Native American Sites Throughout the Illinois River Valley

Native Americans have lived in the Illinois River Valley for at least 12,000 years. There are thousands of locations in this valley where there is evidence of their history. Many have been studied by archaeologists, and where documents are available, by historians. As a result, our understanding of Native American history continues to grow.

Native American history in this valley is unique, significant, and enriching, but generally little known by most Illinoisans. The Illinois River Road provides an exceptional opportunity to introduce contemporary explorers to learn how Native American culture has developed, flourished, faced daunting challenges, and has survived for thousands of years. It also reminds us how their way of life was profoundly changed by the expansion of European and then American settlement.

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    • 32 Starved Rock courtesy M. Wiant 768x511

    (Le Rocher) Starved Rock

    • Carl Rohl Smith Fort Dearborn Massacre 1893

    Black Partridge Village Monument

    • 2 Buffalo Rock State Park courtesy Enjoy Illinois 768x511

    Buffalo Rock State Park

    • 3 Buffalo Rock Tumuli courtesy Illinois Department of Natural Resources 768x389

    Buffalo Rock Tumuli

    • 4 Bureau County Historical Museum courtesy M. Wiant 768x576

    Bureau County Historical Society Museum

    • Big Toot provided by Cheryl B 768x1024

    Canton Area Heritage Center Museum

    • 6 Chillicothe Historical Society Museum courtesy M. Wiant 768x576

    Chillicothe Area History Museum

    • 7 Dickison Mounds courtesy M. Wiant 768x576

    Dickison Mounds

    • Byway history photos and photo index 8 Dickson Mounds Museum courtesy R. Martin 768x514

    Dickson Mounds (Illinois State Museum)

    • 10 Emiquon Ridge courtesy T. Treacy 768x576

    Emiquon Preserve

    • 11 Eveland site courtesy Illinois State Museum resave 768x491

    Eveland Village

    • 12 Fort Clark location vista courtesy T. Treacy 768x576

    Fort Clark