In the 1830's and 1840's an organized criminal gang known as the Banditti of the Prairie was active on the Midwestern frontier. In 1841 six members were arrested and held for trial in Oregon, Illinois. On March 21, the day before the trial, the . . . — — Map (db m208331) HM
A few of the first settlers to migrate to Northern Illinois settled in thia area. One-half mile west, on Grove Creek, was a water-powered saw mill, built by Sam Aikens in the late 1830’s and operated by him and Richard Hardesty. Later, it was . . . — — Map (db m208410) HM
During the 1840’s, 50’s and 60’s the Gross Saw Mill, located about one-half mile south of here, was operated with water power supplied by Kite River. The mill was the chief source of lumber used in many of the early homes in the area. One of Pine . . . — — Map (db m208408) HM
200 yards north of here, a granite boulder bears this inscription "John and William Driscoll executed here June 29, 1841," These two men, father and son, were tried by 500 aroused citizens and then executed by a firing squad of one hundred eleven . . . — — Map (db m208328) HM
One quarter mile east of here on Kite River, about 1840, Lyman Morgan built a grist mill. This was first known as the Morgan Mill and later as the White Oak Mill. The mill ground corn and other farm-produced grains. This was the center of a small . . . — — Map (db m131318) HM
Illinois was the only state to have LH drinking fountains. They were donated by Carl Parker in memory of his mother, Amanda Sutherland Parker who had grown up in the Garden Plain area of Whiteside County. Originally the fountains were to be placed . . . — — Map (db m235450) HM
In the spring of 1825, Oliver W. Kellogg blazed a trail north through the prairie, passing near the future West Grove settlement, then a few miles east of Forreston, and up through Crane's Grove.
A year later, John Boles opened a shorter . . . — — Map (db m208640) HM
Erected to the memory of Leonard Andrus founder of the village of Grand Detour Illinois 1835. Adjudicator of land claims, ferry operator, carrier of mail and travelers, first commissioner of schools in Ogle County, manufacturer, vestryman, . . . — — Map (db m131733) HM
Early French traders who traveled the Rock River named the large bend southwest of this point, Grand Detour. Winnebago and Potawatomi villages in the area made it a prominent location for fur trading posts, and during the 1820's the United States . . . — — Map (db m131290) HM
John Deere Home and Shop has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935.
This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the . . . — — Map (db m230809) HM
John Deere came to Grand Detour in 1836. In 1837, he fashioned a steel plow out of a broken sawmill blade in his blacksmith shop situated in the nearby John Deere Historic Site.
In 1843, John Deere and Leonard Andrus formed a partnership to . . . — — Map (db m131288) HM
Near here was the landing site of the Upper Ferry, one of two ferries providing the first established crossing of the Rock River into Grand Detour. Authorized by local ordinance in 1837, they were the sole means of commercial access to the south and . . . — — Map (db m131289) HM
Rock River Seminary, the first institution of higher education in Northern Illinois, was established by the Methodist Church in 1839. Because of financial difficulties it was forced to close in 1879. The Church of the Brethren then purchased the . . . — — Map (db m208351) HM
Samuel H. Davis Lodge #96 A.F.&A.M. had a history dating nearly 150 years in Mt. Morris. It was organized some time before 1850, the exact date does not appear on the records of the society. It was reorganized and officially chartered on October . . . — — Map (db m208466) HM
1744 1821 in memory of Captain Joseph Ogle pioneer*soldier*circuit rider for whom this county was named served in the Revolutionary War as Captain of Virginia Troops
Placed by the Rochelle Chapter D.A.R. 1924 — — Map (db m208465) HM WM
World War I
Adams Earl C •
Altenburg Harry O •
Beard Raymond •
Bednarkewiz Leo •
Cafagna Phil •
Carlson Gunnard •
Carpenter Jay •
Correll Frank •
Dohlen George •
Began Patrick F •
Fisk Ralf L •
Grown Maine D •
Holmes . . . — — Map (db m209418) WM
Improved roads in the 1900s, like the Lincoln Highway, contributed to the rise of Industrialism in America. This brought the period known as the Gilded Age. Business leaders amassed enormous wealth and built elaborate homes, theaters, local . . . — — Map (db m209415) HM
The Lincoln Highway is an example of the 1900s American cultural awakening. The end of the Victorian era brought progress and independence as people set out in their automobiles to venture across the country. The vision of the first . . . — — Map (db m209416) HM
Oregon has a rich art and cultural heritage that dates back to the days of the Lincoln Highway. Seeking peace and quiet from the hectic life of the city, motorists were now able to enjoy weekends and summers in nearby rural areas. Located on the . . . — — Map (db m209417) HM
The "Black Hawk" statue is one of many large-scale works created by Chicago artist Lorado Taft. For five decades, from 1886 to his death in 1936, Taft was a vibrant figure in the Illinois art world, as a sculptor, lecturer, and author. . . . — — Map (db m185026) HM
From 1840 to 1855 John Stephenson operated a grist mill and a distillery here. A part of the earth dam still remains and can be seen about 30 yards to the south. The mill pond covered several acres and extended about 300 yards south of the earthen . . . — — Map (db m208411) HM
The towering concrete statue known as "Black Hawk" is Lowden State Park's most famous landmark. The sculpture, a marvel of period engineering and technology, was created between 1908 and 1910 by sculptor Lorado Taft and artist and engineer John G. . . . — — Map (db m185025) HM
In the spring of 1832, the land along the Rock River was a battlefield. The United States was at war with a band of Sauk and Fox Indians. At stake were the Indians' tribal homelands of northwestern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
Almost 30 . . . — — Map (db m185021) HM
Built on the old Chicago and Iowa Trail, this road was the first state aid paved rural road in northern Illinois. Begun in 1914, it was dedicated August 24, 1915. One lane of fired bricks was put in the north lane, a dirt tract in the south lane; . . . — — Map (db m131315) HM
In 1913, Carl Fisher proposed the "coast-to-coast Rock Highway". Eager to put America on wheels, executives from automobile and tire manufacturers quickly joined the effort. At the inaugural meeting on July 1, 1913, the newly elected President, . . . — — Map (db m209414) HM
The Chicago and Iowa trail, usually known as the C & I trail, passed through here. Travelers by stage coach, covered wagon, or on horseback between Chicago and Iowa frequently stayed overnight at Capt. Stinson's inn. This center of community life in . . . — — Map (db m131316) HM
Whether you're here to stroll, picnic, camp, or just enjoy the scenic views of the Rock River, Lowden State Park welcomes you. The park is open year-round, and offers foot trails, more than 100 campsites, and even an inexpensive cabin that can be . . . — — Map (db m185024) HM
The Indians called this area Nanusha (buffalo). The first settlers arrived here in 1829 and six years later a village, St. Marion, was laid out. About 1840 the name was changed to Buffalo Grove and the village prospered until 1855 when the railroad . . . — — Map (db m208581) HM
This free-standing, perpetual-burning lime kiln was used to produce lime mortar, a product widely utilized by the building industry. The area was known as Buffalo Grove after a thriving early settlement along the Galena Trail. The region retained . . . — — Map (db m208638) HM
-1830-
Here on the Galena Trail, Isaac Chambers built a cabin used as a tavern
-1834-
John D. Stevenson, the first merchant had his store in a near-by cabin — — Map (db m209304) HM
Early in the Black Hawk War Indians concealed near this spot in Buffalo Grove, May 19, 1832, killed William Durley, a member of a six man detail carrying dispatches from Colonel James M. Strode at Galena to General Henry Atkinson at Dixon's Ferry. . . . — — Map (db m208585) HM
Abraham Lincoln was a guest in this house, August 15-17, 1856. His host was Zenas Aplington, founder of Polo. On Saturday, August 16, John D. Campbell and James W. Carpenter, who were law partners in Polo, joined Lincoln and Aplington in a drive by . . . — — Map (db m55803) HM
In the pioneer village of Eagle Point, named because of an eagle's nest on a point of timber near here, Naaman Spencer, inventor of the gang plow, started manufacturing it here, 1868. Spencer, also was the first to use a steam engine, a Gates, . . . — — Map (db m131732) HM
In 1825 Oliver W. Kellogg blazed a trail from Peoria to Galena which passed east of this site. On a spring day in the following year John Boles marked a shorter route near this point. The news of the Boles Trail spread and it became a heavily . . . — — Map (db m208467) HM
In the early 1830’s pioneer traffic moving north from Peoria crowded primitive trails and forced a direct route to Galena. In 1833, Levi Warner’s state survey marked the Galena Road. It cut through this schoolyard. Private Abraham Lincoln passed . . . — — Map (db m55795) HM
The evolution of the road changed the look of America with the development of roadside industries. As motoring became a way o f life, the local filling station was welcomed sight to travelers. Service stations and garages along the Lincoln . . . — — Map (db m133512) HM
During the 19th century, cities usually had descent roads, but rural roads were often little more than muddy trails. Bicyclist's and railroad companies began calling for good roads in the 1880s, but American road building really took off in the . . . — — Map (db m133511) HM
Rochelle was a natural forefront to major automobile transportation and grew to earn the name of the "Hub City" because of its location at the intersection of several major transportation routes.
The "Hub" began with the railroads in . . . — — Map (db m133513) HM
In 1913, Carl Fisher proposed the "Coast-to-Coast Rock Highway". Eager to put America on wheels, executives from automobile and tire manufacturers quickly joined in the effort. At the inaugural meeting on July 1, 1913, the newly elected . . . — — Map (db m133510) HM
Here, on May 14, 1832, the first engagement of the Black Hawk War took place when 275 Illinois Militiamen under Maj. Isaiah Stillman were put to flight by Black Hawk and his warriors. So thoroughly demoralized were the volunteers that a new army had . . . — — Map (db m59710) HM
In memory of the Illinois volunteers who fell at Stillman's Run, May 14, 1832, in an engagement with Black Hawk and his warriors.
Captain John G. Adams
Sergeant John Walters
Corporal James Milton
Private Isaac Perkins
Private Joseph . . . — — Map (db m131319) HM WM
