Iliniwek Village State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iliniwek Village State Historic Site |
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 Iliniwek Village State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Iliniwek Village State Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Clark Country, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 127.49 acres (51.59 ha) |
| Established | 1992 |
| Visitors | 11,454 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Iliniwek Village State Historic Site |
The Iliniwek Village State Historic Site is a special place in Clark County, Missouri. It is looked after by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This site protects the only known village of the Illinois Indian tribe found in Missouri.
Contents
Discovering Iliniwek Village
This historic site was bought by the state of Missouri in 1992. It covers about 127 acres of land. It is a very important place for archaeologists, who study old human history. This is because the village is very large and well-preserved.
Experts believe it is the biggest and best-preserved village of the Illinois Indian tribe. People lived here from about 1640 to 1683. The village likely had at least 300 homes, called lodges. Around 8,000 tribe members may have lived there.
What Archaeologists Found
During digs in the 1990s, archaeologists made exciting discoveries. They found the foundations of many houses. They also found storage pits where food and supplies were kept. Evidence of a strong fence, called a palisade, was also found. This palisade likely helped protect the village.
Archaeologists also found small items that show contact with early European explorers. These items included glass beads and metal objects. They even found special rings called Jesuit trade rings. These finds help us understand how the Illinois people lived. They also show how they interacted with Europeans.
First European Visitors
The Illinois Indian tribe were the first Native Americans in Missouri to meet Europeans. This happened when Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette visited the village in 1673. They were explorers who traveled through the area.
Visiting the Site
The Iliniwek Village State Historic Site is located on a high sandy area. It is above the Des Moines River floodplain. You can find it off Clark County Road 188. It is about two miles south of St. Francisville, Missouri.
What to See and Do
There is a walking trail that is about one and a quarter miles long. Along the trail, you will find signs that explain the history of the village. You can also see the remains of a typical Illinois Tribe-style long house. There is also an example of an Illinois round house. The site also has an oxbow lake, which is a U-shaped lake.
You can visit the site all year round. It is open from sunrise to sunset. However, from November through March, a gate blocks cars from entering. There are also limited picnic areas and restrooms available for visitors.
