|
On a
high sand terrace above the Des Moines River floodplain in northeast
Missouri is the Iliniwek Village State Historic Site. The site is
considered the largest and best preserved remnant known of any village
of the Illinois tribal group. The Illini were a vigorous, populous
Algonquin nation who called themselves "Hileni" or "Iliniwek" which
means "men." The Iliniwek Village State Historic Site was occupied from
approximately 1640-1683 A.D. and was where the French explorers Louis
Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette first encountered Native Americans
in 1673 in what is now the state of Missouri. The Jolliet-Marquette
expedition journals indicated that this summer village had nearly 300
lodges and was laid out with streets. Evidence of early European contact
appears in archaeological finds through glass beads, metal objects and
Jesuit trade rings. Exhibits at the site interpret the history and daily
life of the Illini and the Jolliet and Marquette expedition. A short
walking trail crosses the site, and the location of an excavated Illini
longhouse is marked to show its size. Visiting the
Iliniwek Village State Historic Site
The
Iliniwek Village State Historic Site
grounds are open from sunrise to sunset year-round.
From November through March, the entrance gate remains closed;
however, limited parking is available outside the gate for walk-in
visitation. Groups of five or more people may arrange for a tour by
contacting Battle of Athens State Historic Site staff at 660-877-3871 in
advance.
There is no charge to visit the Iliniwek State
Historic Site.
Location:
The Iliniwek Village State Historic Site is located near the
Missouri/Iowa border east of Kahoka. To get to the site from St.
Louis travel north on US-61 to MO-27. Turn left/north MO-27 and travel
about 4.8 miles before turning right/east onto an unmarked gravel road.
Take the gravel road .7 miles to an intersection. Turn left/north and
travel .4 miles to the site entrance on the right.
Iliniwek Village
State Historic Site - Official site maintained by the Missouri
Department of Natural Resources.
 Learn more about the
Clark County
area.
|
