War Memorial

Historical marker location:

100 South 10th Street, Mount Vernon, Illinois

( Memorial is at the intersection of 10th Street (Illinois Route 37) and Main Street (Illinois Route 15), on the left when traveling south on 10th Street.)

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was one of the most devastating fires in U.S. history. The fire destroyed much of the city, including over 17,000 buildings and left more than 100,000 people homeless. The fire started in a barn owned by Patrick and Catherine O'Leary, but the cause of the fire is still debated to this day.