Student Resources

Key events in the history of Bourbonnais, Illinois -

· 1829–1832: Francois Bourbonnais, Sr., a French-Canadian fur trader, lived north of Bourbonnais Creek. He traded with the Potawatomi people and was named the namesake of the settlement (Bourbonnais Grove).

· 1834: French-Canadian fur trader Noel LeVasseur established a trading post in the settlement, which became a focal point for the community.

· 1837: A log schoolhouse was built in the settlement.

· 1847: George Letourneau, who would later become the first mayor of Bourbonnais, arrived in the settlement.

· 1853: The Illinois legislature formed Kankakee County out of the north part of Iroquois County and the south part of Will County which included north and south banks of the Kankakee River. Bourbonnais Grove became a part of Kankakee County.

· 1858: Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was built using limestone by residents.

· 1865: St. Viator College for boys was founded by the Viatorians as an academy for boys in 1865 and received a university charter from the state of Illinois in 1874

· 1875: Bourbonnais Grove was incorporated as the Village of Bourbonnais, with George R. LeTourneau as its first mayor.

· 2015: The Illinois State Legislature passed a resolution designating a portion of Interstate 57 as the French Canadian Heritage Corridor, which includes Bourbonnais

 Noel Levasseur (1799–1879) was a French-Canadian fur trader and early settler in Illinois. He played a significant role in the development of the Bourbonnais area, where he settled and established a community. Levasseur is credited with founding Bourbonnais Grove, Illinois, and he worked to promote the settlement of French Canadians in the region, fostering its growth as a hub for French-speaking immigrants in the 19th century. His legacy is remembered for helping to shape the cultural and economic landscape of the area. 

 (also see the “Episode 1: Potawatomi Peril” video)

Thi map from the French Canadian Interview Project illustrates the historical extent of New France, the French colonial territory in North America, established during explorations beginning in 1543. It highlights the Illinois Country, which in 1717 was detached from the Canadian part of New France and placed under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana colony. This region remained under French control until 1763 and briefly from 1800 to 1803, when Napoleon Bonaparte sold Louisiana to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. 

French Canadians

The map provides context to the French-Canadian heritage in areas south of the Great Lakes, including parts of present-day Illinois. 

Ready to explore Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society? Find information on our hours, admission prices, and location, as well as tips for making the most of your visit, on our Plan Your Visit page.

Bourbonnais, Illinois, founded in the 1830s, is rooted in French-Canadian heritage, thanks to settlers like Noel Le Vasseur, who encouraged Francophone migration to the area. Named after fur trader François Bourbonnais, the village grew as an agricultural community and was shaped by its Catholic traditions, with the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church as a cultural cornerstone. Originally inhabited by Potawatomi Native Americans, the area evolved into a thriving settlement blending French and American influences. Today, Bourbonnais celebrates its rich history while serving as a hub for education and culture, notably home to Olivet Nazarene University on the former site of t St. Viator College, a Catholic liberal arts institution founded in 1868 by the Clerics of St. Viator

Dave King was born on March 1, 1959, and passed away on September 17, 2017, at the age of 58. A resident of Bradley, Illinois, he was a passionate musician and co-owner of King Music in Bradley. He founded the Theatiki Fife and Drum Corps and was deeply involved in preserving local history.  King's "Le Petit Canada Project" focused on the early French-Canadian settlement known as Le Petit Canada, located near Davis Creek in Bourbonnais and Rockville Townships, Kankakee County, Illinois. This settlement emerged in the late 1830s and had largely disappeared by the 1870s. Through his project, King had collected and shared information about this long-lost community, contributing valuable insights into the migration patterns and cultural heritage of French-Canadian settlers in the region.

The Indian Caves, located within Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais, Illinois, are natural limestone formations along Bourbonnais Creek near its confluence with the Kankakee River. These caves have been shaped over time by water and wind erosion, creating a narrow ravine that leads to the river. Historically, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, who utilized the caves for shelter and other purposes. Today, the Indian Caves are a popular attraction for visitors interested in exploring natural geological features and the region's cultural history. Perry Farm Park offers paved trails that provide access to the caves, allowing visitors to enjoy the surrounding woods and prairie landscapes. The park is open year-round from dawn until dusk, offering various recreational opportunities for all ages