Reminiscences of Early Peoria
by Odillon B. Slane
Chapter 17
pages 36-37
OLD PRAIRIE TRAILS
YEARS before white men saw the Illinois country, there
were numberless trails leading from one distant point of interest to another;
there were Indian trails, War trails, Buffalo trails and later, trails of the
French and English explorers. Many of these trails were used for years by the
early settlers, as means of communication; and later many of them became stage
and mail routes. Time and space will not permit us to give a detailed account of
these trails, but those interested are referred to "Randall Parrish's Historic
Illinois" pages 115 to 128. This author says: "The old roads growing out of
these dim traces across the wilderness, were the arteries through which flowed
the life blood of Illinois."
May we mention one Indian trail leading from Rock Island to Fort Clark, Peoria? This trail passed through Stark County --- on and near the Princeville Cemetery, through Blanchard's timber south west of town and through the Auten and Slane land, --- thence South Easterly to Fort Clark.
The Kellogg
trail extended from Peoria to Galena, via Dixon, Illinois. There was also an
army trail (1832) from Dixon to Ottawa. The Kellogg trail was laid out by an
early settler of that name in 1825. It crossed Marshall, Bureau, Lee, Ogle,
Stephenson and Jo Davies Counties. The Kellogg trail followed an old Indian
track ("Historic Illinois," page 172). The natural instinct of the Indian as a
pathfinder was beyond question and the principal trails in an early day show
very few mistakes of judgment. So far as possible large rivers were avoided, but
when they had to be met and crossed, shallow fords were selected, High rocky
hills were penetrated by natural passes,
while the best camping grounds were selected for the end of the day's journey.
It seems that Peoria Lake was a favored meeting place --- the end of many a
long, long Indian trail.
Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!
Copyright © Janine Crandell
All rights reserved
Updated September 20, 2005