Chester in Randolph County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Toar

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 30, 2020

1. Toar Marker

Inscription.
20,000 year old caveman debuted on February 7, 1935 as Popeye's foe but soon became one of his most trusted friends

Erected 2020 by City of Chester.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is February 7, 1935.

Location. 37° 54.058′ N, 89° 49.768′ W. Marker is in Chester, Illinois, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of Wall Street and East Kaskaskia Street, on the left when traveling south on Wall Street. Marker is outside St. Nicholas Landmark. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 223 Wall St, Chester IL 62233, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas Mather (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port of Chester, Illinois Welcoming Mississippi River Travelers since 1829 (about 300 feet away); The River Boats (about 300 feet away); Ham Gravy (approx. ¼ mile away); Statehood of Illinois (approx. ¼ mile away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. ¼ mile away); Weistar House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

Also see . . . Popeye and Friends Character Trail. The City of Chester has celebrated one of its most famous residents, E.C. Segar (creator of Popeye comic strip), for many years. In 1977, a park by the Mississippi River was dedicated and named after Segar. That same year, a statue of Popeye was placed there. From 2006 to 2022, there have been Popeye character statues erected around town at various places. All of those typically have the donors' names on the base, as well as the city leaders of that year. Most of the statues have historical text on them. (Submitted on December 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Additional keywords. cartoon characters, comic strip character

Toar statue image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 30, 2020

2. Toar statue

Front of the statue, with Chester Bridge in the background
"Toar, newest member of Popeye Trail, arrives at St. Nicholas Landmark"
Carbondale Times website entry
Click for more information.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 30, 2020

3. Toar Marker

Back of the statue, with historical part on the base

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.