Galesburg in Knox County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Main
Erected 1856
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 19, 2023
1. Old Main Marker
Scene of the fifth debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas held on the East side of this building October 7, 1858. Restored and rededicated during the Knox College centenary, 1937.
"Old Main, Rededicated to youth, stands as a symbol of the permanence of Knox College and of its faith in the future."
Janet Greig Post, Chairman of the Restoration Committee
Erected 1937 by Knox College.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 40° 56.596′ N, 90° 22.271′ W. Marker is in Galesburg, Illinois, in Knox County. It can be reached from East South Street 0.1 miles west of South Cherry Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the wall to the West side of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 East South Street, Galesburg IL 61401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: This Memorial Tablet (here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln Knox College (a few steps from this marker); Stephen A. Douglas at Knox College (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln-Douglas Debate (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fifth Debate (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spanish-American War Cannon (about 600 feet away); Knox County Armed Forces Memorial (about 600 feet away); Mary A. Bickerdyke (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galesburg.
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 19, 2023
2. Old Main Marker
Located to the west of the main entrance of Old Main, indicated by the arrow.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
