Iliniwek Village State Historic Site

Iliniwek Village State Historic Site
Missouri State Historic Site
Country United States
State Missouri
County Clark
Coordinates 40°25′51″N 91°33′17″W / 40.43083°N 91.55472°W / 40.43083; -91.55472Coordinates: 40°25′51″N 91°33′17″W / 40.43083°N 91.55472°W / 40.43083; -91.55472
Area 127.49 acres (52 ha) [1]
State purchase 1992 [2]
Management Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Website: Iliniwek Village State Historic Site

The Iliniwek Village State Historic Site is a state-owned property in Clark County, Missouri, maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, preserving the only known Illinois Indian village discovered in Missouri.[3]

History

Acquired by the state of Missouri in 1992, the 127-acre historic site has proved to be an important archaeological discovery due to its size and quality of preservation.[3] It is considered the largest and best preserved of any Illinois Indian village. The village was occupied from approximately 1640 to 1683. During that time the village contained at least three hundred (300) lodges with an estimated population in excess of eight thousand (8,000) tribe members. Archaeological digs in the 1990s discovered numerous house foundations, storage pits and evidence of a palisade fortification. The remains of at least one tribal member were also recovered at the site, in 1998.[4] Among smaller items found was evidence of contact with early European explorers and traders, including glass beads, metal objects, and Jesuit trade rings.[3] The Illinois Indian tribe were the first Native Americans encountered in present-day Missouri by Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette, who visited the village in 1673.

The site today

Located on a high sand terrace above the Des Moines River floodplain, the site can be reached by traveling US Highway 61 to Missouri Highway 27. Travel 4.8 miles then turn east on an unmarked gravel road.[5] A short walking trail with interpretive signage encompasses most of the historic site. Limited picknicking and restroom facilities are available. Camping is available at the nearby Battle of Athens State Historic Site, as well as any assistance needed. The unstaffed site is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, however a gate blocks vehicle traffic from November through March.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Missouri State Park Advisory Board Annual Report 2008". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Iliniwek Village State Historic Site". Missouri State Parks. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Notice of Inventory Completion: Missouri Department of Natural Resources" (PDF). Federal Register. February 22, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Iliniwek Village State Historic Site". Great River Road. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
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