Near Delavan in Tazewell County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James L. Reid

1844-1910

October 19, 2026

1. James L. Reid Marker

Inscription.
Pioneer corn breeder. A patient and thoughtful man with the temperament of an artist and a mystic. Developed Reid's yellow dent corn on this farm in the last third of the nineteenth century.

This highly productive open pollinated variety was widely adapted, became extensively grown, and was the source of inbred lines used as parents of many present-day hybrids.

Humanity is indebted to James L. Reid and other members of the Reid family for improving America's greatest crop - corn

Erected 1955 by Michigan State College Corn Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 40° 23.649′ N, 89° 31.734′ W. Marker is near Delavan, Illinois, in Tazewell County. It is at the intersection of Springfield Road and Tomm Road (County Road 500N), on the left when traveling south on Springfield Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4999 Springfield Road, Delavan IL 61734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley

and in Greater Peoria.

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It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 5.2 miles away); Tremont Courthouse (approx. 9.1 miles away); Allentown Union Hall (approx. 13.1 miles away); Pendergast Inn (approx. 13.3 miles away); Nance Legins-Costley (approx. 13.6 miles away); Tazewell County Remembers (approx. 13.6 miles away); Pvt. William Henry Costley (approx. 13.6 miles away); a different marker also named Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 13.6 miles away).

James L. Reid Marker, facing east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Annie Mathers, October 19, 2026

2. James L. Reid Marker, facing east

James L. Reid monument, reverse side marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Annie Mathers, October 19, 2026

3. James L. Reid monument, reverse side marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on October 19, 2026. 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2026, by Annie Mathers of Cook County, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.