Belleville in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Belleville's 3 Drum and Bugle Corps

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 9, 2024

1. Belleville's 3 Drum and Bugle Corps Marker

Inscription. Belleville was home to three junior drum and bugle corps from 1937 to 1990: the Bellettes, the Black Knights and the Gabrielettes. Youth between the ages of 13 and 21 paraded the streets and competed demonstrating precision drill.

They performed musical showcases exciting crowds with patriotic and popular music of the time. These corps represented Belleville with great pride winning many local, state, and national titles. This memorial is dedicated to the members of these corps who traveled across the nation devoting countless hours of rehearsal and competition, and to their parents, staff and supporters for their dedication to these corps.

Erected 2022.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 38° 30.832′ N, 89° 59.031′ W. Marker is in Belleville, Illinois, in St. Clair County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and Illinois Street (Illinois Route 159), on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 Public Square, Belleville IL 62220, 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 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: Belleville Public Square (within shouting distance of this marker); George Bunsen

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Theodor Erasmus Hilgard (within shouting distance of this marker); Les Mueller (within shouting distance of this marker); Lyman Trumbull (within shouting distance of this marker); Gustavus P. Koerner / Sophia Engelmann Koerner (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward A. Daley (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninian Edwards (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belleville.

More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on August 27, 2022. The marker was the brainchild of the Black Knights Alumni Association, which sought approval from the City of Belleville into putting a memorial on the public square. Many alumni from the three groups were present at the ceremony, and Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory and O'Fallon (IL) Mayor Herb Roach conducted the event.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 9, 2024

2. Belleville's 3 Drum and Bugle Corps Marker

Marker also has the logos of the three drum and bugle corps

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 9, 2024

3. Belleville's 3 Drum and Bugle Corps Marker

Marker is at the northeast corner of Belleville's public square

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 9, 2024

4. Belleville's 3 Drum and Bugle Corps Marker

close-up of the logos

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 2, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.