Granite City in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Make-It Toy Monument
Only in Granite City - "Where even our toys come with a tall tale."
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 11, 2025
1. Make-It Toy Monument Marker
Standing a towering 16 feet tall, this vibrant sculpture pays tribute to a lesser-known but beloved piece or Granite City history.
Long before plastic playsets filled store shelves, Make-It Toys sparked creativity in children across the country. Manufactured right here in Granite City, these wooden construction toys were often said to be the prototype for the world's famous Tinker Toys. With their simple pegs and colorful connectors, Make-It Toys encouraged kids to dream big, build tall, and let their imaginations run wild.
Though time and trends may have faded them from the shelves, their spirit lives on in this monumental tribute. Built to inspire nostalgia and honor local innovations, the Make-It Toy Monument is more than a roadside attraction - it's a celebration of Granite City's legacy of creativity, industry, and play.
Come snap a photo and rediscover a toy that helped build a generation of makers and dreamers.
Erected 2025.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 38° 42.031′ N, 90° 9.073′ W. Marker is in Granite City, Illinois, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of 19th Street and Delmar
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Regionally, this marker and monument 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 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: The Giant Graniteware Coffee Pot (here, next to this marker); The Magic of Roadside Attractions (here, next to this marker); Hudson Jewelers (a few steps from this marker); The Washington Theatre (a few steps from this marker); Reese Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Ruben Mendoza (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Victory Mothers (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Honor of Our Heroes (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Granite City.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 11, 2025
2. Make-It Toy Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
