Oswego in Kendall County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fox River Fording

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2025

1. Fox River Fording Marker

Inscription. Until 1848
Fox River Fording

Erected 1978 by Oswego Township.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 41° 41.12′ N, 88° 21.091′ W. Marker is in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County. It can be reached from Main Street west of Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north. The stone is behind the Veterans Plaza near the Oswego Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32 Jefferson Street, Oswego IL 60543, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mexican-American War (here, next to this marker); American Revolutionary War

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(a few steps from this marker); American Civil War (a few steps from this marker); War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); World War I (a few steps from this marker); Spanish-American War (a few steps from this marker); World War II (a few steps from this marker); Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oswego.

More about this marker. The stone is in the grass, visible on a pathway from Main Street to Hudson Crossing Park.

Regarding Fox River Fording. This marker behind the Oswego library overlooks Waubonsie Creek, which empties a short distance west of here into the Fox River. This spot was a popular location for fording the Fox River in pre-railroad times.

Also see . . . Oswego History. From the Little School House Museum.

Excerpt: "Downtown east side of Main Street 1875 – Located about 50 miles west of Chicago at the confluence of Waubonsie Creek and the Fox River in Kendall County, Oswego was settled, at least in part, for its transportation potential. A limestone shelf creates a natural, smooth-bottomed, ford across the river just above
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2025

2. Fox River Fording Marker
The stone sits above Waubonsie Creek, which empties a short distance west (left) of here into the Fox River.
the mouth of the creek, making it a favored crossing first for Native Americans and then for the American settlers who began arriving in the 1830s."

(Submitted on May 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Fording boulder near war history markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2025

3. Fording boulder near war history markers

The boulder can be seen on the left side of this photo, behind some markers related to America's major military engagements. The Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.