Streeterville in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Discoverers

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

1. The Discoverers Marker

Inscription. Jolliet, Father Marquette, La Salle and Tonti will live in American history as fearless explorers who made their way through the Great Lakes and across this watershed to the Mississippi in the late seventeenth century and typify the spirit of brave adventure which has always been firmly planted in the character of the middle west.
Presented to the city by
William Wrigley Jr. 1928

Erected 1928 by William Wrigley Jr.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration.

Location. 41° 53.354′ N, 87° 37.443′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Streeterville. It is at the intersection of North Michigan Avenue and The River Esplanade on North Michigan Avenue. On the Northeast tower of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louis Jolliet & Père Jacques Marquette (a few steps from this marker); Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable (a few steps from this marker); The Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Bay Road (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bridges of Chicago

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Regeneration (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Catherine and Jean-Baptiste Point du Sable (about 300 feet away); Chicago River Wildlife (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Chicago's Architectural Landmarks (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . The Discoverers. Smithsonian Institution Research Information System.
“This relief portrays French explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette, who determined in 1678 that Chicago was the site of the passage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River system, and Rene Robert Cavelier - Sieur de La Salle, and his lieutenant, Henri de Tonti, who explored the entire Mississippi River area between 1679 and 1682. Although Marquette was a Jesuit priest, he is depicted in the robes of a Franciscan monk. There is a profile of a kneeling indian in the foreground. An allegorical female figure floats above the more boldly carved, Beaux-Arts figure group. This relief is one of four located on the Michigan Avenue bridge pylons.” — SIRIS (Submitted on November 5, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

2. The Discoverers Marker

The Discoverers by James Earle Fraser image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

3. The Discoverers by James Earle Fraser

J. E. Fraser Sculptor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

4. J. E. Fraser Sculptor

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 913 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.