Sangamon County, Illinois

Sangamon River Crossing

Monday 24 Sep

, traveled 15 miles from Monticello to Sangamon Crossing in Illinois.

Tuesday 25 Sep

stayed in camp. To allow the sick left at Pyatt’s Point yesterday time to join us, and to give the emigrants generally a respite, and to bring up the business of the emigration, it was determined to remain in camp today. The baggage wagons were weighed and reloaded during the day and matters of the emigrants made more comfortable. Sometime in the afternoon the sick left at the encampment of yesterday arrived. Directly after their arrival a woman among the number died. The rest were but little if any improved. A child also died this evening. The farther we advance the more sickly seems the character of the country. It is sometimes very difficult to procure provisions and forage owing to the general prostration of the husbandry. Most of the Indian men were permitted to go on a hunting excursion today. They brought in a considerable quantity of game.

Proceed straight (west) on Railroad Street to stop sign. Turn left (south) onto West Union, which becomes Allerton Road and heads southwest out of Monticello. Stay on Allerton Road for about 7 miles, pass south entrance to Allerton Park (on the right) and go about 1.5 miles. Turn right (west) onto 1300N for 1.6 miles. (This intersection is odd and the sign for 1300N is off to the left, partially obscured.). Turn left (south) onto 350E for 0.6 mile. Turn right (west) onto 1220N for 0.8 mile. 1220N has a short section that runs NE-SW. Turn left (south) onto 275E for 0.9 mile. Turn right (west) onto 1100N for 0.7 mile. Turn left (south) onto 200E for 2 miles. 200E has some sections that run NE-SW. Turn right (west) onto 1075N for 1 mile. At this point 1075N junctions with IL48 that goes to Cerro Gordo. Turn left (south) on IL48 for 1 mile. Turn right (west) onto 950N which becomes Donavan Road and runs along side of Sangamon River. Sangamon Crossing will be about 1.2 miles after 950N becomes Donavan Road. Sangamon Crossing is in private ownership. It has a dirt road leading to it that is blocked by a gate composed of two metal bars that cross over the road. It is presumed that the Trail of Death crossed the Sangamon River at this point. The marker denoting the Sangamon Crossing encampment is on the opposite (west) side of the river at the east end of Caleb Road.

Continue on Donavan Road 1.9 miles to Ruch Road. Turn left (south) onto Ruch Road and go 0.3 mile. Turn right (west) onto Cabin Road for 1.5 miles. Turn right (north) onto Oakley (crossing Sangamon River) for 0.9 mile. Turn right (east) onto Caleb for 0.8 mile to the historical marker denoting encampment at Sangamon Crossing. The Trail of Death marker is on the southeast corner of Dunbar and Caleb roads, near a house. This is known as the Sangamon Crossing (crossing of the Sangamon River).

This page updated Feb 24, 2012.