Lemont in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Civil War Recruiting Depot
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 18, 2026
1. Civil War Recruiting Depot Marker
1861-1865
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 41° 40.393′ N, 87° 59.991′ W. Marker is in Lemont, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lemont Street south of Illinois Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is to the right of the front door to the Lemont Area Historical Society building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 Lemont Street, Lemont IL 60439, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Stone Church (here, next to this marker); Lemont Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War Two Honor Roll (about 400 feet away); Korean War Memorial (about 400 feet away); Lemont Tornado of 1976 (about 400 feet away); Lemont Civil War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Lemont Station (about 700 feet away); Lemont Village Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lemont.
More about this marker. A marker immediately above this one denotes the building's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Another marker in front of the church includes a longer history of the church.
Regarding Civil War Recruiting Depot. This old Methodist church building, which was completed around 1861 according to a nearby historical marker, served as a recruiting depot during the Civil War. An estimated 300 men from Lemont are believed to have participated in the Civil War. The church closed in 1970; the Lemont Area Historical Society later occupied the church and remains there
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 18, 2026
2. Lemont Area Historical Society building
The church closed in 1970 and later became home to the Lemont Area Historical Society.
Also see . . . History of the Old Stone Church. From the Lemont Area Historical Society.
Excerpt: "The Church was a center for community activities. It was used as a recruiting depot during the Civil War. It was also the site for reform activities, most notably by the Rev. J. Franklin Clancy, a Methodist minister who, during the wild and wooly days when the Sanitary and ship Canal was being built through Lemont (1892 - 1901), fought against liquor consumption and its ancillary evils of gambling, prostitution and political corruption."(Submitted on March 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
