Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Israel Blodgett House

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 3, 2026

1. The Israel Blodgett House Marker

Inscription. Built in 1846, this home of Israel and Avis Blodgett is believed to have been an active stop on the Underground Railroad with Israel as a Conductor. Having settled in Downers Grove in 1836, the family was very active in the Abolitionist Movement and advocated for the freedom of enslaved peoples.

Erected 2023 by Illinois State Daughters of American Colonists.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 41° 47.548′ N, 88° 0.326′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Maple Avenue east of Lyman Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The house and marker on are on the grounds of the Downers Grove Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 831 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove IL 60515, 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, 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: Israel and Avis Blodgett (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); 1846 Blodgett House (within shouting distance of this marker); 1892 Blodgett House (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Blodgett (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); 1832 Log Cabin Footprint (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Downers Grove Park District Museum Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); The Indian Boundary Line (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

Regarding The Israel Blodgett House. Built in 1846, the home is one of the oldest existing buildings in Northern Illinois. The house is included on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Also see . . . Israel Blodgett biography. From the Downers Grove Historical Society. (Submitted on June 4, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 3, 2026

2. The Israel Blodgett House Marker

The Israel Blodgett House at the Downers Grove Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 3, 2026

3. The Israel Blodgett House at the Downers Grove Museum

Close-ups of Avis and Israel Blodgett from a different historical marker nearby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

4. Close-ups of Avis and Israel Blodgett from a different historical marker nearby

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 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.