Guerdon Saltonstall Hubbard was born in Vermont in 1802. At age 16, he became an indentured servant to John Jacobs Astor’s American Fur Company. Hubbard established trading posts for fur at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) and in Danville at the northwest corner of Danville Riverfront Plaza lot at 2 E. Main St. His trail, known as Hubbard’s Trace, between Fort Dearborn and Danville was the only identifiable route through a prairie wilderness. That “trace” is now known at IL Rt. 1.
Early versions of this mural spelled Hubbard’s first name “Gurdon” but it was repainted as “Guerdon.” History of Vermilion County by Hiram Beckwith, written in 1879 uses both spellings.
Walldog Artist, Dave Petri
Located: West wall in Alley behind building at 120 N. Vermilion St. (see from Walnut St., one block west of Vermilion St.)