Historical Markers in Madison County, Illinois
A Changing Waterfront
A National Cemetery System
A-7E Corsair II
Acme School
Alton & Sangamon Railroad
Alton and the Flood of '93
Alton National Cemetery
American Legion Post 365 Veterans Memorial
American Legion Post 917 Veterans Memorial
Baseball
Benjamin Godfrey
Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel
Benjamin Stephenson House
Bethalto's Original Fire Bell
Bethel Meetinghouse
Bob Turley
Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower
Cahokia
Called to Duty
Capt. Curtis Blakeman and the Marine Settlement
Churches
City of Collinstown Uptown Tour
Civil War Memorial
Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand
Coal Mining in Glen
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
College Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Old Rock House
Collinsville
Collinsville Masonic Temple
Confederate Cemetery Monument
Corporal Aaron Joel Ripperda
Corporal Richard A. Hoffmann
Crossroads of Transportation
Culp Lane Park
Deck Cemetery
Dedicated to the Glory of God and to the Veterans of all Wars
Dennis H. Rinderer
Discover History All Around Alton
Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. Way
East St. Louis & Suburban Railway Electric Line Streetcar
Edwardsville
Edwardsville National Bank Clock
Edwardsville, Illinois
Elijah Parish Lovejoy
Elijah Parish Lovejoy
First Cemetery in the City of Edwardsville
First Soybeans Planted in Illinois, 1851
Fort Russell
Founders' Monuments
Freedom Shrine
Freedom's Martyr
Glen Carbon
Glen Carbon Veterans Monument
Glen Carbon Volunteer Fire Department
Glen Carbon Won the Inter-City Championship in 1934
Glenwood Cemetery
Godfrey Cemetery
Godfrey Mansion
Godfrey, Gilman & Co. Warehouse
Goshen Road Terminus
Governor Charles Deneen
Governor Coles and Slavery
Governor Edward Coles
Governor John Reynolds
Governor Ninian Edwards
Governor Thomas Ford
Great River Floods
Haskell Playhouse
Highland
Highland POWs
Homesteads
Illinois Remembers
Illinois Remembers POW/MIA
Illinois Remembers POW/MIA
Imaginary Theatre in Henry's Park
In grateful memory of the early settlers
In Honor of Our Heroes
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
In Memory of Dr. Thomas R. Yates
In Remembrance - Wood River Massacre - July 10, 1814
Industry
Industry and Notable Buildings
John Mason Peck
John "Owen" Brendel
LeClaire, Illinois
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lincoln School
Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Alton
Lincoln-Douglas Debates!
Lindbergh Relay Station
Louis Latzer Monument
Lyman Trumbull House
Madison Coal Corporation Coal Mine #1 & Clover Leaf Station
Madison Coal Corporation Coal Mine #4
Main Street of America ran right through Venice
Marine Chapter House
Maryville
Miles Davis
Monks Mound
Monks Mound - 4th Terrace
Monks Mound - South Ramp
Monks Mound - Southwest Corner
Mont Station
Monticello College
Navy Memorial
Ninian Edwards
Nix/Judy Pioneer Cemetery
North Alton Confederate Cemetery
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Pan
People
Peters Station
Plank Road
Railroad Control Tower
Railroads
Revolutionary War Patriots
Revolutionary War Veterans
Robert Pershing Wadlow
Robert Prager Lynching Site
Ruins of First State Prison in Illinois
Ryder Building
Schiller Chapel
Schools
Scott Bibb and the Alton School Desegregation Case
Sergeant 1st Class Gary J. Vasquez
Sergeant Junior Floyd Roniger
Setting the Stage for the Great Debate
Site of Abraham Lincoln's Speech
Six Mile Prairie
Smallpox Island
Spanish War Veterans
Spindler Monuments
St. Jacob
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Stockade
The 1937 Main Building
The 1960's Additions to the Library Building
The 1986 Additions to the Library Building
The Blum House
The Collinsville Historical Museum
The Cost of Freedom
The D.D. Collins House
The Dorris Fountain
The Duel That Never Happened
The Freedom Tree
The Journey Begins Here
The Legend of the Piasa
The Lewis & Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition in Illinois: A Bicentennial Tribute
The Madison County Centennial Monument
The Madison County Poor Farm
The Magnolia Tree
The Mississippi River Festival
The Pogue Store
The Stockade Path
The Village of Hartford
The Weir House
Trailhead
Troy
Truckin Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel
United States Airmen Memorial
V.F.W. Post 1300 Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial Fountain
Victory Mothers
Village Government 1912
Village Hall & Firehouse
Wanda Methodist Church
Wann Railroad Disaster
War Memorial
Woodhenge
World War I Memorial
Yanda Log Cabin
"fixed on a place to build huts"
About Madison County
Madison County Timeline
Madison County, located in southwestern Illinois, has a rich and varied history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Illini Confederation. European settlement of the region began in the late 17th century with the arrival of French explorers and fur traders. The French established a fortified trading post on the Mississippi River known as Fort de Chartres, which became an important hub for the fur trade in the region.
In the early 19th century, after the Louisiana Purchase, the United States gained control of the area. Madison County was officially established in 1812 and was named in honor of President James Madison. The county became an important transportation and industrial hub due to its strategic location along the Mississippi River and its proximity to St. Louis. The growth of transportation infrastructure, including the construction of canals and railroads, further contributed to the county's development.
During the mid-19th century, Madison County experienced significant population growth and economic prosperity. The county's proximity to coal deposits in southern Illinois led to the establishment of numerous coal mines and the development of the coal industry. In addition, manufacturing and agriculture flourished, with industries such as steel production, pottery, and grain farming becoming prominent. The county's population continued to grow throughout the 20th century, and suburbanization became a significant trend.
Despite its economic success, Madison County also faced challenges and social issues. Racial tensions and inequality persisted, and the county played a significant role in the civil rights movement. In 1953, Madison County became the first county in the state to implement a fair housing ordinance, marking an important step towards equality. Today, Madison County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, with a strong economy, rich cultural heritage, and a commitment to progress and inclusivity.
In the early 19th century, after the Louisiana Purchase, the United States gained control of the area. Madison County was officially established in 1812 and was named in honor of President James Madison. The county became an important transportation and industrial hub due to its strategic location along the Mississippi River and its proximity to St. Louis. The growth of transportation infrastructure, including the construction of canals and railroads, further contributed to the county's development.
During the mid-19th century, Madison County experienced significant population growth and economic prosperity. The county's proximity to coal deposits in southern Illinois led to the establishment of numerous coal mines and the development of the coal industry. In addition, manufacturing and agriculture flourished, with industries such as steel production, pottery, and grain farming becoming prominent. The county's population continued to grow throughout the 20th century, and suburbanization became a significant trend.
Despite its economic success, Madison County also faced challenges and social issues. Racial tensions and inequality persisted, and the county played a significant role in the civil rights movement. In 1953, Madison County became the first county in the state to implement a fair housing ordinance, marking an important step towards equality. Today, Madison County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, with a strong economy, rich cultural heritage, and a commitment to progress and inclusivity.
Madison County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Madison County, Illinois.
- 1805 - Madison County is established by an act of the Illinois Territory Legislature.
- 1812 - The first permanent settlement, known as Fountain Creek, is established.
- 1818 - Illinois becomes a state, and Madison County is incorporated.
- 1820 - The county seat is established in Edwardsville.
- 1835 - Alton becomes the county seat, replacing Edwardsville.
- 1837 - The Alton and Sangamon Railroad, the first railroad in Illinois, begins operations in Madison County.
- 1843 - The Illinois State Normal University, now known as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is established in Edwardsville.
- 1861-1865 - Madison County residents actively participate in the American Civil War.
- 1877 - East St. Louis is officially incorporated as a city in Madison County.
- 1894 - The famous Piasa Bird painting is restored and placed on the limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River in Alton.
- 1917-1918 - Madison County supports the war effort during World War I.
- 1942-1945 - Madison County contributes to the war effort in World War II, with multiple defense industries operating in the area.
- 1954 - Alton becomes the first city in the nation to have a McDonald's restaurant.
- 1973 - The Great Flood of 1973 affects Madison County and causes significant damage.
- 2005 - Madison County celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.