Veterans Memorial Park
When the first settlers arrived in Hudson Township in 1829, the Potawatomi lived along the Six Mile Creek west of Hudson. The first settlers built a settlement about a mile west from Hudson, which was near the Potawatomi village. It was named Havens Grove after Jesse Havens. One residence built by the Wheeler family still stands in this area.
History tells us that the Potawatomi left under some type of duress in 1831. It is believed the story told to Etta Havens Carrithers by her father, Hiram Havens, is true. On May 16, 1831, Jesse Havens and two other county commissioners held a meeting at Havens’ home to discuss the Indian situation because of their concern that some Potawatomi were stealing cattle and ponies. It was suggested that a firebrand should be set to their village. Shortly afterward, a group of boys, including Hiram Havens, burned the village while the Potawatomi were away hunting.
History also tells us, that for the most part the Potawatomi were good neighbors, and the early settlers, especially the women, were so lonely they were glad to have the squaws visit.
This large boulder was dug from the Six Mile Creek. It was first placed just west of I-39 in Havens Grove by the Letitia Green Stevenson chapter of the Bloomington DAR on Flag Day, June 14, 1920, to designate the last stand of the Potawatomi in McLean County in 1831. When I-39 was constructed, the boulder had to be removed. The Village of Hudson allowed it to be placed in Veterans Memorial Park among other historical items.