Norwegian Settlers Memorial, Historical immigration memorial in Norway, Illinois, US
The Norwegian Settlers Memorial is a commemorative site featuring multiple plaques honoring Norwegian immigrants, situated along Illinois Route 71 near the Cleng Peerson Memorial Cemetery in LaSalle County. The location marks the first significant area in the Midwest where Norwegian families established a permanent community.
The memorial marks the founding of the first Norwegian settlement in 1834, established by Cleng Peerson who led families from Kendall, New York, to this location. This early community inspired thousands more Norwegian families to migrate to the region and across the Midwest over the following decades.
The settlement became a gathering place for Norwegian families seeking to establish new lives, drawing more arrivals as word spread about opportunities in the area. This early community shaped how later waves of Scandinavian settlers would build their own neighborhoods throughout the Midwest.
The site is accessible during daylight hours and located about 8 miles northeast of Exit 93 on Interstate 80 in Illinois. Visitors should plan to drive to the memorial since the area is rural with limited nearby services.
Among the plaques at the site, one was dedicated by King Olav V of Norway in 1975 to mark 150 years of Norwegian immigration. This royal recognition underscores the importance this early community held for both countries.
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