Alto Pass in Union County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"The Cross in the New Millennium"

Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 25, 2025

1. "The Cross in the New Millennium" Marker

Inscription.
The new millennium brought several changes to the Bald Knob Cross of Peace. During the early 2000s, the Cross was faced with (and greatly affected by) both external and internal deterioration caused by lack of interest in the organization. Disputes between the then current board members arose, which ultimately led to legal litigation in 2006. As a part of the litigation process, the Court issued a mandatory "lock down" on all the Bald Knob Cross of Peace's properties until proceedings were complete.

This meant that no maintenance or upkeep work could be performed to protect and preserve the Cross. However, during this entire litigation process, a separate, charitable organization named "Friends of the Cross" was founded. The members of this organization worked together to raise funds that would go towards the restoration of the Cross once a decision was made by the court.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Peace • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 2006.

Location. 37° 33.132′ N, 89° 20.799′ W. Marker is in Alto Pass, Illinois, in Union County. It is on Bald Knob Road 5 miles south of Chestnut Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3735 Bald Knob Rd, Alto Pass IL 62905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt

and in Shawnee Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Pig Lady and the Cross" (here, next to this marker); "The Beginning of the Cross" (here, next to this marker); "Funding the Cross" (here, next to this marker); "The Symbol" (here, next to this marker); "Building the Cross" (here, next to this marker); In Memory of Wayland R. Presley (within shouting distance of this marker); Rendleman Orchards Historic District (approx. 3.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto Pass.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 25, 2025

2. "The Cross in the New Millennium" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.