Zion in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Zion Hotel
Elijah Hospice
| — | 1902 - 1979 | — |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
1. Zion Hotel Marker
Erected in 1902 to provide a temporary lodging house for the followers of John Alexander Dowie, founder of the Christian Catholic Church and Zion City, Elijah Hospice was believed to be the largest wooden balloon-frame structure in the world. Containing 350 rooms, the hotel featured a bell tower, a roof garden, large circular parlors, and dome. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The hotel was razed in 1979 after a two year unsuccessful effort by Zion Park District to acquire restoration funds. Area citizens preserved the dome and adapted it to the present location which closely conforms to its original placement. The site embracing the restored dome was donated by the Zion State Bank and Trust Company to the Zion Park District to assure visitors and residents a glimpse of Zion’s earliest years.
1993 Dome Restoration
In recognition of Raymond and Irene Zukley, who through their tireless efforts were responsible for the original preservation of this historic dome and instrumental in its restoration, and advantage bank who, during the restoration project, so generously offered their
this page online
Rededicated this 2nd day of December, 1993
Erected 1993 by Raymond and Irene Zukley, Other Concerned Citizens, Zion State Bank and Trust Company, and the Zion Park District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1993.
Location. 42° 26.88′ N, 87° 49.519′ W. Marker is in Zion, Illinois, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of Sheridan Road (Illinois Route 137) and 26th Street, on the right when traveling north on Sheridan Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2613 Sheridan Rd, Zion IL 60099, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
2. Zion Hotel Image on Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Shiloh House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joseph T. Bowen Country Club (approx. 4.3 miles away); Otto Graham (approx. 5.9 miles away); Phil Austin (approx. 5.9 miles away); Ray Bradbury (approx. 5.9 miles away); Dr. Eugene P. King (approx. 5.9 miles away); Jack Benny (approx. 5.9 miles away); Thirty-Second Division Memorial Highway (approx. 6 miles away in Wisconsin).
Also see . . .
1. William Schwager's 1971 Article on the Zion Hotel. (Submitted on November 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Zion Hotel Dome. (Submitted on November 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Additional commentary.
1. Additional Information
In 1993, the dome restoration was rededicated in recognition of Raymond and Irene Zukley, who played a crucial role in its preservation and restoration.
John Duffey, a long-time resident of Mankato, passed away at his home in Zion City near Chicago in 1910 due to Bright’s disease. His death was announced by
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
3. Zion Hotel Dome and Marker
— Submitted June 5, 2024.
Photographed by Unknown, circa Early1900s
4. Zion Hotel Postcard
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,672 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 2024, by Robbin Yount of Okc, Oklahoma. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
