Hinckley in DeKalb County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Site of the First Permanent Settlement in DeKalb County
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 24, 2025
1. Site of the First Permanent Settlement in DeKalb County Marker
Site of first permanent settlement of DeKalb County, by John S. Sebree 1834. Erected by D.A.R. and DeKalb County, 1917
182 Ft. West
Erected 1917 by Daughters of the American Revolutin; DeKalb County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. 41° 46.128′ N, 88° 39.008′ W. Marker is in Hinckley, Illinois, in DeKalb County. It is on Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 30) 0.1 miles east of Somonauk Road (County Route 10), on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Pioneer Park, facing Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 30) near the park's entry driveway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hinckley IL 60520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois. 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Golden Age of Bands (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lester Howard Wade (approx. 0.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); William H. Rissman (approx. 0.6 miles away); Irving Wade (approx. 0.6 miles away); Welcome to Hinckley (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bicentennial Grove
this page online
Regarding Site of the First Permanent Settlement in DeKalb County. DeKalb County was carved out of Kane County in 1837, about two years after Sebree settled here. The county seat is Sycamore, about 15 miles north of here.
Also see . . .
1. Hinckley history. From the village's official site
Excerpt: "The Village of Hinckley has a rich and proud history. In the 1830's, a Mr. Hollenbeck (who lived near Ottawa) was traveling the then-unsettled territory. He found a fine grove of trees west of the present-day Hinckley, and named the grove after the squaws who were tending camp. Back in Ottawa, word spread of the undeveloped land, and in the spring of 1835, John Sebree built a log house. The next year saw more families come to the area, and soon a small town was started at the west edge of what is now Hinckley. The town's name was Squaw Grove."(Submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. John S. Sebree (Find a Grave). Sebree is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Hinckley. The listing for Sebree includes a history of his settlement in the Hinckley
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 24, 2025
2. Site of the First Permanent Settlement in DeKalb County Marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 24, 2025
3. Pioneer Park
Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 30) is visible on the far left of this west-facing photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
