Evanston in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Site of First Log School

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 23, 2026

1. Site of First Log School Marker

Inscription. In 1841 Henry Clark sold to the Town of Ridgeville the land which is now the corner of Ridge Avenue and Greenleaf Street to be used as a burial place and schoolhouse site. The logs were cut from the adjoining land. This schoolhouse which also served as a preaching place for the earliest pioneers of Evanston was in use from 1843 to about 1864.

Erected by The Evanston Colony of the National Society of New England Women.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 42° 2.28′ N, 87° 41.271′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Ridge Avenue north of Greenleaf Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Ridge Avenue, Evanston IL 60202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Memorial Elm (approx. half a mile away); The Battle Cloister (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sustainable Infrastructure (approx. 0.6 miles away); PolioPlus (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Chandler's Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fountain Square Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.7 miles away); Northwestern University's First Building (approx. ¾ mile away); Native Plants (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.

Also see . . .
1. The History of Evanston School Buildings. From the Evanston History Center Resources website. (Submitted on May 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Lost Towns of Chicago: Grosse Pointe and Ridgevill. From the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal.

Excerpt: "[Edward] Mulford built a log house on the west side of the ridge opposite of where Calvary Cemetery now stands - known as 'No Man's Land.'
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 23, 2026

2. Site of First Log School Marker at 1100 Ridge Ave.
At that time, there was nothing located between these two areas; although, they were some distance away. Because of the Frogtown swamp, the cemetery was only visible from Mulford’s house when the water was at its lowest. Mr. Edward Mulford had come west at the age of 42 to engage in the jewelry business with his sons. Mulford bought his two full sections of government land at the usual price of $1.25 an acre and named this area Ridgevill [commonly spelled Ridgeville]."

(Submitted on May 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.