The French Canadian Heritage Corridor in Illinois
Historic Places along the Corridor
In 2015 the Illinois State Legislature designated a portion of Interstate 57 as the French Canadian Heritage Corridor to honor the contributions by French Canadians in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. Signs at southbound exit 322 near Manteno and northbound exit 293 near Ashkum mark the corridor.
French Canadian settlements such as Bourbonnais, St. George, L'Erable, Papineau, and St. Anne were established along the corridor between the 1820s and 1850s.
History and genealogy resources
- French Heritage Museum, Kankakee, Illinois
- French Canadian Heritage Wall, near L310, main campus bldg, Kankakee Community College
- George R. Letourneau Home Museum, Bourbonnais, Illinois
- Kankakee Valley Genealogical Society, Kankakee, Illinois
- Iroquois County Genealogical Society, Watseka, Illinois
Historically significant churches in the corridor
- Maternity BVM Church Bourbonnais, Illinois
- St. Rose of Lima Chapel, Kankakee, Illinois
- National Shrine of St. Anne Church, St. Anne Illinois
- St. Mary's Church, Beaverville, Illinois
- St. John the Baptist, L'Erable, Illinois
New 7-state French Heritage Corridor!
BGHS is now part of the French Heritage Society's French Heritage Corridor project, which includes 7 Midwest states.
Details about this exciting initiative can be found at French Heritage Corridor - French Heritage Society.
There is so much French history in our community. Here is a suggested weekend mini tour of this rich heritage that is all around us.
https://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/blog/weekend-tour-of-french-canadian-heritage-corridor