Long before Illinois became a state, Native American communities called this land home, building thriving settlements, developing rich cultural traditions and shaping the region’s history. During Native American Heritage Month and beyond, Illinoisans can learn more about that history by exploring historic sites across the state.
One of the most remarkable is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville. More than 1,000 years ago, Cahokia was home to one of the largest Indigenous cities north of Mexico, with a peak population of nearly 20,000 and covered roughly 4,000 acres. Today, the park – which is Illinois’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site – preserves a little over 2,000 acres including 72 of the remaining mounds.
In Fulton County, Dickson Mounds Museum near Lewistown explores thousands of years of Native American life in the Illinois River Valley. Through educational exhibits, archaeological discoveries and walking trails, visitors can learn about the communities that lived along the river and their lasting connections to the land.
Along the Mississippi River in Whiteside County, Albany Mounds State Historic Site preserves evidence of Indigenous communities dating back thousands of years. The site includes surviving burial mounds associated with the Middle Woodland period – between 200 BCE and 300 CE – offering an important connection to the region’s early history.
Further south, Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site near the Ohio River preserves remnants of another significant Illinoisan settlement. Once a center of community life and regional trade, the site helps illustrate the connections between Indigenous communities throughout the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys.
These places are more than reminders of the past. They offer opportunities to recognize the ingenuity, traditions and enduring influence of Native peoples whose descendants and communities continue to contribute to Illinois today.
This Native American Heritage Month, take time to explore Illinois’ Indigenous history, learn about the people who shaped our state and appreciate the cultures that remain an important part of its identity.
