Metropolis in Massac County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elijah P. Curtis Home
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 30, 2019
1. Elijah P. Curtis Home Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 37° 9.073′ N, 88° 44.036′ W. Marker is in Metropolis, Illinois, in Massac County. It is at the intersection of Market Street and West 4th Street, on the right when traveling south on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Market St, Metropolis IL 62960, 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 Ohio River Valley, 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 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: Southern Magnolia (a few steps from this marker); Dedicated to the Men and Women of Massac County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Superman Statue Facts (about 500 feet away); Super Heroes (about 500 feet away); Honoring All Our Defenders of Freedom (about 600 feet away); The Cowling (about 600 feet away); Oscar Micheaux: 18841951 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Metropolis.
More about this marker. This is now a house museum and headquarters of the Massac County Historical Society.
this page online
Regarding Elijah P. Curtis Home. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
It was built in 1870 for Major Curtis by Joseph Alexander Fardell, a prominent local craftsman noted for perfection in his work.
Elijah Curtis (1834-1901) came to Massac County as a boy with his father, a land surveyor and teacher. Elijah Curtis graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky Law School in 1860 and started a law practice in Massac County a few short weeks prior to the Civil War. Along with John A. Carmichael and William T. Day, Elijah Curtis recruited and organized Co. K, 29th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers, the first in Massac County. He enlisted in l86l as First Lieutenant and by l863 was promoted to Major. At the end of the Civil War, Curtis resumed his law practice in Metropolis and built the house in 1870.
Although primarily significant for its architecture, the house is secondarily significant for local history in that no one man is more clearly identified with the early history of Massac County than Major Curtis.
Also see . . . Elijah P. Curtis House (PDF). National Register nomination for the property, which was listed in 1978. (Prepared by Mary J. Leonard, Massac County Historical Society; via National Archives)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2024
2. Elijah P. Curtis Home and Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 333 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
