Near Rochester in Fulton County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Polke House

Photographed By Courtesy:: Carly C. Kindig, September 5, 2010

1. William Polke House Marker

(Click on any of these photos to see the details.)

Inscription. Built in 1834 by William Polke, first white settler in Fulton County, this is the oldest and first frame house in the county and the first frame house built north of Wabash River. It was called the White House and was a stagecoach inn on the Michigan Road.

Born in 1775, Polke was captured when 7 years old and held prisoner by Indians for over a year. He was wounded in Battle of Tippecanoe 1811, served in Indiana Territorial House of Representatives and in first State Senate, member of convention that wrote first Indiana constitution 1816, and with brother-in-law Isaac McCoy was missionary to Indians 1824-25.

In 1829 Polke was appointed commissioner for sale of Michigan Road lands, coming to Fulton County in 1830 to survey. In 1831 on south bank of Tippecanoe, Polke built a log cabin and trading post, in which was Chippeway post office, making him first postmaster in county. In 1834 Polke helped lay out the town of Plymouth.

In 1838 Gen. John Tipton had charge of removing Potawatomi Indians from northern Indiana to Kansas, the infamous Trail of Death. At the Indiana state line, Tipton left Polke in charge of the march. Polke befriended the Indians in every way he could.

Polke moved to Fort Wayne in 1841 to be registrar of land office there, where he died in 1843.

Erected

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1976 by Polke's Descendents, Fulton County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Potawatomi Trail of Death series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 41° 6.522′ N, 86° 14.468′ W. Marker is near Rochester, Indiana, in Fulton County. Marker is on U.S. 31 south of County Road W 375 N, on the right when traveling south. Located in the Fulton County Museum grounds just south/west of the large Museum building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 E 375 N Rochester, Indiana, Rochester IN 46975, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Father Petit and the Potawatomi 'Trail of Death' (within shouting distance of this marker); Fulton County War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michigan Road (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of Indian Village Chippewa-Nung (approx. 1.1 miles away); William Polke Trading Post (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Underground Railroad (approx. 3.2 miles away); Ga bgojwébnegéjuk Mural (approx. 3.3 miles away); W. W. I War Memorial (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

Also see . . .

Obverse View - - William Polke House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Carly C. Kindig, September 5, 2010

2. Obverse View - - William Polke House Marker

1. "William Polke House / Stagecoach Inn"::. (Courtesy of Official Web-Site "Potawatomi - Trail of Death Association" Shirley Willard / Rochester, Indiana.) This article has other details and a photo of re-enactors. (Submitted on September 6, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

2. History and More Items:. This Official Web-site of the "Potawatomi Trail of Death Association" (Shirley Willard / Rochester, Indiana) is the center of activity and information - with many excellent links. (Submitted on September 6, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

3. Official Web Site - - Foulton County Historical Society::. (Submitted on September 6, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Looking North - - William Polke House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Carly C. Kindig, September 5, 2010

3. Looking North - - William Polke House Marker

William Polke House -and- Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Carly C. Kindig, September 5, 2010

4. William Polke House -and- Marker

"Fulton County Museum" - - from the Polke House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Carly C. Kindig, September 5, 2010

5. "Fulton County Museum" - - from the Polke House

"Fulton County Museum" - - toward the Polke House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Carly C. Kindig, September 5, 2010

6. "Fulton County Museum" - - toward the Polke House

The Polke House and marker can be seen to the left of the Fulton County Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,162 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 6, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.