Springfield, Illinois: Departure Point Of The Donner Party
A plaque, placed in 1957, delicately mentions the pioneers' "ill-fated trip to California." They wound up eating each other.
- Address:
- 98 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL
- Directions:
- Downtown, two blocks south of Hwy 29, between 5th and 6th Sts. On a brick wall along with several other plaques on the pedestrian mall that runs along the south side of the old state capitol.
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Starting Spot of the Donner Party
It is behind the old state capital. The plaque is facing the old capital building. The brick building behind the capital building has 2 glass doors on either side. Plaque was bigger than expected.
[Steve, 05/24/2009]My little lady and I (Laura Fiorilli, also a Smiler) took a grand trip home to North Carolina from Chicago in December. Some things we saw on the way:
1) In Springfield, Illinois, downtown on (I think) Lincoln Square, there's a plaque commemorating the starting spot of the Donner Party. Especially convenient if you're visiting the Lincoln Home or doing the walking tour of the Springfield Race Riot of 1908.
2) We hit Olney too late to see the white squirrels in person, but we did get to see the town's christmas light extravaganza which featured some impossibly cute kids and giant wooden models of the white squirrels.
[Josh Lucas, 01/18/1998]Nearby Offbeat Places
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The plaque, placed in 1957, delicately mentions the pioneers' "ill-fated trip to California."