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

Historical and Arts Building Governor Small Memorial

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

1. Historical and Arts Building Governor Small Memorial Marker

Inscription. As governor of the State of Illinois from 1921 to 1929 Len Small was known as the "Good Roads Governor," for the Illinois Waterway Project, for an expanding public welfare program, and for his extensive interests in agriculture.

Erected 1948 by State of Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 41° 6.744′ N, 87° 52.716′ W. Marker is in Kankakee, Illinois, in Kankakee County. It is on 8th Avenue near Water Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is at 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 and memorial is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Governor Len Small (here, next to this marker); Central School Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor One-Room Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Baker School Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Let Freedom Ring Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Day Order (within shouting distance of this marker); Columns of the Eastern Illinois Trust and Savings Bank (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.

Regarding Historical and Arts Building Governor Small Memorial. Len Small is one of three Kankakee men to serve as governor of Illinois. Born in Kankakee, Small attended school in Valparaiso, Indiana, before returning as an adult to own a farm as well as the local newspaper, The Daily Journal. Small twice served as the state treasurer before winning election as governor in 1920.

Markers about Governor Len Small image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

2. Markers about Governor Len Small

Two markers about Len Small adorn this building.

Small's two four-year terms were riddled with accusations of corruption, and he became the first Illinois governor arrested while in office. (The feat would not be repeated until Rod Blagojevich was arrested in 2008.) Six months after his election, he was indicted on charges of embezzling more than 1 million dollars during his stint as treasurer; although he was acquitted, accusations of tampering followed him after eight of the jurors were given state jobs. He was later convicted in a civil case. He died in 1936 and is buried at Mound Grove Cemetery in Kankakee. The land here, southwest of downtown Kankakee, was later acquired in his honor to be used as a park and is now home to the Kankakee County Museum.

Also see . . . The 12 Most Corrupt Public Officials In Illinois History: Len Small.

Excerpt: “According to the unflattering biography Len Small: Governors and Gangsters, by Jim Ridings, 'Len Small sold thousands of pardons and paroles as governor, including pardons to gangsters, murderers, white slavers and even cop killers. Some were sold by Len Small and his emissaries to AL CAPONE and to other mobsters.'”

(Submitted on June 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Kankakee County Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

3. Kankakee County Museum

Governor Small on a horse in downtown Chicago image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, May 1927

4. Governor Small on a horse in downtown Chicago

Governor Small tips his hat while riding on a horse in a 1927 Decoration Day parade in downtown Chicago.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.