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

Chicago River

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

1. Chicago River Marker

Inscription. This river originally flowing eastward from the prairie home lands of the Potawatomi and other Indian tribes into Lake Michigan, linked the waters of the Atlantic, the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes with those of the Illinois, the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. From 1673, commerce and civilization followed this natural waterway from the seaboard to the heart of the continent.

The strategic importance to early American development of the junction of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan led to the establishment here of Fort Dearborn and to the founding of the City of Chicago Erected in 1953 to the memory of those pioneers who plied this water route.

Erected 1953 by Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1673.

Location. 41° 53.306′ N, 87° 37.476′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is at the intersection of North Michigan Avenue and East Wacker Drive on North Michigan Avenue. The marker is located on the southeast corner of the Michigan Street Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60601, 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

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within walking distance of this marker: Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle (here, next to this marker); Fort Dearborn (here, next to this marker); Site of Fort Dearborn (a few steps from this marker); Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade (a few steps from this marker); The Bridges of Chicago (within shouting distance of this marker); Regeneration (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Fort Dearborn (within shouting distance of this marker); Kin Link, 2023 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

2. Chicago River Marker

The marker is over the door

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

3. Chicago River Marker

Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Illinois - 1849 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

4. Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Illinois - 1849

1607 - 1775

The Chicago River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 4, 2012

5. The Chicago River

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,320 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on November 12, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 5, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.