Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza

In honor of all past and present firefighters

The Firefighters Memorial Plaza Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. The Firefighters Memorial Plaza Marker

Inscription. The Firefighters Memorial Plaza stands as a monument to those firefighters who have given their lives protecting the residents of Illinois. We dedicate this plaza and bronze statue to those who have served their communities and to those who are serving today. The sacrifices made by these firefighters and their families have not been lost.

The Annual Firefighters Memorial service has been held on this site since 1994 and will continue to honor those firefighters who have served before us and who are serving today.

Firefighter's Prayer When I am called to duty, God wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age. Help me to embrace a little child before it's too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my neighbor and protect his property. And if according to your will I have to lose my life, bless with your protecting hand my loving family from strife.
- A. W. "Smokey" Linn.

Erected 2022.

Topics.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Heroes. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.

Location. 42° 1.533′ N, 88° 16.168′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is at the intersection of St. Charles Street and Arlington Avenue on St. Charles Street. The plaza is in front of the Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 533 St Charles Street, Elgin IL 60120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: George Van De Voorde (a few steps from this marker); Fire Barn No. 5 (a few steps from this marker); Peter VanNostrand (within shouting distance of this marker); Observatory/Planetarium (approx.

Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza, plaque at front image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza, plaque at front

0.4 miles away); Elgin National Watch Co. Observatory (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Elgin National Watch Company (approx. half a mile away); The Watch Factory District (approx. half a mile away); Elgin Railroad Watches (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

More about this marker. A statue of a firefighter stands atop the memorial. The sides of the base include the names of all firefighters who have died in the line of duty in Illinois.

Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

3. Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza

Firefighter statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

4. Firefighter statue

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

5. Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza

Donor plaques for firefighters memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

6. Donor plaques for firefighters memorial

In the far background is a marker about the donation of land for the small, triangular VanNostrand Park.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

7. Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza

Several plaques like this list the names of all Illinois firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The first names on this plaque died in 1857.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.