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

Corporation Line Sign

Railroad Heritage Trail

— Columbia, Illinois —

Corporation Line Sign Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 11, 2025

1. Corporation Line Sign Marker

Inscription. These sturdy cast iron signs were placed at each location along the railroad tracks where they crossed a city limit or county line. The sign you see is a reproduction of the original sign that was fabricated thanks to the generosity of the Oerter Foundation. The original sign alerted a northbound train crew that they were entering Columbia. This location was the southernmost boundary of Columbia around 1900. The photo is of this same spot taken in the early 1900's. The overhead bridge in the photo carried the street car that once served residents traveling between E. St. Louis and Waterloo through the center of Columbia's Main Street.

Erected by Columbia, Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Political Subdivisions • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 38° 26.309′ N, 90° 11.42′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is on Maple Hill Lane 0.1 miles north of Mary Hill Place, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands behind Dollar General. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

postal address: 816 S Main St, Columbia IL 62236, 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 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: South Meter Whistle Stop (here, next to this marker); Columbia/Waterloo Road Whistle Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Schmidt Beer Cave (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail (about 800 feet away); Rohm House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eichmuller-Rau Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); German Style Cottage (approx. ¼ mile away); Whiteside Station (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 11, 2025

2. Corporation Line Sign Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 39 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.