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

The Wayside Hawthorn

Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 22, 2025

1. The Wayside Hawthorn Marker

Inscription. This tree was within inches of being the Illinois state champion red hawthorn (Crataegus Mollis) when a violent storm split its trunk in the Spring of 2019.

According to Mr. Whitehurst, as recorded by Guy Sternberg of the nearby Starhill Forest Arboretum, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted this tree in 1934. Then 10 - years old, Mr. Whitehurst recall that it was a seedling transplanted from a nearby pasture.

The CCC project was part of Illinois' first highway beautification program, which included three routes to Lincoln's new Salem.

Menard County Trails & Greenway adopted Wayside Park in 2004. To preserve the Wayside hawthorn, volunteers removed encroaching brush, pruned limbs, installed structural cabling, eliminated Japanese beetles, and spread mulch.

Despite the storm damage, the tree survived the summer of 2019 encouraging volunteers to install support braces, prune limbs and limit access to the tree with hope that visitors will appreciate the story of the Wayside Hawthorn for many years to come.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location.

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39° 56.669′ N, 89° 50.75′ W. Marker is in Talula, Illinois, in Menard County. It is at the intersection of Illinois Route 123 and Route 97, on the right when traveling east on Illinois Route 123. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tallula IL 62688, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois,

specifically in the Illinois River Valley,

and in Greater Springfield.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: New Salem (within shouting distance of this marker); Sangamon River (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Prairie Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Mentor Graham (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The New Salem Lincoln League (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Survey of Petersburg (approx. 4½ miles away); The Frackelton State Bank (approx. 4.6 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lincoln’s Store Partner (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 22, 2025

2. The Wayside Hawthorn Marker

Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 22, 2025

3. The Wayside Hawthorn Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.