Bloomington in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Soldiers' Monument

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

1. Old Soldiers' Monument Marker

Inscription. The original monument stood at the center of Bloomington's first public park, Franklin Square, across town. The 49-foot memorial bearing the inscriptions of the 700 Civil War dead bore the words “McLean County's Honored Sons, Fallen but Not Forgotten.” Dedicated on June 17, 1869, the monument stood for 45 years until 1914, when it had deteriorated beyond repair. Some remnants of the memorial became lawn ornaments, but the base remained intact and was moved to its current location in what is now Briarwood Subdivision.

Erected 2023 by McLean County Museum of History.

Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1869.

Location. 40° 29.663′ N, 88° 58.786′ W. Monument is in Bloomington, Illinois, in McLean County. It is at the intersection of Norbloom Avenue and Dawes Place, on the left when traveling south on Norbloom Avenue. Touch for map. Monument is at or near this postal address: 5 Norbloom Ave, Bloomington IL 61701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial monument is

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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 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 walking distance of this marker: Historic Camelback Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cedar Crest Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Van Leer's Broadview Mansion Bell (approx. 0.4 miles away); Highland Historic District (approx. half a mile away); Hedding College (approx. 0.7 miles away); Home of Joseph W. Fifer (approx. 0.7 miles away); Florence Fifer Bohrer (approx. 0.7 miles away); Home of Adlai E. Stevenson I (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.

Also see . . . Long-gone Franklin Park monument dedicated 150 years ago. On June 17, 1869—150 years ago this week—area residents packed Bloomington’s Franklin Park to dedicate a monument to the more than 700 McLean County men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the

Old Soldiers' Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

2. Old Soldiers' Monument

Civil War. Unfortunately, the inferior quality of the monument’s marble and limestone was no match for the Midwestern climate, and the steady deterioration led to its razing a short 45 years later— in 1914. (Bill Kemp, The Pantagraph, June 16, 2019; via McLean County Museum of History). (Submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.