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

Baker School Bell

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

1. Baker School Bell Marker

Inscription. Although it was only two miles east of the Kankakee County Courthouse, the Baker School was a "country schoolhouse" when it opened in 1879. It was located on the Baker Family farm on the south side of what is now Court Street. The one-room frame building was replaced by a brick structure in 1913. This bell was rung five times each day by tugging on a long rope stretching up to a wooden belfry atop the building.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 41° 6.764′ N, 87° 52.737′ W. Marker is in Kankakee, Illinois, in Kankakee County. It is on South 8th Avenue near Water Street, on the right when traveling south. The bell is on the grounds of the Kankakee County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 South 8th Avenue, Kankakee IL 60901, 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

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Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Taylor One-Room Schoolhouse (a few steps from this marker); Central School Bell (a few steps from this marker); Columns of the Eastern Illinois Trust and Savings Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Day Order (within shouting distance of this marker); Let Freedom Ring Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical and Arts Building Governor Small Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Len Small (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Bird Park Quarry (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kankakee.

More about this marker. Another school bell, from Central School, can be found nearby in this garden outside the Kankakee History Museum.

Regarding Baker School Bell. Neither

Baker School Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

2. Baker School Bell

the exact location of Baker School nor the date of the its closing could be immediately found in online archives.

Baker School Bell on the campus of the Kankakee History Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

3. Baker School Bell on the campus of the Kankakee History Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.