This route focuses on “Anglo” settlement in Western Illinois and moves up in time. The route includes Abraham Lincoln’s activities as a soldier in the War of 1812 and then as a prairie lawyer and abolitionist, and the industries that developed in some places (such as coal, cigars). The route heads due north out of Springfield to Canton and Galesburg and then proceeds west to reach the Mississippi River where the Mormon pioneer experience played out in religious and political domains.

In dealing with the “Anglo” settlement of Western Illinois we recognize that American Indian tribes occupied this land first, and not just at the moment of contact and colonization. Indeed, an archaeologically important cultural sphere called Havana Hopewell dates back many hundred of years before the first Europeans arrived in what for them was “the New World.” And the competitive pressure from the “Anglo” settlers and, ultimately, the alienation of Native American land and forced movement of American Indians from their territory are acknowledged. Dickson Mounds Museum, outside Lewistown, touces on these issues.

A very important analysis of Fulton County, and extending from Petersburg and Lincoln’s New Salem in Menard County, through Fulton County and into Macomb in McDonough County is offered by Illinois Humanities in this one-hour video, covering early settlement to the present day. https://uofi.box.com/s/0bmjb83hk6pvize2lrmjb6yi1b0h92q9

The map above shows the principal towns of the Western Illinois Pioneer Trail. They are discussed on discrete webpages. Please click on the links below or use the pull-down menu.

Forgottonia: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/forgottonia/

Canton: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/canton-il/

Carthage: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/carthage-il/

Colchester: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/colchester-il/

Galesburg: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/galesburg/

Havana: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/havana-il/

Lewistown: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/lewistown-il/

Lincoln’s New Salem: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/lincolns-new-salem-il/

Macomb: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/macomb-il/

Nauvoo: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/nauvoo-il/

Petersburg: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/petersburg-il/

Springfield: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/springfield-il/

Warsaw: https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu/mormon-heritage/warsaw-mormon-era/