Alton in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Legend of the Piasa

Photographed by Larry Senalik, October 3, 2015

1. The Legend of the Piasa Marker

Inscription. In 1673 Jacques Marquette reported that he and fellow French explorer Louis Jolliet discovered a Painting of what was probably two "Water Monsters" on the bluffs of the Mississippi River near present day Alton. By 1700 those pictographic creatures were no longer visible. In 1836 the novelist John Russell described an image cut into the bluff of a legendary dragon-like creature with wings. The creature was called Piasa, "The Bird That Devours Men." That version of the pictograph as well as myths about the Piasa have become prominent in folklore.

Erected 1984 by The Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1673.

Location. 38° 53.876′ N, 90° 11.954′ W. Marker is in Alton, Illinois, in Madison County. It is on Illinois Route 100, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Piasa Park, in front of the painting. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Division St, Alton IL 62002, 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 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 Soybeans Planted in Illinois, 1851 (approx. half a mile away); Units Guarding the Alton Military Prison (approx.

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0.7 miles away); Lovejoy Assassination Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); Those Who Remain (approx. 0.7 miles away); Prisoners at Alton Military Prison (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Alton Military Prison (approx. 0.7 miles away); The First Illinois State Penitentiary (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ruins of First State Prison in Illinois (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alton.

Also see . . . Piasa on Wikipedia. The Piasa (pronounced pie-uh-saw) Bird has been a local legend for more than two centuries. (Submitted on June 12, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Larry Senalik, October 3, 2015

2. The Legend of the Piasa Marker

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 12, 2025

3. The Legend of the Piasa Marker

marker is on the left by the small building.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2015, by Larry Senalik of Pleasant Plains, Illinois. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2015, by Larry Senalik of Pleasant Plains, Illinois. 3. submitted on June 12, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.