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

WWI War Horses in East Alton

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 29, 2022

1. WWI War Horses in East Alton Marker

Inscription. More than 250,000 horses were brought in from mid and western United States and shipped out of the East Alton stockyards during World War I. The horses of various breeds were shipped overseas to the British, French, and Belgian governments for the cavalry, as well as transporting supplies, artillery, and the wounded in the war in Europe. The sale of horses for the military brought millions of dollars to horse owners. The horses served during battle and were subject to extreme conditions, a big four spur railroad track led to the stockyard on the Bowman and Job Farms in East Alton, which transported the horses by train. Bowman and Job Farms were a "rest stop" for the horses. U.S. law stated that no horse should be on a train for more than 36 hours without being off loaded for feed, water, and rest. The average life expectancy for horses on the front line was 30 days.

Erected 2022 by the Richie family (in memory of Charlie, Scott and Roger), the East Alton History Museum, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists.

Location.

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38° 52.689′ N, 90° 6.203′ W. Marker is in East Alton, Illinois, in Madison County. It is on Washington Avenue south of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of East Alton Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 Washington Ave, East Alton IL 62024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wann Railroad Disaster (approx. half a mile away); Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Freedom Shrine (approx. 2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Veterans Memorial Fountain (approx. 2 miles away); Wood River Massacre (approx. 2.3 miles away); Revolutionary War Veterans (approx. 2½ miles away); McDonnell Douglas F-4C (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Alton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lewis and Clark Expedition (was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on November 5, 2022.

Regarding WWI War Horses in East Alton. According to this article, Illinois State Historical Society Executive Director Bill Furry said that this was the first of their markers that has to do with an animal.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 29, 2022

2. WWI War Horses in East Alton Marker

Marker is in front of East Alton Public Library.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 954 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.