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Illinois History Trivia Quiz

Once again we will take a look at the various points in the history of Illinois. I have tried to provide a variety of questions that cover a diverse range of subjects.

A multiple-choice quiz by mmaryj. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
mmaryj

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
266,566

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1311

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Question 1 of 10

1. What do the names Peoria, Kaskaskia, Tamaroa, Cahokia and Michigamea have in common? Hint

They are the names of towns

The names of Indian battles

They are the names of Indian chiefs

They are the names of Indian tribes that formed the Illini Confederation

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Mound City, located on the banks of the Ohio River just north of Cairo was
the location of a Civil War Hospital and shipbuilding yards. During the
Civil War this engineer designed ironclad ships that were built here. Hint

James B. Eads

William Bains

Buchanan Elder

Millford Emery

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. About 10 miles east of St. Louis near Collinsville are remnants of this
Mississippian city. Parts of the site include Woodhenge, Monks Mound and
the Central Plaza. This site has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Can
you name this?
Hint

Cahokia Mound State Historic Site

Monksville

Koster

Alton

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. George Rogers Clark and his band of Kentucky Long Knives left the abandoned
Fort Massac on their trek to Fort Kaskaskia, their mission being to take
the fort from the British. What happened when Clark arrived? Hint

The British captured Clark

The fort was taken without firing a shot

The British had enlisted the Indians to attack Clark

The fort was empty when he arrived

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. On a July morning in 1915 passengers were boarding this steamer for a picnic in Michigan City, Indiana. While docked near Clark Street on the Chicago River
she started listing. Several minutes later she was on her side. Over 800 died leaving her as being the worst single disaster in Chicago history. What is the name of this steamer? Hint

The Streetorville

The Lake Michigan

The Eastland

The La Salle

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. This great road beginning in Cumberland, Maryland in 1811 had extended to Vandalia, Illinois by the 1830's. Can you name this road? Hint

The National Road

The Great Wagon Road

The Goshen Trail

The Cumberland Turnpike

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The children's building logs known as Lincoln Logs were first produced in
Chicago, Illinois. What is the name of the owner(s)of the manufacturing company? Hint

The Lincoln Family

The Lincoln Trust

Hasbro Toys

John Lloyd Wright

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Route 66 ran through the heartland of Illinois, connecting
Chicago with St. Louis. Can you name the Illinois segment of Route 66 was
called prior to being named Route 66? Then the last part of the question is
what Interstate follows the old Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis?

Hint

Pontiac Trail / Interstate 55

Joliet Road / Interstate 88

Army Trail Road/ Interstate 24

Rockford Road / Interstate 39

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Chicago was named after the Indian word checagou. What is the meaning of checagou? Hint

Land of much water

Place of the wild onion or garlic

The chief

Land of the great lake

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. George and Jacob Donner of the Donner Party were from what Illinois town?

Hint

Springfield

Galesburg

Peoria

Alton

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What do the names Peoria, Kaskaskia, Tamaroa, Cahokia and Michigamea have in common?

Answer: They are the names of Indian tribes that formed the Illini Confederation

These were the main tribes that constituted the Illini Confederation. There
were also smaller groups, but were not of the significance of the five major
tribes. These tribes had common cultures that spoke similar dialects
of the Algonquin language.

2. Mound City, located on the banks of the Ohio River just north of Cairo was the location of a Civil War Hospital and shipbuilding yards. During the Civil War this engineer designed ironclad ships that were built here.

Answer: James B. Eads

James Buchannan Eads designed ironclad gunboats at the Mounds City
Shipyards. Eads is also famous for the arch bridge over the Mississippi that
connects St. Louis and East St. Louis. To his credit is the diving bell and
the a system of jetties at New Orleans to provide for a navigation channel.

3. About 10 miles east of St. Louis near Collinsville are remnants of this Mississippian city. Parts of the site include Woodhenge, Monks Mound and the Central Plaza. This site has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Can you name this?

Answer: Cahokia Mound State Historic Site

The Cahokia Mound State Historic Site is located in the American Bottom Lands,
an area that is supported by the Mississippi River, The Illinois River and
the Missouri River, making this area an ideal location for the Mississippian
culture to thrive. The mounds were name Cahokia after a local Indian tribe.

4. George Rogers Clark and his band of Kentucky Long Knives left the abandoned Fort Massac on their trek to Fort Kaskaskia, their mission being to take the fort from the British. What happened when Clark arrived?

Answer: The fort was taken without firing a shot

Clark had the element of surprise when he arrived at Fort Kaskaskia. The
Commander was still in bed and he was able to take the fort without use
of force.

5. On a July morning in 1915 passengers were boarding this steamer for a picnic in Michigan City, Indiana. While docked near Clark Street on the Chicago River she started listing. Several minutes later she was on her side. Over 800 died leaving her as being the worst single disaster in Chicago history. What is the name of this steamer?

Answer: The Eastland

Employees of Western Electric were boarding the steamer for the company picnic
in Michigan City, Indiana. The Eastland had a history of being top-heavy and
listing on numerous occasions.

6. This great road beginning in Cumberland, Maryland in 1811 had extended to Vandalia, Illinois by the 1830's. Can you name this road?

Answer: The National Road

The National Road was the first federal funded road project. Today U.S. Rt. 40
basically follows the route of the National Road from Vandalia, Illinois East.

7. The children's building logs known as Lincoln Logs were first produced in Chicago, Illinois. What is the name of the owner(s)of the manufacturing company?

Answer: John Lloyd Wright

The J. L. Wright Manufacturing Company was the first to produce Lincoln Logs.
It is also interesting the John Lloyd Wright is the son of Frank Lloyd Wright.

8. Route 66 ran through the heartland of Illinois, connecting Chicago with St. Louis. Can you name the Illinois segment of Route 66 was called prior to being named Route 66? Then the last part of the question is what Interstate follows the old Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis?

Answer: Pontiac Trail / Interstate 55

The Illinois segment of Route 66 was previously known as Pontiac Trail.
Interstate 55 through Illinois follows Route 66.

9. Chicago was named after the Indian word checagou. What is the meaning of checagou?

Answer: Place of the wild onion or garlic

Checagou is the Indian name for the place of the wild onion or garlic. According to what references you read the name will vary between onion or
garlic. These plants grew in abundance in the area that is now known as
Chicago metropolitan area.

10. George and Jacob Donner of the Donner Party were from what Illinois town?

Answer: Springfield

George and Jacob Donner were from the Springfield, IL area. Part of the
party was organized in that area.

Source: Author mmaryj

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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