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

The Pioneers

By Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

1. The Pioneers Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

John Kinzie, fur trader, settled near this spot in the early years of the nineteenth century. One of a band of courageous pioneers — who with their lives at stake — struggled through the wilderness, breaking soil for the seeds of a future civilization.
Presented to the city by
William Wrigley Jr. 1928

Erected 1928.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 53.358′ N, 87° 37.468′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is on North Michigan Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Green Bay Road (here, next to this marker); Louis Jolliet & Père Jacques Marquette (within shouting distance of this marker); The Discoverers (within shouting distance of this marker); Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable (within shouting distance of this marker); Catherine and Jean-Baptiste Point du Sable

By Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

2. The Pioneers Marker

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle (about 300 feet away); Regeneration (about 300 feet away); Chicago River (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

The Pioneers by James Earle Fraser, 1928 image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

3. The Pioneers by James Earle Fraser, 1928

“This relief depicts early settler John Kinzie, a fur trader, who purchased his log cabin in 1804 from Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable while leading a group through the wilderness. An allegorical classical female figure floats above the more boldly carved figure group. This relief is one of four installed on the Michigan Avenue bridge pylons.” — SIRIS

Kinzie Cabin and Fort Dearborn image. Click for full size.

Wikipedia, November 3, 2015

4. Kinzie Cabin and Fort Dearborn

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.