St. Elmo in Fayette County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
American Indians Uses of the Buffalo
Photographed by Thomas Smith, January 4, 2026
1. American Indians Uses of the Buffalo Marker
Horns
Stone chipping tools Handles Pipes Arrow tips Digging/scraping tools War clubs Fasteners Decorative items
Muscles
Sinew for bows threads, etc. Glue
Buckskin
Clothing Moccasins Pipe bags Quivers Shelter covers Toys Bedding
Meat
Food (every part eaten by man or dog) Jerky
Hair
Headresses Ornaments for clothing Padding for pillows and balls Paint brushes Tail for decorations
Hoofs
Glue Rattles Decoration
Rawhide
Containers Shields Moccasin soles Rattles Drums Saddles Cases, pouches Ropes Quirts Fasteners glue
Bones
Knives Shovels (shoulder bone) Needles and awls Scraper Arrow Arrow straighteners Game pieces Musical instruments War clubs Tools and fasteners of all types Skulls for ceremony Marrow for food Fertilizer fish bones)
Internal Organs
Brain for tanning Bladder pouches Stomach pouches Stomach contents for medicines Intestines for sinew Tongues, heart, liver (choice food)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals •
this page online
Location. 39° 0.817′ N, 88° 51.297′ W. Marker is in St. Elmo, Illinois, in Fayette County. It is on West Tower Road 0.3 miles east of Interstate Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 702 W Tower Rd, Saint Elmo IL 62458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central 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: Tipi (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.
Photographed by Thomas Smith, January 4, 2026
2. American Indians Uses of the Buffalo 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 50 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.
