One of the original Milestones which marked the Trail from Vincennes to Chicago.
This stone was No. 97 which designated the number of miles from Vincennes. — — Map (db m11658) HM
Plaque One
These Millstones long in the Service
of our Pioneers dedicated to their memory
by the Edgar County Historical Society
1817 - 1927
Plaque Two
From the Lewis Jones Farm near Nevins
presented to
Edgar . . . — — Map (db m23457) HM
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Circa 1924 — — Map (db m226117) HM
The former village of Wanborough, Illinois, was established in August 1818 by English settler and entrepreneur Morris Birkbeck. A center of commerce for his fellow countrymen emigrating to the English settlement in Edwards County, Wanborough once . . . — — Map (db m177846) HM
During the late 1800s, communities on the National Road were watching a new path to prosperity make its way across Illinois. By the time J.W. Conlogue, a superintendent with the St. Louis, Vandalia and Terre Haute Railroad, platted Altamont in 1870, . . . — — Map (db m169991) HM
In 1870, the St. Louis, Vandalia and Terre Haute rail line replaced the National Road as the fastest, most reliable route across Illinois. Drummers, or traveling salesmen, rode the rails from one town to the next.
At the depot, the drummers' . . . — — Map (db m152531) HM
They traveled West by horse and wagon, oxen and Conestoga, and by foot. They represented a staggering assortment of crafts, talents and trades. They emigrated from Germany in search of affordable land, economic opportunity, and political and . . . — — Map (db m152530) HM
Nearly 100 years before Brownstown businesses offered fuel, food, and lodging to motorists following US 40 across America, there was Ezra Griffith and Twin Pumps.
A New York native, Griffith followed the National Road to Fayette County, Ill., . . . — — Map (db m144228) HM
St. Elmo's history is rooted in the dust of a settlement named Howard's Point. Hamlets like Howard's Point relied on the National Road to sustain their businesses.
Some of these small settlements grew into cities. Others faded as their . . . — — Map (db m144229) HM
Born in Pennsylvania. First store keeper in Vandalia for owner, William Kinney. House of Representatives 1828-29. Registrar of Vandalia Land Office. State Bank Commissioner 1835. — — Map (db m42410) HM
The store of Ebenezer Capps was located just north of this site at the northeast corner of Main and Fourth streets.
The location of Main street is not the same today as when Lincoln was here. Vandalia existed long before the coming of . . . — — Map (db m42486) HM
Born in Hanover. Leader of Colony from Hanover, Germany. Came to Vandalia in 1819 with Frederick Hollman, who remained to build houses. Bearing all expenses, Ernst returned with colonists December, 1820. Director of State Bank, 1821. Trustee of . . . — — Map (db m42380) HM
In 1836 Colonel Abner Flack took over the large three-story frame building which stood here and operated it under the name Vandalia Inn. In 1853-1854 it was the headquarters for Chief Engineer Charles F. Jones, in charge of construction of the . . . — — Map (db m42347) HM
Born in Hanover. Died Feb. 3, 1847. Member of Ernst Colony. Builder and operator of Vandalia Hotel. Merchant. Daughter, Olivia Whiteman, friend of the Abraham Lincoln family, unveiled Madonna of the Trail statue. — — Map (db m42384) HM
In Lincolns first campaign speech on March 9, 1832, he expressed support for internal improvements.
“Time and experience have verified to a demonstration, the public utility of internal improvements. That the poorest and most . . . — — Map (db m42512) HM
The delegation from Sangamon County for the 1836-1837 Session of the legislature quickly became known as the "Long Nine."
The seven representatives and two senators were all six feet or taller. Five were lawyers, three were farmers, and one . . . — — Map (db m42485) HM
Abraham Lincoln traveled past this spot while he served as a state representative in Vandalia. This location marks the route of a road that ran from Vandalia to Springfield, Illinois. Traces of the roadway are still visible today. The roadway . . . — — Map (db m42527) HM
Colonel Robert Blackwell's new two-story frame store and boarding house opened on this site in time for the convening of the Ninth General Assembly on December 1, 1834. He advertised board and lodging for 'thirty or forty.' — — Map (db m144303) HM
John Charters operated a large tavern on this site from the late 1820's to November 1835. Under the name, "Sign of the Green Tree," it was operated by Thomas Redmond until 1838. — — Map (db m144133) HM
Here stood a two-story log building erected in 1819 for Ferdinand Ernst who brought the German colony to Vandalia. Named Union Hall, it was operated as a hotel. After Ernst's death in 1823 it was managed by E.M. Townsend, and from April 1825 by . . . — — Map (db m42363) HM
The Charters Hotel stood on this very site. It was built around 1820 and operated by John Charters until November 1835. At that time it was acquired by Thomas Redmond who operated the establishment under the name of Sign of the Green Tree. . . . — — Map (db m144453) HM
As the Illinois State Capital, Vandalia provided many hotels to serve the needs of legislators and visitors. Vandalia had at least eleven hotels that served the needs of travelers. Whenever a session of the legislature was in progress, these . . . — — Map (db m144134) HM
The Ottawa Travel Road begins in Danville. Of prehistoric origin it was used until the early 1850's. It wandered northwest following higher ground, fording streams and detouring around seasonal obstructions. Here at Ten Mile Grove it divided, one . . . — — Map (db m157152) HM
Jonathan Boone, an older brother of the famous pathfinder Daniel Boone, built a mill on this site about 1800. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1730 and died here about 1808. His son Joseph continued to operate the mill. In 1813 Joseph was named to . . . — — Map (db m177836) HM
This was the original site of the home of John Marshall, one of the founders and president of the Bank of Illinois, the first bank chartered by the Illinois Territorial Legislature. The charter was issued in 1816. The bank opened at Shawneetown in . . . — — Map (db m60312) HM
One of Shawneetown's earliest brick buildings, Rawlings' Hotel, stood on this lot. It was built in 1821-1822 for Moses Rawlings, who owned until 1841. On May 7, 1825, it was the site of a reception held for the Marquis de Lafayette during his visit . . . — — Map (db m154634) HM
The Diamond Mine of the Wilmington Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company, located near Braidwood on the Grundy-Will County line, was the site of a major mine disaster in Illinois.
The mine was on a marshy tract of land that had no natural . . . — — Map (db m6868) HM
Thank you to Bob and Peggy Kraft for donating this Route 66 Hall of Fame streetcar to Gardner.
The Krafts provided years of food, fun and nostalgia at their Riviera Roadhouse located on Route 66. The Riviera unfortunately burned down on June 8, . . . — — Map (db m159247) HM
In 1873 J. H. Hall started a school furniture factory at
this location. The following year the new owner, F. T.
June, built this building and named it Sherwood School
Furniture. Two years later Coleman Hardware moved in.
They made casters and . . . — — Map (db m239277) HM
[panel 1] "...How sweet the recollection, when my children were about me, then I felt I had protection, and no one dared to flout me." Elsie Armstrong wrote an epic poem that records the tragic deaths of four children. It . . . — — Map (db m233211) HM
Built by Max Frank, this building is a prime example of Italianate commercial architecture. In 1905 it was rented by the Morris Post Office. In 1942 it was purchased by the Colonial Furniture Co. — — Map (db m233164) HM
Built by Louis Gebhard, founder of the Gebhard Brewery. The ground floor originally housed Peterson's Grocery, Cronin Hardware and Sachse Saloon. Apartments were on the second floor, and the Masonic Lodge was on the third. This building has also . . . — — Map (db m239274) HM
Abigail Atwater and N.C. Perry built this building to house the Grundy County Bank. The northern section was built by canal boat captain, Samuel Hull to house a grocery store and his living quarters upstairs. — — Map (db m233112) HM
During World War II the Wisconsin Based Manitowoc Ship Building Company constructed twenty eight Gato/Bolao Class submarines. This bolstered the production of existing Naval Shipyards. The completed submarines made their way from Lake Michigan down . . . — — Map (db m233000) HM
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places January 31, 2006 A place of historical and architectural significance Established as the Grundy County Seat in 1842 — — Map (db m233107) HM
Canal commissioners were charged with platting towns to develop commerce along the canal. In 1841, the state's largest county LaSalle County (to the west) was split with the eastern section becoming Grundy County. The location of the new county . . . — — Map (db m233167) HM
Morris blossomed into an important agricultural center when the I&M Canal opened in 1848. The remains of the historic Coleman Hardware building (now housing the Grundy County Historical Museum) and the nearby Gebhard Brewery are reminders of the . . . — — Map (db m233168) HM
Abraham Lincoln probably stayed at the Hamilton House when he came to Carthage in 1839 to serve as the defendant's counsel in the Fraim murder trial. There are no other known Lincoln court cases in Hancock County. But he did handle . . . — — Map (db m57867) HM
This is one of seven shops where the Blacksmith & Wainwright was an important part of the growth & development of Nauvoo. Here they made a variety of tools. The Webb Brothers, Shupe Brothers & many others worked together to accomplish the great task . . . — — Map (db m244072) HM
The City of Nauvoo was known as "Commerce" in the 1830s. Located on the westernmost edge of the American Frontier at the time and nestled on the Mississippi River, Nauvoo boomed and prospered as a center of commerce.
Transporting Goods . . . — — Map (db m244025) HM
Joseph and Emma Smith and their children moved into this home in August 1843. They moved from the home just behind you and to your right.
A hotel wing was added to this home soon after they moved in, allowing them to provide lodging for their . . . — — Map (db m243983) HM
This is a reconstruction of Joseph Smith's red brick store, built on the site of the original structure. Joseph opened the store to the public on January 5, 1842. At the time, this area was one of Nauvoo's main business districts.
Joseph and . . . — — Map (db m243980) HM
The impressive limestone cave located along the Ohio River is one
of the most compelling features of Cave-in-Rock State Park. With a
reputation as a robber's den and outlaw hideout, the cave looms large
in popular folk tales of the Illinois . . . — — Map (db m161218) HM
For 6 to 9 months a year, the Iron Furnace was "in blast."
These quiet hills came alive with the sounds of axes and
picks, horses and wagons, and the shouts of hardworking
men-24 hours a day,7 days a week!
A blast furnace requires large . . . — — Map (db m161399) HM
Before you stands the only remaining iron furnace structure in the entire state of Illinois. This priceless historic edifice became part of the Shawnee National Forest in 1950.
Outstanding in Its Field
Built in 1837, the Illinois Iron . . . — — Map (db m161400) HM
Fluorite, the official Illinois state mineral, was discovered in 1839 by James Anderson while digging a well near Fairview Landing one half mile SW of this site. Fluorite was a waste product until the steel industry began using the mineral in their . . . — — Map (db m154632) HM
People have been digging, processing and transporting fluorite (fluorspar) here since 1842. In the 1940s, Rosiclare and Hardin County led the U.S. in fluorite production and were known as "The Fluorite Capital of the World".
What is . . . — — Map (db m206198) HM
William Pell, Jr. settled here in 1832, founded Pell's Landing. In 1874, Pell's Landing was incorporated as Rose Clare and became the City of Rosiclare in 1932. Always an important river town, the discovery of fluorite and other minerals in the . . . — — Map (db m206199) HM
Imagine this peaceful site abuzz with
activity! It took about 40 men to keep the
furnace "in blast” and many more to
support the workers and their families,
creating the furnace community.
At the Break of Day
The village . . . — — Map (db m161401) HM
One of the oldest brick buildings in Bishop Hill, the 1851 Carpentry Shop was originally used as a manufacturing and fabrication center for colony furniture and wagon components. The bottom floor served as the general work area and a set of double . . . — — Map (db m177486) HM
Bishop Hill Colony Historic District has been designated a National Historic Landmark This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America 1984 National Park . . . — — Map (db m177484) HM
In 1822, Gurdon S. Hubbard,
on this spot, built an
Indian Trading Post and
operated it until 1834.
Here the Indian Princess
Watchee-Kee lived with
Hubbard, as his wife. — — Map (db m96050) HM
In 1869, Carbondale was chosen as the location for Southern Illinois College. By the early 1870s, several new commercial brick buildings were planned for the Town Square, reflecting growth and optimism.
The Newell House Hotel at 101 South . . . — — Map (db m161969) HM
Because of the active railroad freight and passenger line, overnight lodging facilities were in demand, and several hotels were constructed. The most imposing of the early hotels was the Union House, later the Planters House Hotel; it stood on the . . . — — Map (db m161973) HM
In 1868, the city passed an ordinance forbidding frame construction on the Square. The photo to the left (ca. 1900) depicts the New Brush Building at 100 South Illinois Avenue. The store was built in 1895 to replace the city's first commercial . . . — — Map (db m161975) HM
Captain William Boone, the nephew of the famous Daniel Boone, is thought to have been the first white settler in Jackson county, having arrived shortly after Lewis and Clark discovered Tower Rock. William Boone's son, Benningen, was the first white . . . — — Map (db m180340) HM
Who, for more than 30 years from 1940 served more than a million and a half all-you-could-eat home-cooked meals to all comers on this site. Those of us who enjoyed her cooking affectionately dedicate this plaque to her. — — Map (db m191114) HM
This steam locomotive built by H. K. Porte Co. in 1929, donated to Devils Backbone Park, Grand Tower, Illinois in 1961, by Central Illinois Public Service Co. — — Map (db m190983) HM
Dr. Conrad Will, the "Father of Jackson County," was born in Pennsylvania in 1779 and came to Illinois in 1813. He was a physician but also operated a grist mill, tannery, and salt works. He was one of the founders of Jackson County and in 1816 . . . — — Map (db m160951) HM
The first coal mine in Illinois was located one-half mile south of here along the south bank of the Big Muddy River. William Boone and his indentured servant, a man named Peter, loaded a small raft with coal from an outcropping and, after floating . . . — — Map (db m160955) HM
Replica of the James Thomas Johnson General Store originally located in the 600 block of Opdyke Street (present day location of the old Mt. Vernon Township High School football field). The store was constructed in the latter half of the 19th century . . . — — Map (db m239484) HM
The Goshen Road was one of the main arteries of travel in the early 1800's, when Illinois was frontier country. The road ran in a Northwesterly direction from Shawneetown to Edwardsville - A distance of more than 150 miles. Shawneetown and . . . — — Map (db m88993) HM
Mt. Vernon resident Bill Steffy constructed this replica of the Thomas Atkins Blacksmith Shop in 1993. The former Atkins Blacksmith Shop was located in Waltonville, Illinois. any of the contents of the Blacksmith Shop are original to the Thomas . . . — — Map (db m239808) HM
This ruin is all that remains of a building that was constructed in the middle 1800s of stone that was quarried locally from the bluffs along the Mississippi River. It was originally a private home and meeting place for the people of Elsah. The . . . — — Map (db m216141) HM
Where the rivers meet
The essence of the meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is the celebration of the unique river communities found at the convergence of America's great rivers. At the confluence of the Mississippi and . . . — — Map (db m210702) HM
You are standing in what once was known as Hickory Grove, a tiny settlement that included three log cabins and the Red House.
The four-room Red House, built in 1827, was the first frame home in this area. In 1830, the Red House was converted . . . — — Map (db m142827) HM
Prior to 1820, Indians and occasional white traders occupied LaPointe, the name given to the present site of Galena. The settlement grew rapidly in 1823 and 1824 as each boat deposited new arrivals on the banks of the Fever (now Galena) River. . . . — — Map (db m202767) HM
Prior to 1820, Indians and occasional white traders occupied LaPointe, the name given to the present site of Galena. The settlement grew rapidly in 1823 and 1824 as each boat deposited new arrivals on the banks of the Fever (now Galena) River. . . . — — Map (db m202769) HM
This building was originally a residence. An early photograph identifies it as the home of E.D. Huntoon, an early settler who came from Maine in 1837. Remnants of that building were found in the form of rough-hewn timber walls (the axe marks are . . . — — Map (db m170199) HM
The nationally known Aurora Silverplate Manufacturing Company was a producer of fine silver-plated dishes, ornaments, and tableware. Founded in 1869. Directed by many of Aurora's pioneer businessmen including Joseph Stolp, this company was one of . . . — — Map (db m69822) HM
Aurora's east/west rivalry dates back to its beginnings. Arriving in 1834 from New York state, town founder Samuel McCarty constructed two mills on the east bank of the river, and the settlement of "McCarty Mills" grew up around them. The settlement . . . — — Map (db m170200) HM
Architect - George Grant Elmslie
Prairie style with terra cotta
ornamentation.
——————————
Prior to the late 1860s, a grand three-story Italianate style building, the H. H. Evans . . . — — Map (db m148600) HM
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
Designed by Anker Sveere Graven and Arthur Guy Mayger in 1928, it was the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago. . . . — — Map (db m94241) HM
This 1924 building is one of the significant Prairie style designs by George Grant Elmslie. It reflects some of the best features of the Prairie style, such as openings with terra cotta ornament, and the incorporation of sculpture into the design, . . . — — Map (db m170249) HM
Theatres designed in the early 20th century featured deep stages for vaudeville and other live entertainment. When silent movies became popular, vaudeville acts frequently preceded the movie, so the deep stages were still necessary. With the . . . — — Map (db m94216) HM
Aurora was the first city along the Lincoln Highway with street lights and was among the first in the nation to have them also. Yet again, enhancements to the highway spawned new commerce for communities along the road. With street lights, stores . . . — — Map (db m170198) HM
Gail Borden, pioneer in the food preservative industry, established a milk condensing plant on this site in 1865. His discovery incorporated a process by which water was evaporated from milk, and sugar added as a preservative. This process, patented . . . — — Map (db m63650) HM
From 1866 to 1966 this site was occupied by the Elgin National Watch Company. This was the first watch factory built west of the Alleghenies and grew to become the world's largest. During its lifetime over 60 million 'Elgin' watches were . . . — — Map (db m55455) HM
The Factory - 1867
Pocket watch production began in 1867. The factory, located on National Street at the south end of Grove Avenue, grew in stages until by 1920 it was the largest watchmaking complex in the world, ultimately producing more . . . — — Map (db m63436) HM
For more than 70 years this site was occupied by the Illinois Watch Case Company. The firm was a leader in the domestic watch industry and by the 1920s had produced more than 30 million watch cases.
A subsidiary produced jewelry goods, lockets, . . . — — Map (db m55458) HM
Geneva played an important role in connecting the cities of the Fox River Valley to the Lincoln Highway. The city was eager to cater to the newly motoring public by offering well-lit, paved streets, a stop-and-go light, and a motorcycle policeman . . . — — Map (db m94267) HM
The 1838 Greek Revival Peleg Young Bliss House is an example of post and beam construction, which utilizes large wooden timbers joined together with wooden pegs. While this construction technique was commonly used in homes, churches, barns and . . . — — Map (db m235370) HM
This fountain is dedicated to Otto J. Maha and his contributions to fluid power technology.
Otto received his education through night classes at the Lewis Institute of Technology, now known as the Illinois Institute of Technology. . . . — — Map (db m94524) HM
Allan Pinkerton, famous detective, had his home and cooperage on this lot, 1844-1850. Here he sheltered and employed slaves escaping to freedom. After helping to capture some counterfeiters, he became deputy sheriff of Kane County in 1848. In 1850 . . . — — Map (db m55485) HM
Historical Marker
McHie Ferry
Est. 1910 - Disc. 1920
Kankakee County's First Ferry
Made by Wm. and James McHie
Aroma Park Lions Club — — Map (db m9675) HM
Father of Bourbonnais Voyageur, Fur Trader and First Permanent Settler of Bourbonnais GroveNoλl Le Vasseur and his wife Watch-e-kee arrived here in 1832. He bought large tracts of land from the Potawatomi Indians and encouraged hundreds of . . . — — Map (db m177500) HM
Ferris Street
named for
Silvanus Ferris
member of the committee
which purchased the site
of Galesburg in 1835
financial agent and
trustee of Knox College — — Map (db m150555) HM
Designed by C. W. & George L. Rapp, built 1915-16 for the “princely sum” of $135,000, it opened in August, 1916. Forming part of the “Orpheum Circuit” which included such performers as the Marx Brothers, George Burns and . . . — — Map (db m150567) HM
First built on this site in 1869, destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt in 1872. Built in a grand manner of brick and stone, it stood four stories high. Later re-named the Broadview Hotel, it was once again destroyed by fire in 1969. — — Map (db m150556) HM
In 1895, the year of Grayslake's incorporation, Charles F. Kuebker bought the land that encompasses Central Park from Charles Whitehead. He brought his wife and young son to Grayslake the following year. They tilled the soil and raised animals. In . . . — — Map (db m55557) HM
This is the site of the first public building built by the Highland Park Building Company in 1868. It contained the first city offices, community and religious meeting rooms. It was bought by James McDonald and became McDonald's Store and Hall. The . . . — — Map (db m64705) HM
The Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company of Worcester, MA. established a wire mill – The Waukegan Works – east of this location along Lake Michigan. The land for its Illinois operation was purchased January 16, 1891, on the . . . — — Map (db m38184) HM
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This home possesses national significance because
of its architect, W. W. Boyington; its interior designer,
August Fiedler; and as the birthplace of Open Court
Publishing Company, an . . . — — Map (db m185188) HM
Philanthropist - Pioneer Abolitionist - Publisher - Census of Universal Emancipation, Fore-Runner of "Western Citizen" now "Chicago Tribune". He Gave His Life and Fortune For Freedom — — Map (db m197995) HM
This stone building was a warehouse on the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which was completed in 1848. The building was constructed one year later by James Clark, a resident of Utica. Before the advent of the railroads the canal was the main . . . — — Map (db m185195) HM
Established as The Constitutionalist in 1844
The ninth oldest daily newspaper in the State of Illinois
Member
Small Newspaper Group, Inc.
With other publications in: Kankakee, Illinois; Moline, Illinois;
LaPorte, Indiana; Rock . . . — — Map (db m185044) HM
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