Potawatomi Trail of Death - Springfield, IL
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 39° 48.037 W 089° 38.899
16S E 273269 N 4408983
Small bronze plaque commemorating a sad chapter in Illinois and American history.
Waymark Code: WMJDMJ
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/04/2013
Views: 8
Inscription. "On Sept. 29, 1838, 800 Potawatomi Indians marched through Springfield on the forced removal from Indiana to Kansas. Although many had died and they faced severe hardship, they were encouraged by Judge Polke and Chief I-o-weh to exhibit pride, so they put on their best clothes, arranged themselves into line, and with an unusual display of finery, marched through the streets of Springfield. The wayfares were crowded with anxious spectators, so much so as to threaten to impede the emigration. Jared P. Irwin, a stone mason working on the construction of the State Capitol building, recorded in his journal that he saw the Indians marching by. Dr. Jerolaman was sick and requested leave to stay in Springfield a few days."
More information from Springfield Sculptures (
visit link)
"On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act which stipulated that all Indians living east of the Mississippi River should be moved to Oklahoma and Kansas. As a result, on September 4, 1838, over 800 Potawatomi Indians were forcibly removed from their homes in Indiana and started the long march to Kansas. The Indians arrived in Osawatomie, Kansas, on November 4, 1838. Because over 40 people died on the 660 mile trip, it has been named the Trail of Death."
There are several other such markers in central Illinois.
Visit Instructions:To log your visit please include the following:
- A picture of the marker. Including yourself in the picture would be nice but not required.
- Tell about your experience, thoughts, knowledge of the site or anything else you feel you want to share about your visit.
Reminder: In Waymarking, it is not bad etiquette to log your own Waymark. Please feel free log a visit for any marker you submit.