Alton in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elijah Parish Lovejoy
[South side]
Albion, Me.,
Nov. 8. 1802.
Nov. 7, 1837.
A Martyr to Liberty
"I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery,
and by the blessing of God I will never turn back."
[East side:]
Moderator of Alton Presbytery-
"If the laws of my country fail to protect me I will appeal to God, and with Him I certainly rest my cause— I can die at my post, but I cannot desert it."
[North side]
"But, gentlemen, as long as I am an American citizen, and as long as American blood runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, to publish whatever I please on any subject—being amenable to the laws of my country for the same."
[West side:]
This monument commemorates the valor, devotion
and sacrifice of the noble
defenders of the press.
Who, in this city, on
Nov. 7, 1837
Made the first armed resistance to the
aggression of the slave power in America.
Erected 1897 by The State of Illinois and Citizens
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Churches & Religion • Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 38° 53.407′ N, 90° 9.957′ W. Marker is in Alton, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of East 5th Street and Monument Avenue, on the left on East 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alton IL 62002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Elijah Parish Lovejoy (a few steps from this marker); Freedom's Martyr (a few steps from this marker); The Cost of Freedom (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alton National Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scott Bibb and the Alton School Desegregation Case (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lyman Trumbull House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Haskell Playhouse (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alton.
Internet Archive
6. Lovejoy Monument
Cost $30,000
Dedicated at Alton Ill., Nov. 8, 1897
Cost $30,000
Dedicated at Alton Ill., Nov. 8, 1897
From Elijah Parish Lovejoy as a Christian by Melvin Jameson, 1910.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 6. submitted on November 14, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
