1870 Atlanta Public School Stone

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020

1. 1870 Atlanta Public School Stone Marker

Inscription. This stone is from the façade of the Atlanta Public School constructed in 1870 to replace the town's original Seminary Building. The 1870 school included 10 schoolrooms, a spacious recital hall, and an office. An $800 Seth Thomas, four-dial clock was located in a cupola tower atop the building. The clock rang for the first time on August 10, 1871. According to the Atlanta Argus, "It could be heard all over town, giving students and parents alike no excuse for tardiness in arriving for classes."

The school's clock stopped at 3:35pm on July 21, 1908 when the building was destroyed by fire. The Argus reported, "It is supposed that the fire originated from a spark from a burning brush pile. A lot of trees in the schoolyard have recently been sacrificed and in cleaning up the brush a large bonfire was made not a great distance from the building, Likely the fire in this way communicated to the dry shingle roof and it was not long until the whole building was ablaze."

Erected by City of Atlanta, Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1871.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

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It was located near 40° 15.635′ N, 89° 13.912′ W. Marker was in Atlanta, Illinois, in Logan County. It could be reached from the intersection of South East Race Street and SW Arch Street. Marker is located at Atlanta's Route 66 Park, with several other markers. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 109 S E Race St, Atlanta IL 61723, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Central Illinois

and in Greater Springfield.

It was also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: 1870 Public School Stone (here, next to this marker); Being the First: African-Americans in Atlanta (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Atlanta High School Cornerstone (here, next to this marker); a different marker also

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020

2. 1870 Atlanta Public School Stone Marker

named Knights of Pythias "Memorial Tree" Stone (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Field Marker Stone (here, next to this marker); Wheels of Fortune on 66 (a few steps from this marker); "Bubbler" Drinking Fountain (a few steps from this marker); Midway on Illinois's Mother Road Mural (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Other markers no longer nearby. Atlanta High School Cornerstone (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Knights of Pythias "Memorial Tree" Stone (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Field Marker Stone (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Welcome to the Atlanta Route 66 Park (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Drinking Fountain (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "Atlanta: Midway on Illinois' Mother Road" Mural (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Route 66 Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020

3. Route 66 Park

Marker is located here, along with several local pieces of history.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 25, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.