Originally from Massachusetts, Israel Blodgett came to Illinois in 1832, settling near Naperville, the same year that Pierce Downer settled in what is now Downers Grove. Israel then sent for his wife, Avis, and their children. The family soon moved . . . — — Map (db m270650) HM
In 1846, when James K. Polk was President of the United States, the Blodgett family built a house to replace their log cabin. Common features of this Greek Revival architectural style include a gabled roof, wide trim, large windows and doors, and a . . . — — Map (db m270851) HM
In 1892, Charles Blodgett, the youngest son of Israel and Avis Blodgett, moved his parent's home to the rear of his property and built a modern home for his family. This house was typical of other houses built during the Victorian Era featuring a . . . — — Map (db m270854) HM
Named in Honor of Officer Richard J. Barth #11
Downers Grove Police Department
Officer Barth was killed in the line of duty on March 18, 1974. He made the ultimate sacrifice in serving the citizens of our community. Officer Barth enjoyed . . . — — Map (db m304619) HM
On August 24, 1980 this piece of an original Illinois tall grass prairie was formally dedicated as a State of Illinois Nature Preserve. The dedication ceremony was presided over by Downers Grove Park District members, prairie managers Alfred and . . . — — Map (db m270172) HM
Charles Blodgett, the youngest son of Israel and Avis Blodgett, was a business man involved with real estate, farming and politics. He served as Village Trustee for 18 years, School Board Member for 25 years and DuPage County Supervisor for 35 . . . — — Map (db m270863) HM
History of the Burial Ground
Located on a small piece of ground that was once part of the land owned by Pierce Downer, the founder of Downers Grove, is the Downer Cemetery. This place is said to be the spot where Downer camped the first night . . . — — Map (db m271843) HM
Pierce Downer, who arrived in 1832, was the village's first settler. This well, across from the Downer home, is one of two shallow wells he dug on his property. One well was for people, and one well was for livestock. Because of its proximity to the . . . — — Map (db m301773) HM
In honor of the citizens of Downers Grove buried here and elsewhere who served in the Civil War (1861-1865)
Buried Here at Main Street Cemetery
William H. Attwood, 156th Illinois Infantry, Co. D Isrel L. Blackburn, 124th US Colored . . . — — Map (db m269222) HM WM
In 1864 the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad started passenger service from Aurora to Chicago. By 1884 there were 20 stations on the fine. The first station building at East Grove now called Fairview was built about 1890 and was of frame . . . — — Map (db m271009) HM
The Farmer's and Merchant's Bank Building was built in 1892 for the first bank in Downers Grove. The bank was organized on May 10, 1892. The officers of the bank included Charles Curtiss, President, W.A. Tope, M.D., Vice President, and W.H. Edwards, . . . — — Map (db m60037) HM
After fires broke out at the Dicke Tool Company in 1903 and 1911, the Dicke family became interested in improving the fire department. In July of 1927 a special bond issue was passed to provide $20,000 to build a fire station. On October 24, 1927, a . . . — — Map (db m271916) HM
We decided to model positive environmental practices at the Lyman Woods Interpretive Center long ago. In fact, it began in the drawing room when this building was designed. The roof is actually planted (called a "green roof") to improve air quality, . . . — — Map (db m267395) HM
Although the Blodgetts were not primarily farmers, they would have grown a portion of their food. The Blodgetts planted, harvested and stored a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs for cooking, treating illnesses and trading with their neighbors. . . . — — Map (db m301772) HM
This natural area has been formally dedicated as a sanctuary for native vegetation and wildlife. It is maintained in its natural condition so that present and future generations can see the Illinois landscape as it appeared to pioneers. This living . . . — — Map (db m270178) HM
Indian Boundary
Originally, Maple Avenue was a Native American trail. In 1816, this trail was the first sale of land in Northern Illinois from the local Native American tribes to the United States Government and created a 10-mile corridor of . . . — — Map (db m270624) HM
Immediately north of this marker runs the Indian Boundary Line which was established on Aug 24, 1816 by a treaty between three U.S. commissioners and the Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawotami Indians to provide a corridor between Lake Michigan and the . . . — — Map (db m60035) HM
Israel and Avis Blodgett moved to Downers Grove in 1836. Israel Porter Blodgett, Sr. operated a blacksmith shop, and is credited with developing the self-scouring plow used to turn the Illinois prairie.
Israel & Avis Blodgett were against . . . — — Map (db m270857) HM
Built in 1846, this home of Israel and Avis Blodgett is believed to have been an active stop on the Underground Railroad with Israel as a Conductor. Having settled in Downers Grove in 1836, the family was very active in the Abolitionist Movement and . . . — — Map (db m301771) HM
Son of John P. and Mary C. Cotes
Born 1836
Pvt Comp B, 105th Ill Vol Inf
Civil War
Died at Murphysboro, Tenn.
July 25, 1863
Age 26 yrs — — Map (db m270615) HM WM
First woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly
"Not until our own time was the phrase 'We the People'
changed to include women."
-First Inaugural Address
January 4, 1923
Lottie Holman O'Neill was born on November 17, 1878, in . . . — — Map (db m270339) HM
In the early days this was the entrance to the cemetery since the original Main Street was one block west of present day Main Street. For this reason, as you will note, most of the inscriptions on the gravestones are facing west.
As a result of . . . — — Map (db m60039) HM
In 1856, Samuel Curtiss donated part of his sheep pasture for use as a cemetery. He was later paid $15 for the land, money from individuals who formed a cemetery association in 1864. Nearly 100 members of Downers Grove's early families, including . . . — — Map (db m60038) HM
Architects Fugard & Knapp designed this temple in 1924 for Grove Lodge No. 824, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Lodge was chartered October 4, 1893. Charter members included E.E. Downer, G.E. Downer, M.B. Downer, T.S. Rogers, Charles Mochel, . . . — — Map (db m60036) HM
Dedicated by the people of Downers Grove
May 29, 1949
In honor of those who gave their lives for peace and freedom
World War II, 1941-1947
Andres, Harold J. Beggs, Harry W. Bruce, Edward A. Campbell, Clifford R. Bichorst, Carl W. . . . — — Map (db m270470) WM
Levi Mertz and Charles Mochel constructed the original building at 36 S Main (later renumbered 5122 Main Street), where the 2 partners opened their business, Mertz & Mochel, on June 25, 1884. The building consisted of a basement and 2 . . . — — Map (db m271917) HM
Each fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to overwintering areas in California and Mexico where they wait out the winter until conditions favor a return flight in the spring. The monarch . . . — — Map (db m270268) HM
Each fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to overwintering areas in California and Mexico where they wait out the winter until conditions favor a return flight in the spring. The monarch . . . — — Map (db m304621) HM
This plaque marks the original site of
Grant E. Dicke Firehouse #1
1928-1975
and honors the valiant firefighters who have served the community.
Chief John P. Wander — — Map (db m271915) HM
This two part commercial building with a store below and office space above is one of the 19th century buildings that still represents the look of old Main Street. The building with Victorian pressed brick on the front and face brick on the sides is . . . — — Map (db m271918) HM
Pierce Downer and his wife, Lucy, died a day apart in March of 1863 and were buried side by side in the grove on the hill at 4524 Linscott. — — Map (db m271838) HM
On this spot in May, 1833
Pierce Downer
the first white settler of this village pitched his tent and spent the night. Thirty years later he was buried here on his own farm. — — Map (db m271906) HM
Formerly called Grove Lake, Prince Pond is one of the oldest recreation areas in Downers Grove. E.H. Prince, who developed the area in the 1890s, improved the pond (calling it "our beautiful lake" in ads) and used it as a sales tool to successfully . . . — — Map (db m271914) HM
As settlers arrived in this country, farmland and urban areas often replaced native ecosystems. The importance of protecting these systems was often overlooked. Land management professionals have learned a lot in the past few decades. We have come . . . — — Map (db m267394) HM
Born in Connecticut in 1789
Died in Downers Grove in 1867
Resident of Downers Grove since 1836
Samuel Curtiss was a volunteer in the War of 1812 and used his script to purchase land here. The Main Street Cemetery is located on part of his . . . — — Map (db m270479) HM
Son of Austin and Angeline Richards
Born in New York 1842
Pvt Comp D, 105th Ill Vol Inf
Civil War
Died at South Tunnel, Tenn.
January 28, 1862
Age 20 years — — Map (db m270621) HM WM
A century ago, Illinois was dominated by native prairie with areas of Oak woodlands and rich wetland habitats. A diverse community of plants and wildlife thrived within these areas. As the land was converted into farms and communities were . . . — — Map (db m304586) HM
As early as the 1830's slaves made their way to freedom crossing through Illinois on their way north to Canada. They traveled on the Underground Railroad. Downers Grove historians Montrew Dunham and Pauline Wandschneider tell us "The Underground . . . — — Map (db m270475) HM
The Underground Railroad was not the railroad that exists today in Downers Grove. Instead it was an informal and secret network of meeting points, transportation routes and safe houses coordinated by a group of people called abolitionists, who were . . . — — Map (db m270856) HM
Belmont Prairie was just a field where the neighborhood kids played until it was "discovered" in the 1970s. A nearby neighbor turned in a photography assignment that caused his instructors to ask where he took the shots. Botanists and ecological . . . — — Map (db m270267) HM
Downers Grove began as a farming community in the 1830s. Downers Grove settlers enjoyed peaceful relationships with the local Potawatomi tribe even though the Black Hawk War was occuring in 1832. During this time Maple Avenue was the Village's main . . . — — Map (db m270861) HM
Pierce Downer, the founder of Downers Grove, is not buried in the Main Street Cemetery. He and his wife Lucy Ann (Wilson) are buried in the family plot located on the original Downer homestead. The Downers did own a plot in the Main Street Cemetery. . . . — — Map (db m270478) HM
Whittier School opened to 114 children on September 3, 1929. It was the second Downers Grove School built south of the railroad tracks. Named for the well known poet John Greenleaf Whittier, this school has proudly educated children for 80 years. . . . — — Map (db m304618) HM
In memory to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War
19171919
J. Bryan A. Burns H. Buschman L. Dexter J. Malek H. McAllister J. Pozdol M. Statton — — Map (db m269227) WM
