Thebes in Alexander County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Thebes Courthouse
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, April 26, 2008
1. Thebes Courthouse Marker
The courthouse, completed in 1848, was the county seat of Alexander County until 1864 when the county seat was moved to Cairo.
The building was constructed with local sandstone, hewn timbers, hand sawed boards, plaster, and with a split shingle roof.
Dred Scott was imprisoned here in the dungeons below. He was a fugitive slave for whom the judge's decision was made establishing a Negro's right to his own person.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 37° 13.178′ N, 89° 27.583′ W. Marker is in Thebes, Illinois, in Alexander County. It is on Oak Street west of 5th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 Oak St, Thebes IL 62990, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Original Pier Block (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Old Thebes Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Steamboats on the Mississippi River (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lewis and Clark in Illinois (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Illinois (approx. 6 miles away); The 20th Illinois Regiment (approx. 6.1 miles away in Missouri); Saving Fort D (approx. 6.1 miles away in Missouri). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thebes.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, April 26, 2008
2. Thebes Courthouse
The Mississippi River is in the background.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, April 26, 2008
3. Thebes Courthouse & Marker
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, April 26, 2008
4. Thebes Courthouse
The front of the courthouse facing the Mississippi River
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
