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

Spanish American War

April 21, 1898 August 13, 1898

— Battle of Santiago de Cuba —

Spanish American War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 23, 2025

1. Spanish American War Marker

Inscription. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of George Henry Ellis, a navy hero who was born in Peoria, Illinois on October 26, 1875. Chief Yeoman Ellis was serving on board the flagship USS Brooklyn during the blockade of the Spanish squadron docked within the bay of Santiago, Cuba. Early on the morning of July 3, 1898, the Spanish Navy began to break out of the blockade, making for the open sea. The American Naval ships began pursuit and a fierce battle between the two navy squadrons took place. Chief Yeoman Ellis reported to his battle station where he operated the stadimeter which determined the range of the Cruiser Brooklyn's enemy target. His station was out in the open and totally exposed to the enemy's large guns. Ellis faced the enemy ships with a watch in one hand and his stadimeter in the other as he recorded and yelled out the ranges between his ship and the fleeing enemy. He repeated his heroic deeds over and over as the battle raged. As the Brooklyn closed in on the fleeing Spanish Vizcava, and enemy shell struck Chief Yeoman Ellis in the face, decapitating him. Ellis was the only American sailor killed in that

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battle.

The body of George Ellis was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, on November 28, 1898 with full military honors. At the time of his death, George had an eleven month old son, George Harvey Ellis, who he had never seen. The United States Navy awarded Yeoman Ellis several medals and accommodations and further honored him by naming a battleship after him. The ship designated 154 was named the USS Ellis, later decommissioned in 1942.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Spanish-American. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1898.

Location. 40° 41.542′ N, 89° 35.368′ W. Marker is in Peoria, Illinois, in Peoria County. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and Northeast Adams Street. Marker is located at Courthouse Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 Main St, Peoria IL 61602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley.

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.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 23, 2025

2. Spanish American War Marker

Marker is in the back (behind the Soldiers and Sailors monument)

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: Peoria County World Wars I and II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Peoria County World Wars I & II Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell & Cornerstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Peace and Harvest (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peoria on The Riverfront / Peoria (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schwab - Powell Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterborn Services Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Military Services Memorial Plaza (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peoria.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.