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

The Village of Iroquois Calaboose

The Bunkum Jail

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 11, 2016

1. The Village of Iroquois Calaboose Marker

Inscription.
Built in Nov. 1881, according to history, the jail was built because a second saloon was coming to “Bunkum”. The town fathers decided a “cooler” was needed for “wicked people who came from other places to disturb the peace”. The following month it was said “nobody has tried the calaboose yet. We think it is a very unnecessary arrangement, unless it is used for an ornament.”

Village board in 1881 David Ely, President E. Simpson, village clerk Andrew Tyler James Karr Henry Getchel Wm. Tolbert John Salkeld village board in 1993 Jack Karr, Mayor Ed Armold, village clerk Katherine Fry, treasurer Dean Williamson Charles Wessels Mel Obenland Les Regnier Sonny Beckman Bob Danials the jail was moved from Lincoln St. to Dunning Park, Sept. 1993 by Butch Garrets & Company of Buckley, Illinois donors (list of 29 names, persons and businesses)

Erected 1993.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1881.

Location. 40° 49.658′ N, 87° 34.882′ W. Marker is in Iroquois, Illinois, in Iroquois County. It is on North Main Street (U.S. 52) near East Lincoln Avenue (County Route 2150N), on the right when traveling north. Marker is in Dunning Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Iroquois IL 60945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Concord Township (a few steps from this marker); Gurdon S. Hubbard Trading Post (approx. 0.7 miles away); Prairie Dell Meeting House (approx. 3.3 miles away); Newton County Home (approx. 6.4 miles away in Indiana); Site of Original "Pun'kin Vine Fair" (approx. 6.4 miles away in Indiana); First Church in Newton County (approx. 6.8 miles away in Indiana); Warren T. McCray (approx. 7.8 miles away in Indiana); Bicentennial Time Capsule (approx. 8.2 miles away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iroquois.

Another marker is no longer nearby. State Line Survey (was approx. 4.9 miles away in Indiana but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 11, 2016

2. The Village of Iroquois Calaboose Marker

Full view of marker

The Village of Iroquois Calaboose image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 11, 2016

3. The Village of Iroquois Calaboose

The jail, with the marker to the right

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,826 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 30, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.