Near Petersburg in Menard County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Dr. Benjamin Franklin Stephenson
1823 - 1871
He originated the G.A.R. name, ritual and constitution of Post No. 1, Decatur April 6, 1866, called First National G.A.R. Convention and was its First Adjutant General.
Erected 1955 by Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1863.
Location. 40° 0.783′ N, 89° 49.719′ W. Marker is near Petersburg, Illinois, in Menard County. It is on Sangamon Avenue (Illinois Route 123) west of Curtis Black Top, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg IL 62675, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois, specifically in the Illinois River Valley, and in Greater Springfield. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of the First "Circus Barn" (approx. one mile away); Lincoln in Petersburg (approx. 1.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 1.1 miles away); Peter McCue (approx. 1.1 miles away); Lincoln the Surveyor (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Survey of Petersburg (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Frackelton State Bank (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,546 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4, 5. submitted on November 3, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.




