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

Mexican-American War

(1846-1848)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2025

1. Mexican-American War Marker

Inscription. The Mexican-American War lasted from 1846 until 1848. Border disputes along the Rio Grande River with Mexico, and the granting of statehood to Texas were the main causes of the war. President James Polk requested a declaration of war and Congress declared war on May 13, 1846. Most of the formal fighting effectively ended in October 1847, soon after General Winfield Scott and his forces had stormed Mexico City. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in February 1848 in which Mexico, surrendered a vast tract of land to the United States for the sum $15 million. Eventually the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and California were added to the United States from this tract of land.

Total American casualties were 17,500.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 41° 41.118′ N, 88° 21.095′ W. Marker is in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County. It can be reached from Main Street. The marker

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is behind the Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza, on a pathway towards the Fox River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Main St, 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: American Civil War (here, next to this marker); War of 1812 (here, next to this marker); American Revolutionary War (here, next to this marker); Fox River Fording (here, next to this marker); Spanish-American War (here, next to this marker); World War I (a few steps from this marker); World War II (a few steps from this marker); Korean Conflict (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oswego.

Also see . . . Kendall County Men Who Served in the Mexican War.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2025

2. Mexican-American War Marker

The Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza is in the rear of the photo.

This Kendall County, Illinois, genealogy site lists 32 men from the county who served in the Mexican War, most for the 2nd Illinois Volunteer Regiment. One Kendall County man, Edwin Field, died of wounds suffered in battle. (Submitted on May 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Historical markers about American wars on the pathway behind Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2025

3. Historical markers about American wars on the pathway behind Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.