"Brick Row"

Historical marker location:

Great Lakes, Illinois

( Marker is at the intersection of Decatur Avenue and Lawrence Street, on the right when traveling east on Decatur Avenue.)

Great Lakes History Trail Stop 8.

Illinois was the first state in the country to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. The amendment was ratified by Illinois on February 1, 1865, before it was ratified by any other state.