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

Lake County's First African American Settler

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

1. Lake County's First African American Settler Marker

Inscription. Amos Bennett, Lake County's first African American settler arrived in Gurnee in 1835. Amos and his family were also the first Blacks to settle in Delhi, New York around the year 1799. While in Gurnee, he owned a log cabin near Washington Street and Milwaukee Avenue and property on Dilley's Road near what we know today as Gurnee Mills. He was also known in town for his achievements in medicinal herb healing.

In 1843 he ran for the position of Lake County Commissioner. Although unsuccessful, it made Bennett the first African American to run for public office. A few years later, he partnered with others in the community to purchase land and created the Warren Township Cemetery. The last record of Bennett's life was in 1852 in which he sold his land and paid off his mortgage.

In the early to mid-1900s, the First Migration was a surge in African Americans moving north and west including Illinois and Chicago. Even though some of Bennett's story is lost in history, it could be said that he influenced migration to more progressive areas following the end of slavery.

Erected 2023 by City of Gurnee; Warren Township High

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 42° 22.366′ N, 87° 55.129′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It is on Kilbourne Road north of Old Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in front of the ruins of the Mother Rudd Barn, a short distance north of the Mother Rudd House, which is home to the Warren Township Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4690 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee IL 60031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

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 what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 15 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Lamp of Liberty" (here, next to this

Mother Rudd Barn ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

2. Mother Rudd Barn ruins

The marker on the left is about the barn's use as a stop on the Underground Railroad; the one on the right is about Lake County's first settler, Amos Bennett. Markers inside the ruins discuss the Underground Railroad.

marker); The Mother Rudd Barn (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Mother Rudd Barn (here, next to this marker); Timeline (here, next to this marker); Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Timeline (a few steps from this marker); The Journey (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad in Illinois (a few steps from this marker); Esper A. Petersen (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Legion Post 771 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Logger's Run (approx. ¾ mile away); Aquaman Splashdown (approx. 0.8 miles away); DC Super-Villains Swing (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fiddler's Fling (approx. 0.8 miles away); Great America Scenic Railway (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gurnee.

More about this marker. This marker was added in 2023 to the right of the entry to the ruins of the Mother Rudd Barn. The site also includes several older markers about this site's use as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Another marker honoring Amos Bennett can be found on the Des Plaines River Trail, about ¾ of a mile south of this

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spot. Gurnee Mills, which the marker says is the site of Amos Bennett's home, is about two miles west of this plaque.

Also see . . .
1. Lake County’s first African American settler honored through Gurnee plaque. A 2023 article in the Lake County News-Sun.

Excerpt: "According to a 1993 Chicago Tribune story, Bennett owned and farmed several parcels of land within the Warren Township area. Research on Bennett was conducted by the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, which at the time was known as the Lake County Museum, and based out of Wauconda."

(Submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Amos Bennett, First African-American Settler. The Lake County History blog looks at the relatively recent genealogical work done regarding the life of Amos Bennett, who came to Gurnee in 1835 and is considered Lake County's first African-American settler. Despite prior beliefs that Bennett was merely a "squatter," land records discovered in the 1990s found that Bennett actually owned land here and even ran for political office in the 1840s. As referenced on the plaque, nothing is known about what happened to Bennett after he paid off his mortgage in 1852. (Submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.