Kankakee River State Park in Bourbonnais in Kankakee County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chief Shawannassee

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

1. Chief Shawannassee Marker

Inscription. By late summer in 1838, the last of the Potawatomi left the valley of the Kankakee for their home west of the Mississippi. However, Chef Shawannassee did not leave this "Wonderful Land" (Ti-yar-ack-nauk) he lived in for so many years. He died in 1834.

The chief was buried above ground in a sitting, position facing west and surrounded by a pen of split logs which was three feet wide and long. A hole of about three inches was cut in the west side. Inside the pen was his rifle, tomahawk, scalping knife, pipes, pouch of tabacco, a brass kettle, and blankets. These articles were placed beside him so he could enjoy the same good fortune in his spirit world that he enjoyed while living in the Kankakee area.

Soon after the family left, most of his articles were reportedly stolen by a Frenchman named Joseph Chabonier. The remains were buried and marked with a large boulder inscribed with Shawannassee's name and date that all of the Potawatomi left the area. This boulder is in the approximate location of his actual burial site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 41° 13.132′

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N, 87° 58.854′ W. Marker is in Bourbonnais, Illinois, in Kankakee County. It is in Kankakee River State Park. It can be reached from 5000W (County Route 7) near 7000N, on the right when traveling south. The marker can be found on the Shawannassee Trail, inside Kankakee River State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bourbonnais IL 60914, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rockville Illinois (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bourbonnais Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.3 miles away); Bourbonnais Grove (approx. 6.4 miles away); Dedicated to the Memory (approx. 6.4 miles away); Jardin aux Potages (approx. 6½ miles away); A Night of Tragedy and Heroism (approx. 6.9 miles away); Noël Le Vasseur (approx. 6.9 miles away); Donald H. and Faith N. Bell West Campus (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bourbonnais.

More about this marker. Reaching the marker requires a hike of about half a mile west on the Shawannassee Trail from the parking lot off of 5000N (County Route 7). Alternately, it can be reached via an approximately two-mile hike on the Rock Creek trail, which starts at the north parking lot near the park entrance off of Illinois Route 102.

The marker and Shawannassee's boulder are a short distance from Rock Creek, a tributary that connects

Chief Shawannassee Marker and his gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

2. Chief Shawannassee Marker and his gravesite

The boulder, erected in 1920, is engraved with "Shau-wa-na-see 1838." The reason for the peculiar spelling is unknown, as is the date. Shawannassee died in 1834, and the Native American village that was located near this site was abandoned around 1836.

with the Kankakee River about 2 meandering miles south of this spot.

Regarding Chief Shawannassee. After their defeat in the Black Hawk War, Native American tribes in Northern Illinois were forced west by the terms of the Treaty of Chicago. Almost all had left the region by 1840.

Also see . . .
1. Shawanassee’s Village. This article from the Kankakee County Museum examines the life and legacy of Chief Shawannassee, including his burial site and this marker along his namesake trail inside Kankakee River State Park.

Excerpt: "In 1920, the Kankakee County Historical Society placed a large boulder in Kankakee River State Park, as a monument to mark the location of the village and the chief’s burial place. The boulder, approximately three feet in height, bears the inscription, 'Chief Shau-wa-na-see, 1838.' [The spelling 'Shau' is a bit of a mystery, since 'Shaw' is normally widely used. Also a mystery is the date 1838—the chief died in 1834, and the remaining residents of the village departed in 1836.]"

(Submitted on June 4, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Pioneer History by Richard C. Schmal: Chief Shawanassee.

Excerpt: "Along with two other Chiefs, Shabbona and Pontiac, Shawanassee shares the most lasting renown of any of the Pottawatomie
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

3. Chief Shawannassee's boulder on the Shawannassee Trail
Rock Creek is a short distance away (and a roughly 10-foot drop) from the trail, which is part of Kankakee State Park.
leaders who lived in Kankakee County. His village was one of the largest and the oldest in the state, and he was one of the most noble, powerful and humane representatives of his race."

(Submitted on June 4, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.