Near Millstadt in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Homer F. Stemler Memorial Walking Trail

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 10, 2026

1. Homer F. Stemler Memorial Walking Trail Marker

Inscription.
This nature trail was officially completed in October 2006. The Stemler family emigrated from Nordenstadt Germany in 1832. This trail traverses much of the original family homestead, and the first family home, a log cabin, can still be seen just off Stemler Road. This area also includes Stemler Cave. The world's only known populations of the Illinois cave amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes) are in parts of the Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois, including the Stemler cave system.

Homer was an avid outdoorsman who involved his friends and family in various outdoor pursuits. He especially loved to spend time in these woods, enjoying the serenity and beauty provided by the flora and fauna natural to the local area. He enjoyed showing this area to young and old alike so they could feel the tranquility and experience the viewing of wildlife and nature relatively undefiled by civilization. He also believed he had a duty and responsibility to protect and preserve this natural environment and beauty for the enjoyment of future generations. Family and friends understood this dedication and, upon Homer's death, donated funds

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to the Illinois Conservation Foundation to support development of this trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is October 2006.

Location. 38° 27.946′ N, 90° 9.28′ W. Marker is near Millstadt, Illinois, in St. Clair County. It can be reached from Stemler Road. Marker is on a nature trail, about 50 feet from the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 Stemler Rd, Millstadt IL 62260, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Memorial in honor of our sons and daughters

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 10, 2026

2. Homer F. Stemler Memorial Walking Trail Marker

(approx. 2.6 miles away); Milepost 630 (approx. 2.7 miles away); South Metter Whistle Post (approx. 2.7 miles away); Columbia Depot (approx. 2.7 miles away); Corporation Line Sign (approx. 2.7 miles away); South Meter Whistle Stop (approx. 2.7 miles away); Columbia/Waterloo Road Whistle Post (approx. 2.7 miles away); Eichmuller-Rau Building (approx. 2.7 miles away).

Regarding Homer F. Stemler Memorial Walking Trail. Stemler (1940-2002) was also a steelworker in Granite City, as well as preserving nearby Baltz Cemetery (also known as Salem Cemetery).

The reserve is a hiking spot with three different nature trails. There is a small parking lot where the start of the trail is.

Also see . . . Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve Area. From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' website. (Submitted on July 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.