A weathered stone marks the spot. This is the Burial Site of Josette Beaubien Plaque. It stands a silent testament to a life lived at the heart of Chicago’s tumultuous beginnings. Here lies Josette Beaubien a survivor of the infamous Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812.
This unassuming plaque in Franklin Park near the Des Plaines River commemorates a remarkable woman. Josette’s story is interwoven with the very fabric of early Chicago. She was not just a resident but a vital part of a community forged in the crucible of conflict and change.
Josette married Jean Baptiste Beaubien one of Chicago’s first settlers. Her brother Claude LaFramboise was a significant Potawatomie chief. These connections placed her at the epicenter of the shifting power dynamics of the era. The War of 1812 profoundly impacted the region. LaFramboise and Chief Alexander Robinson received vast land grants. These lands formed much of present-day Franklin Park and Schiller Park.
The Burial Site of Josette Beaubien Plaque isn’t merely a marker. It represents the resilience of a woman who witnessed unimaginable brutality and yet thrived. She served as a nurse and housekeeper for the Kinzie family. This family too was among Chicago’s earliest pioneers. Josette’s courage is evident in her actions during the Fort Dearborn Massacre. She helped the Kinzies escape by canoe to safety.
The plaque itself was dedicated in 2006 by the Village of Franklin Park and the Illinois State Historical Society. It’s location was rediscovered in 1992 thanks to local history enthusiasts. They found it through research and the memories of Carl Schultz. He remembered seeing the grave as a child. The plot is approximately twenty feet square and holds other burials too.
The Burial Site of Josette Beaubien Plaque is more than just a grave marker. It’s a window into a pivotal period in Chicago history. It reflects the contributions of Native Americans and early settlers. It honors a woman whose life was marked by both tragedy and triumph. It is a place of reflection a place to remember a remarkable individual a crucial figure in Chicago’s past. Take a moment to contemplate Josette’s legacy. Her story remains alive in this quiet corner of Franklin Park.