Schaumburg in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Merkle Homestead
1938-1979
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 6, 2026
1. Merkle Homestead Marker
Alice Remien Merkle 1889-1920
and our parents
Leona Voris Merkle 1900-1966
and
Frank Peter Merkle 1888-1977
Captain, Battery B, 7th Regiment
U.S. Field Artillery 1918
Erected by Barbara, Peter and William Merkle.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 42° 1.501′ N, 88° 3.301′ W. Marker is in Schaumburg, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Schaumburg Road (County Route A66) half a mile west of Meacham Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is northwest of the Merkle Cabin at Spring Valley, near the pond. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1111 East Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg IL 60193, 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 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: A Cabin in the Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); Letting in the Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Bur Oak (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Hazelnut (about 400 feet away); Welcome to the Farm! (about 400 feet away); Ironwood
this page online
More about this marker. The cabin and its marker can be accessed by hiking about ½ mile west from the Spring Valley Nature Center, or alternately about a Ό mile east from the Volkening Heritage Farm.
Regarding Merkle Homestead. Frank Merkle acquired this land, including the nearby log cabin, from the family of John Redeker, who had opened a peony farm on the site but died suddenly at age 30 in 1930. According to a nearby marker about the cabin, the Merkle family continued to tend the peony beds but primarily used the cabin as a weekend retreat.
Also see . . . Spring Valley and the Merkle Family Who Lived There. This blog post from the Schaumburg Township District Library includes excerpts from a book by Frank Merkle's son William. (Submitted on June 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 6, 2026
2. Merkle Homestead Marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 6, 2026
3. Merkle Cabin at Spring Valley
The stone section of the building on the right was added by the Merkle family, which acquired the land from Redeker's family after his death.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 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 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
