St. Elmo in Fayette County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Tipi

Photographed by Thomas Smith, January 4, 2026

1. Tipi Marker

Inscription.
Traditional homes of the Plains Indians: Many of the Plains Tribes used the tipi, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapahoes, Kiowa, Crow, Gros Ventres, Mandans, and Pawnees. The tipi belonged to the woman of the family, and it was her job to set it up and take it down at each campsite. The Plains Indians were constantly on the move following the great buffalo herds. When not assembled, tipis were compact and lightweight, making them easy to move from place to place. To move it the ends of two of the tipi poles were lashed to a dog or a horse. The other end dragged along the ground, forming a Travois, on which the buffalo coverings and the family's other possesions were tied.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Buildings.

Location. 39° 0.812′ N, 88° 51.301′ W. Marker is in St. Elmo, Illinois, in Fayette County. It is on West Tower Road (at milepost 0.1) east of Interstate Drive, on the right. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central

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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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: American Indians Uses of the Buffalo (a few steps from this marker); The Hogan (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); St. Elmo Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Elmo (approx. 0.7 miles away); Freedom is not Free (approx. 5.1 miles away); Brownstown (approx. 5.4 miles away); In Memory of Sgt. Roger Ledbetter (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Elmo.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, January 4, 2026

2. Tipi Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 6, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A better wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?