Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Weir House

Photographed By Jason Voigt, December 5, 2021

1. The Weir House Marker

Inscription. This Federal-style home was built in 1836 for Dr. John Weir (1809-1878) and his first wife, Hepzibah Damon (1810-1838). His first patients entered the house through a side entrance on the north face of the building. Weir, both a surgeon and physician, also served as doctor for the Madison County Poor Farm. Weir was a popular orator who often spoke in support of temperance and abolitionist causes. Descendants of Dr. Weir and his second wife, Mary Hoxsey (1810-1887), occupied the house until 1963 when it was sold to the Madison County Historical Society. The Society opened it as a museum in 1964.

Erected 2021 by Madison County Historical Society, City of Edwardsville and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Architecture • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 38° 48.998′ N, 89° 57.708′ W. Marker is in Edwardsville, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is on North Main Street (Illinois Route 159) north of West E Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in front of the Madison County Historical Museum.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 N Main St, Edwardsville IL 62025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Governor Coles and Slavery (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Pogue Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edwardsville National Bank Clock (approx. ¼ mile away); First Cemetery in the City of Edwardsville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Abraham Lincoln's Speech (approx. 0.4 miles away); Edwardsville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ninian Edwards (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwardsville.

More about this marker. Marker was unveiled and dedicated on December 5, 2021, despite of it saying June 2021. It was the first Illinois State Historical Society marker put up in their centennial year (the Society began on December 3, 1921).

Also see . . . MCHS News, November 2020 edition (PDF). This talks more about John Weir and the house. The house, which has served as a museum for Madison County, has been renovated the last few years as it is still not open to the public. It is the MCHS's goal to open the house as a museum again once goals have been met (as of late 2021). (Submitted on December 5, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, December 5, 2021

2. The Weir House Marker

Madison County Historical Museum sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, December 5, 2021

3. Madison County Historical Museum sign

Looking south on Illinois routes 143 & 159 (Main Street)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, December 5, 2021

4. The Weir House Marker

This may be the side entrance mentioned on the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.