Markings & Preservation of Historical Sites (see photos below)
There is no better way to learn history than by hearing the stories and visiting the sites that made our country great. We, as Colonial Dames, can share the histories of our communities by marking historic sites for our own generation and generations to come. Each Illinois State Society President celebrates her tenure in office with an "Historical Marking" of a place or an event that aided in the early formation of the United States.
There is no better way to learn history than by hearing the stories and visiting the sites that made our country great. We, as Colonial Dames, can share the histories of our communities by marking historic sites for our own generation and generations to come. Each Illinois State Society President celebrates her tenure in office with an "Historical Marking" of a place or an event that aided in the early formation of the United States.
11 May 1990 – Guilford Town Hall in Guilford, IL, was marked by the Guilford Chapter NSCDXVIIC. It was the home of the first grange in Illinois and the sixth grange in the United States. The building was erected in 1896. This is the first historic marking in Illinois.
24 October l992 – The site of Old Peoria was marked by the Pimiteoui Chapter. This was a European settlement in Illinois Country established by the French in the winter of 1691-1692 at or very near the spot where the marker stands near the Detweiller Marina.
4 August 1993 – Katharine Clifton Prairie consists of several acres of land situated south of the Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka, IL. An historic marker (plaque on granite boulder) was dedicated at the prairie by La Grande Prairie Chapter, NSCDXVIIC.
23 March 1996 – Mission of the Immaculate Conception on Kaskaskia Island, IL, was founded in 1675 by Father James Marquette. The marking occurred 335 years after the founding of the Mission.
27 March 1999 – Established in May 1699, Holy Family Log Church in Cahokia, IL, is the oldest continuously sited church in Illinois. Near the entrance is a marker noting the Tricentennial Jubilee Gate, commemorating 300 years of the parish.
20 June 1999 – A Colonial Heritage Tree was planted, and a bronze and stone marker was placed on the grounds of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, IL. Later, construction destroyed the tree, and the marker is missing.
25 October 2002 – The Bothwell Chapel at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL, was marked in 2002. The Chapel was constructed in 1858.
25 October 2002 – The Mermaid House Hotel in Lebanon, IL, which was built in 1830 by a retired New England sea captain, was named for the mermaids he reported seeing at sea.
23 October 2004 – Lewis and Clark's Visit at Fort Massac on the Ohio River in Massac County, IL, is recalled by a marker. The fort was built by the French in 1757 during the French and Indian War. The original fort burned but was rebuilt in 1794 during the Northwest Indian War.
9 June 2007 – The Pierre Menard Home in Ellis Grove, IL, is a French-Creole style house built in 1815. Pierre Menard was presiding officer of the Illinois Territorial Legislature from 1818-1822 and was the first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. He lived from 1766 to 1844.
16 October 2010 – The Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park (Native American Site) near LeRoy, IL, contains an authentic reproduction of the original Kickapoo village.
8 September 2012 – John Marshall Bank in Shawneetown, IL, is a brick structure built as a private home in 1808 by John Marshall, who came to America in 1804. Part of the home was used as a store, and in 1816 he opened the first bank in Illinois authorized by the Illinois Territorial Legislature.
21 March 2015 - The Mary Smith Fay Genealogy Library of the White County Historical Society in Carmi, IL, is one of the 106 Carnegie libraries in the state of Illinois. It was built in the prairie style architecture in 1914/15 largely through the efforts and perseverance of the Ladies of Carmi Home Culture Circle whose motto was "NOT FOR SELF BUT FOR ALL." This public library was originally dedicated June 29, 1915, and was marked 100 years later coincidental to the bicentennial of White County.
18 March 2017 – Marquette and Jolliet's Voyage occurred in 1673 when Pére Jacques Marquette, missionary/priest, and Louis Jolliet, fur trader, left Canada to explore the Mississippi River. They returned by the Illinois River, passing near Pere Marquette State Park. Their travels covered four months and 2500 miles. A marking will be held at the Pere Marquette State Park , Grafton, IL, near Father Marquette’s statue. He holds a peace pipe in his right hand and the other is raised in friendship to Native Americans.
2 June 2018- Yanda Log Cabin, Glen Carbon, IL. Built in 1853 by Austrian immigrant William Yanda, a blacksmith. He and his wife raised ten children there. At least three generations lived in the cabin and Frank Yanda, Jr. was an early mayor. The cabin was restored in 1992 by the Glen Carbon Historical & Museum Commission.
24 October l992 – The site of Old Peoria was marked by the Pimiteoui Chapter. This was a European settlement in Illinois Country established by the French in the winter of 1691-1692 at or very near the spot where the marker stands near the Detweiller Marina.
4 August 1993 – Katharine Clifton Prairie consists of several acres of land situated south of the Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka, IL. An historic marker (plaque on granite boulder) was dedicated at the prairie by La Grande Prairie Chapter, NSCDXVIIC.
23 March 1996 – Mission of the Immaculate Conception on Kaskaskia Island, IL, was founded in 1675 by Father James Marquette. The marking occurred 335 years after the founding of the Mission.
27 March 1999 – Established in May 1699, Holy Family Log Church in Cahokia, IL, is the oldest continuously sited church in Illinois. Near the entrance is a marker noting the Tricentennial Jubilee Gate, commemorating 300 years of the parish.
20 June 1999 – A Colonial Heritage Tree was planted, and a bronze and stone marker was placed on the grounds of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, IL. Later, construction destroyed the tree, and the marker is missing.
25 October 2002 – The Bothwell Chapel at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL, was marked in 2002. The Chapel was constructed in 1858.
25 October 2002 – The Mermaid House Hotel in Lebanon, IL, which was built in 1830 by a retired New England sea captain, was named for the mermaids he reported seeing at sea.
23 October 2004 – Lewis and Clark's Visit at Fort Massac on the Ohio River in Massac County, IL, is recalled by a marker. The fort was built by the French in 1757 during the French and Indian War. The original fort burned but was rebuilt in 1794 during the Northwest Indian War.
9 June 2007 – The Pierre Menard Home in Ellis Grove, IL, is a French-Creole style house built in 1815. Pierre Menard was presiding officer of the Illinois Territorial Legislature from 1818-1822 and was the first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. He lived from 1766 to 1844.
16 October 2010 – The Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park (Native American Site) near LeRoy, IL, contains an authentic reproduction of the original Kickapoo village.
8 September 2012 – John Marshall Bank in Shawneetown, IL, is a brick structure built as a private home in 1808 by John Marshall, who came to America in 1804. Part of the home was used as a store, and in 1816 he opened the first bank in Illinois authorized by the Illinois Territorial Legislature.
21 March 2015 - The Mary Smith Fay Genealogy Library of the White County Historical Society in Carmi, IL, is one of the 106 Carnegie libraries in the state of Illinois. It was built in the prairie style architecture in 1914/15 largely through the efforts and perseverance of the Ladies of Carmi Home Culture Circle whose motto was "NOT FOR SELF BUT FOR ALL." This public library was originally dedicated June 29, 1915, and was marked 100 years later coincidental to the bicentennial of White County.
18 March 2017 – Marquette and Jolliet's Voyage occurred in 1673 when Pére Jacques Marquette, missionary/priest, and Louis Jolliet, fur trader, left Canada to explore the Mississippi River. They returned by the Illinois River, passing near Pere Marquette State Park. Their travels covered four months and 2500 miles. A marking will be held at the Pere Marquette State Park , Grafton, IL, near Father Marquette’s statue. He holds a peace pipe in his right hand and the other is raised in friendship to Native Americans.
2 June 2018- Yanda Log Cabin, Glen Carbon, IL. Built in 1853 by Austrian immigrant William Yanda, a blacksmith. He and his wife raised ten children there. At least three generations lived in the cabin and Frank Yanda, Jr. was an early mayor. The cabin was restored in 1992 by the Glen Carbon Historical & Museum Commission.
Mouse over (PC) or tap (Mac) the photos below for more details.