Naperville in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Scott Settlement

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 18, 2026

1. Scott Settlement Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1830 by Stephen J. Scott, his wife, Hadassah, son, Willard Sr., and other children in the family.

While on a hunting trip with his son Willard Sr., Stephen J. Scott discovered the DuPage River near what is now Plainfield. Impressed with the beauty and fertility of the surrounding country, he explored the river as far as the confluence of its east and west branches, now called "the forks." Enamored with the beauty of the area, he soon resolved this would become his future home.

Formerly a part of Cook County, this area was divided into its present day county boundaries in 1839. Bailey Hobson, the first white settler in what is now DuPage County (1831), stayed with the Scott family while he built his cabin and mill at the location of what is now Pioneer Park on Washington Street and Hobson Road in Naperville. Willard Scott Jr. was born in the settlement in 1835. The Scott family moved to Naperville in 1837 and built DuPage County’s, first hotel in 1838, first department store in 1842, and first banking house in 1854.

The subsequent owners of this land, Irene Mae Knoch and Win G. Knoch, were conscious of the

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historic background of the property, not only as the original Scott settlement but also because various artifacts found on the property indicated that an Indian village existed prior to the Scott acquisition. Throughout the time the Knochs owned the property it was used freely by their family their many friends and numerous organizations as a site for picnics and outings. Motivated by these historic and recreational aspects, the Knochs were convinced that the highest and best use of the property was by the public for recreational purposes, and for this reason made a gift of said property to the Naperville Park District of DuPage and Will Counties, Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 41° 42.745′ N, 88° 8.421′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in Will County. It is on Knoch Knolls Road 1.2 miles east of 95th Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is in Knoch Knolls Park, near the Rus Pavilion. Touch for map.

Two markers about the Scott Settlement image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 18, 2026

2. Two markers about the Scott Settlement

Marker is at or near this postal address: 336 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville IL 60565, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Claim on the Confluence (here, next to this marker); Knoch Knolls Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Where the Rivers Meet (within shouting distance of this marker); Not Prairie, Not Woods (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Are You Curious About the River? (about 400 feet away); The Land Where the Rivers Meet (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Where the Rivers Meet (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Where the Rivers Meet (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

More about this marker.

A view of the Scott Settlement site from across the DuPage River's West Branch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 18, 2026

3. A view of the Scott Settlement site from across the DuPage River's West Branch

A separate marker erected by the Naperville Park District is immediately next to this plaque.

Regarding Scott Settlement. As referenced on a different historical marker nearby that was erected by the Naperville Park District, Stephen Scott, in addition to his early settlement of the DuPage River basin, is also considered the first settler in Evanston. Around 1826, he claimed land along Lake Michigan called Grosse Point (modern Evanston and Wilmette), but left three years later after learning his claim was no longer valid.

Willard Scott Jr. would go on to be one of Naperville's early leaders, including serving two terms as mayor in the 1890s.

Also see . . . Businessman, soldier, first fire marshal, village trustee, treasurer, and mayor. Positively Naperville looks at the life of Willard Scott Jr., who was born on the Scott Settlement in 1835. (Submitted on August 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The confluence of the east and west branches of the DuPage River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 18, 2026

4. The confluence of the east and west branches of the DuPage River

The location of "The Forks" is a roughly one-mile hike southwest from this marker. In this southwest-facing photo, the east branch on the left merges with the west branch on the right. The DuPage River then travels south another 25 miles or so until feeding into the Des Plaines River near Channahon.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.