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

Ham Gravy

Photographed by Edward Troxel, April 21, 2022

1. Ham Gravy Details

Inscription.
On Dec. 19, 1919 Harold Hamgravy and Olive Oyl became the premiere characters of Segar's Cartoon Series, Thimble Theatre. Popeye's debut would follow Jan. 17, 1929.

Erected 2021 by City of Chester.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 37° 54.232′ N, 89° 49.667′ W. Marker is in Chester, Illinois, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of State Street (Route 150) and Taylor Street, on the left when traveling west on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 State 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Revolutionary War Patriots (within shouting distance of this marker); Statehood of Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Weistar House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cole Oyl (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Mather (approx. 0.2 miles away); Toar (approx. ¼ mile away); Port of Chester, Illinois Welcoming Mississippi River Travelers since 1829 (approx. ¼ mile away); The River Boats (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

Regarding Ham Gravy. Harold Ham Gravy

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is one of the four characters to be introduced in the first published Thimble Theatre cartoon on Dec. 19, 1919. He was the on-and-off-again boyfriend of Olive Oyl and was quickly written out of the script once Popeye arrived on the scene.

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 August 19, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Ham Gravy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Edward Troxel, April 21, 2022

2. Ham Gravy Marker

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 19, 2025

3. Ham Gravy Marker

Across from the Randolph County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2022, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 681 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2022, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. 3. submitted on August 19, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.