This Adams Road Patrol #4 is an antique, pull-type road grader manufactured by J. D. Adams & Company, often for leveling dirt roads. Primary streets in Monroe County were paved in the 1920's, but most roads were still dirt. In 1885 Joseph D. Adams . . . — — Map (db m299895) HM
Admiral Memorial Circle commemorates the outstanding military achievement of Admiral Carlisle A. H. Trost. Admiral Treat attended Columbia Elementary School, Dupo High School and Washington University - St. Louis. Columbia was his home until he . . . — — Map (db m291754) HM WM
Admiral Memorial Circle commemorates the outstanding military achievement of Admiral John P. Weinel. Admiral Weinel was born in Columbia in 1916 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1939. His military career included command of . . . — — Map (db m291756) HM WM
Admiral Memorial Circle is a gift to the people of the Community of Columbia from the Sophia and Elmer, Oerter, Charitable Foundation founded by Sophia B Oerter (1908-1992), widow of Elmer F. "Otis" Oerter (1902-1985) for the purpose of honoring . . . — — Map (db m291760) HM WM
Mauricio Alvarez, Sculptor
This place of rest is dedicated to the veterans of this community, as well as the rest of America, well-trained and fierce warriors, but also gentle and kind liberators and protectors of children, women and men, and . . . — — Map (db m143461) WM
On June 12, 1951, several hundred people gathered at the dedication by Mayor A. C. Metter of a round, bronze plaque to designate the center of Columbia's City Limits and new street and house numbering system. The plaque was placed on the sidewalk . . . — — Map (db m182374) HM
The vertical bricks of the cross are from the exterior of the bell tower of the church on Main Street, and the brick on the right is from the interior of the bell tower.
The brick on the left is from St. Joseph Church in Ridgway, Ill., . . . — — Map (db m264928) HM
Originally one-story, this home was built in 1866 from brick made in Columbia. The Breidecker family, who immigrated from Germany and were early settlers here, owned the home and added a second story and front porch in 1910. The old St. Louis Hotel . . . — — Map (db m181502) HM
Original town of Columbia, Ill. laid out on historic Kaskaskia Trail was founded by Capt. George Rogers Clark's men year 1820.
Columbia municipal incorporations created under laws of State of Illinois:
Town - February 19, 1859 . . . — — Map (db m173484) HM
This is the site of the third
and final train depot in
Columbia. It was used for
passengers and freight until
passenger train service ended on October 14, 1958. This is when the
last north and south runs of the Gulf Coast
Rebel rolled through . . . — — Map (db m264950) HM
The building at 121 South Main was the first home of the Columbia Star Printing Company in time, it served as a location for three confectioneries before Steve Albert opened a floral shop on the first floor. The building was built in1878. The corner . . . — — Map (db m182270) HM
Whistle posts were placed about a quarter mile from a grade crossing. Their purpose was to alert the engineer of an upcoming road crossing. Upon seeing a whistle post the engineer would begin blowing the train's whistle to warn oncoming vehicles . . . — — Map (db m290663) HM
These sturdy cast iron signs were placed at each location along the railroad tracks where they crossed a city limit line. The sign you see is a reproduction of the original sign that was fabricated thanks to the generosity of the Oerter Foundation. . . . — — Map (db m274507) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m290665) HM
The Eichmuller-Rau building was built in the 1800s by John Eichmueller and was used as a tavern and feed store. The Living quarters was upstairs. The property was later acquired by Jacob Rau when he married one of the Eichmueller daughters. An . . . — — Map (db m171262) HM
Built in early 1900, this was the first location of the First National Bank in Columbia. It still has security bars on the windows and houses the original brick bank vault. Main Street and Legion Avenue was long recognized as the center of town and . . . — — Map (db m184617) HM
Fort Piggott
Revolutionary War Captain James Piggot (1735-1799) was a native of Connecticut who later moved to Pennsylvania and commanded a company of Pennsylvania troops in the battle of Brandywine and Saratoga, among others. After an . . . — — Map (db m244293) HM WM
This is an example of a 4-bent pile trestle. Vertical supports called pilings are driven into the ground to serve as a firm base. Each set of pilings (this trestle has 4 sets) is called a bent. The top photo is a northbound train carrying coal from . . . — — Map (db m274611) HM
At this site stood the Franklin Inn, later called the "Buck Tavern" because its sign was adorned with deer horns. Built in 1828 as a stagecoach stop, it was famous for its hospitality. The stagecoach would change horses here, and the passengers . . . — — Map (db m173522) HM
This engraved stone was presented to Sister City of Columbia, Il. By our Sister City Gedern, Germany in honor of the 25th anniversary of our partnership and friendship. The pedestal was donated by Luhr Bros, Inc. Dedicated in 2021 — — Map (db m173485) HM
Note the construction of this German style cottage. The small eyebrow windows were used to provide light and fresh air to the second floor occupants. Also important to note is that the house was built directly on the sidewalk. Why? Because German . . . — — Map (db m171264) HM
This greek revival home was built in 1857 for brothers John and Philip Peter Gundlach who ran the Monroe Brewery. John served as Columbia's third mayor. The house is a 12 story brick building; its corbeled brick frieze is representative . . . — — Map (db m184395) HM
This home was built in 1869 by Christian Reuter, and sold for $1,800 in 1871 to John Gundlach, owner of the Monroe Brewery. John's daughter, Anna Gundlach Wagner, lived here following his death until 1922, then the home changed hands many times . . . — — Map (db m184378) HM
Shoemaker School became a part of the Columbia School District in 1950. Since the school's directors had already contracted Marian Maag to teach for the 1950-51 term prior to this consolidation, the old school was kept open for one final year. In . . . — — Map (db m144933) HM
Historic Shoemaker School
In 1851, a leg school building was built by Hammond Shoemaker on his form south of Columbia for his children and the families of his neighbors. Shoemaker was the only doctor along the Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail, the . . . — — Map (db m204821) HM
Columbia Post No. 581, American Legion was organized on March 23, 1920. The organization work was conducted by Joseph McGlynn of East St. Louis, district organizer. The first meeting, held in the Turner Hall, was a decided success with . . . — — Map (db m304823) HM
Immaculate Conception Church was built in 1866 on land purchased for $600 from Henry Schumacher in 1863. The church was dedicated December 12, 1867by Bishop Juncker. The building was remodeled in 1904, and the improvement included the installation . . . — — Map (db m172805) HM
Columbia's Main Street began as the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail, a path created by Indians as long as 11,000 B.C. when the traveled from Old Kaskaskia [Kaskaskia Island] to Cahokia. The Trail played an integral part in French colonization, and remained . . . — — Map (db m171259) HM
This house was built in the 1870s by Mr. Fred Koch, a carpenter and builder, for his family. The two-story brick house remained in the family until the 1940s. Notice the German street names on the front corner of the house. The house was purchased . . . — — Map (db m184379) HM
Whistle posts were placed about a quarter
mile before a grade crossing. Their purpose
was to alert the engineer of an upcoming
road crossing. Upon seeing a whistle post,
the engineer would begin blowing the train's
whistle to warn oncoming . . . — — Map (db m269626) HM
It was at this point a siding, orspur, split off the mainline to serve a grain mill that once stood near the center of Columbia. The siding ran east-west behind the current location of the Metter Park tennis courts. Along the way to the mill, the . . . — — Map (db m273371) HM
Originally built for Columbia Masonic Lodge No. 474, this 1882 building had three stories. The Masons used the two upper floors for meetings, and the first floor
as a refreshment parlor until the 1930s and 40s. It then housed the Columbia Grill . . . — — Map (db m184618) HM
1775 1918
Memorial
in honor of
our sons and daughters
who served their nation
in freedom's cause and in memory
of who gave their those of our number
who gave their last full measure
of devotion in
the six great wars . . . — — Map (db m143598) WM
The railroad placed mileposts each mile along the right-of-way from its beginning in Mobile, Alabama to the end of the line in East St. Louis, IL As you look at this sign, you are 630 miles north of Mobile. There are four mileposts within the . . . — — Map (db m286853) HM
The railroad placed mileposts each mile along the right-of-way from its starting point in Mobile, Alabama to the end of the line in East St. Louis, Illinois. As you look at this sign, you are 632 miles from Mobile. There are four mileposts along . . . — — Map (db m267843) HM
In 1850, John Dahmer, a German immigrant, constructed this vernacular German cottage. Peter Miller bought the home in 1858 annd ran a blacksmith shop next door that provided shoes for horses and he repaired farm equipment in a shed between the house . . . — — Map (db m291321) HM
MP 0, also known as Millstadt Junction, is the starting point of the 8-mile branch line to Millstadt II. This branch line, completed in 1883, by the St. Louis & Cairo RR both provided passenger and freight service to Millstadt wtih stops at Krause . . . — — Map (db m267837) HM
John Gundlach built this building in 1856. He and
several relatives were partners in the business until the Reconstruction era. In 1883 the brewery was operated by Klausmann Brewery Co. of South St. Louis. Its annual capacity was 6,000 barrels of . . . — — Map (db m185013) HM
The old Engine House, City Jail and Meeting Hall were located at the corner of South Rapp and Cherry, the present site of Columbia's City Hall. It was built in 1875 at a cost of $1,075. It housed prisoners in what was commonly called, "The . . . — — Map (db m182261) HM
Revolutionary War
War of 1812 Civil War WW I WW II
Laid out in the late 1700s on acreage donated by the Ogles,its elevated grounds afford a view of lands settled by the pioneersthe Piggotts, Ogles, Biggs, Wilson and others. It was named . . . — — Map (db m143369) HM WM
Palmier Cemetery was established in 1783, laid out on ground donated by Benjamin and Joseph Ogle-part of the Ogle Estate on Palmier
Hill, for what would become the oldest cemetery in the Columbia precinct. Flooding in the area caused the cemetery . . . — — Map (db m203961) HM WM
This large frame building was the location of the Emil Pfeffer Mercantile Store. An open porch extended across the entire front of the building and wrapped around the north side. The Weilbacher family acquired this building in the 1920s and called . . . — — Map (db m172804) HM
Revolutionary War Captain James Piggot commanded a military company of Pennsylvania Regulators in the battle of Brandywine against British General Cornwallis. After giving up his military commission, Piggot and his family traveled down the Ohio . . . — — Map (db m298904) HM
This building was built in the late 1800s and purchased in 1915 by the late George Roessler Sr. It was originally the Millstadt Brewery Company Saloon, managed by Mr. Roessler, and was also used as an ice house and trucking business. The family . . . — — Map (db m182298) HM
The ground for this home was purchased in 1851 by James Nolan who platted the original Town of Columbia in 1820. The home was built shortly thereafter for the Conrad-Rohm family. Gustav Rohm married Katie Schneider and they had eight children. . . . — — Map (db m171261) HM
This building was the location of the John J. Schauffert Drug Store from 1896 until 1899 when Mr. Herman Rose bought the business and renamed it Rose's Drug Store. The store boasted Columbia's first soda fountain. Althoughthe drug store had changed . . . — — Map (db m184404) HM
Sand Bank School ha a history dating to 1800, The first log school was built only a few feet east of the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail. The log one - room school on the sand hill served the settlers living near Captain James Piggot's Fort Great Run . . . — — Map (db m246405) HM
This home was built in 1880 and was the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Theo Schaefer. Mr. Schaefer operated as a blacksmith in the building on the corner. He was the town trustee from 1901-1903. the home was designated a local landmark in 2013 by members . . . — — Map (db m173524) HM
The beer cave was used to store beer that was brewed at Schmidt Brewery (521 S. Main Street) in the early 1800s. The barrels of beer were later delivered to local saloons. The brewery closed in the 1860s, but the cave was used in later year store . . . — — Map (db m170533) HM
This two story brick home was built in 1818 by Philip and Peter Schmidt. The building functioned partly as a brewery (Schmidt Brewery) with offices and a sales department. The second floor provided living quarters for the families. An arched, stone . . . — — Map (db m206579) HM
This house, originally belonging to the Charles Schneider family, was built in approximately 1864. Mr. Schneider was one of Columbia's early citizens who operated a livery stable and undertaking parlor at this location. Note the German architecture . . . — — Map (db m182301) HM
Whistle posts were placed about a quarter mile from a grade crossing. Their purpose was to alert the engineer of an upcoming road crossing. Upon seeing a whistle post the engineer would begin blowing the train's whistle to warn oncoming vehicles of . . . — — Map (db m290674) HM
Whistle posts were placed about a quarter mile from a grade crossing. Their purpose was to alert the engineer of an upcoming road crossing. Upon seeing a whistle post, the engineer would begin blowing the train's whistle to warn oncoming vehicles of . . . — — Map (db m286855) HM
The land you are on now is just east of an original section of the Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail. In 2014, the Illinois General Assembly proclaimed this ancient transportation route an Illinois Historic and Scenic Route. The land between today's Palmer . . . — — Map (db m299387) HM
The Miller Fiege house was built was built in 1850 by Johannes Dahmer. It is a vernacular German cottage with Italianate influences; a brick house on a limestone foundation, one and a half stories in height; with segmental - arched brick lintels . . . — — Map (db m291420) HM
The "Spirt of the American Doughboy" a popular war memorial created by sculptor E. M. Vaquestes
was erected in Columbia in 1924 and stands today in American Legion Park. This American World War soldier can be found in 31 states. Standing seven . . . — — Map (db m304767) HM
This two story building on the corner of Main and Locust was the location of Louis Tunze Pool, Billiards and Saloon and doubled as Gus Tunze's residence. Mr. Gus Tunze was a town trustee from 19031904. It was built by the Tunze brothers in the . . . — — Map (db m199233) HM
The Vogt Store building was built in 1893 by William Vogt. It was one of Columbia's first department stores where one could buy anything from a needle to a
threshing machine. It consisted of a grocery, meat market, dry goods, hardware and farm . . . — — Map (db m184620) HM
Leo A. Weilbacher Sr. began his business career with the Columbia Mercantile Co. at another location on Main Street in 1909. To this business, an ice cream parlor was added in 1914 and later, groceries, dry goods, hardware, paints and household . . . — — Map (db m184401) HM
In the early 1800s, August F. Weinel established a lumber yard and livery stable across the street from where you are standing. Years later, their son, Ernst
A. Weinel, started the Weinel Hardware store in this building. Built in the mid-1850s, the . . . — — Map (db m184394) HM
William Whiteside built Whiteside station as a fort to protect his family, pioneers and travelers from Indian raids, along the Kaskaskia-Cahokia trail.
Whiteside was a patriot of North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War and is . . . — — Map (db m140339) HM
Stephen W. Miles was born in New York and came to this area in 1819. He was a successful businessman and acquired large tracts of land. He would stand on the bluff and say, "For miles and miles, it all belongs to Miles." He would eventually . . . — — Map (db m233012) HM WM
Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve has been formally dedicated as a sanctuary for native plants and animals. It is maintained in its natural condition so that present and future generations can see the Illinois landscape as it appeared in the . . . — — Map (db m241611) HM
[left plaque:]
Served under the command of Col. George Rogers Clark in the Virginia line, the capture of Kaskaskia & the capture of Fort Vincennes.
[right plaque:]
In memory of
Revolutionary War Soldier
Robert Kidd . . . — — Map (db m142149) HM
The town of Kidd was named after Robert Kidd, who had been a soldier
serving under Colonel George Rogers Clark. Kidd was in the original group of
settlers who came to what is now Monroe County in 1782 with the intention of
permanently settling . . . — — Map (db m163635) HM
Robert and Mary McGowan Kidd. Robert Kidd served in Revolutionary War 1774-1778. He settled in this area 1781 with Mary McGowan. Robert Kidd was born 1749 and died 1836. He was buried a half mile south of this Monument. Son John Kidd born . . . — — Map (db m174409) HM WM
The Village of Fults, formerly known as Brownsburg, had its beginnings in the
early 1900's with the construction of the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern
Railroad line through the Monroe County Bottoms. In
1902, the Nanson Commission Co. . . . — — Map (db m198125) HM
The Mississippi River was a major superhighway throughout history, Native Americans traveled extensively on the waterway, and early settlers settled the Midwest by entering the port of New Orleans and traveling north on the river. During the . . . — — Map (db m226556) HM
Samuel McRoberts, one of their ten children, was born her Feb. 8, 1799. He was elected clerk of the Monroe County court at the age of 20. In 1824 he was elected circuit judge by the state legislature. On Dec. 16, 1840, he was the first nativeborn . . . — — Map (db m204645) HM
Samuel McRoberts, one of their ten children, was born her Feb. 8, 1799. He was elected clerk of the Monroe County court at the age of 20. In 1824 he was elected circuit judge by the state legislature. On Dec. 16, 1840, he was the first nativeborn . . . — — Map (db m204646) HM
Samuel McRoberts, one of their ten children, was born her Feb. 8, 1799. He was elected clerk of the Monroe County court at the age of 20. In 1824 he was elected circuit judge by the state legislature. On Dec. 16, 1840, he was the first nativeborn . . . — — Map (db m204647) HM
Maeystown, where three streams descend down the bluff, was founded by Jacob Maeys in 1852. The original settlers were German members of the forty-eighter movement. The village is unique in manner with structures integrated into the landscape. The . . . — — Map (db m140382) HM
The oldest known log structure in Illinois on it's original site in continuous use for religious purposes since 1859. First worship service of St. John's congregation held here 1859-67. — — Map (db m143416) HM
The Village of Maeystown, Ill. founded in 1852 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 23,1978 by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m143464) HM
The Village of Maeystown, originally known as Maeysville was founded in 1852 by Jacob Maeys, a German immigrant from Bavaria. Maeys purchased 100 acres and had the land surveyed and subdivided into streets and lots with the intention of attracting . . . — — Map (db m144864) HM
The Pioneer Mill was a center of early commerce. Often its water wheel ran a saw mill as well as a grist mill. Mills operated at this site for over 100 years. Prior to the War of 1812, much flour was shipped to St.Louis and New Orleans, in the late . . . — — Map (db m140360) HM
William H. Bissell 1811-1860. The eleventh governor of Illinois lived in this vicinity before he was thirty, serving as pioneer physician, teacher, and lawyer. He was elected as a democrat to the state legislature, becoming speaker of the house, . . . — — Map (db m144918) HM
Throughout history, conservation of the land surrounding what is now called Foglepole Cave has been made possible by private property holders. These landowners were cautious, only allowing trips in to the caves for scientific and research-related . . . — — Map (db m144932) HM
This village is located in Renault Precinct in the southern part of Monroe County, where G Road, Kaskaskia Road and South Fork Road meet. Renault was originally known as Glasgow City, named for James Glangon, who laid out the community in 1860. . . . — — Map (db m232928) HM
Early Community History
St. Joe is located in what was originally the New Design Precinct. The name New Design originated with James Lemen, Sr., who observed that he had a "new design to make a settlement south of Bellefontaine (Waterloo). . . . — — Map (db m198039) HM
The Storment family purchased this land in the 1950s. David Storment inherited the property when his father passed away in 1980. David lived in a house trailer just north of the current preserve for much of his adult life. According to his son, . . . — — Map (db m210671) HM
This small community is located in the southern part of New Design Precinct. It was settled in the late 1830's by immigrants from Tipperary, Ireland. The press of economic and political circumstances caused many Irish to immigrate to Monroe . . . — — Map (db m283180) HM
Residents of the Valmeyer area were separated from much of what was familiar to them following the flood of 1993, architectural items and structural members of the former Valmeyer School complex have been brough together in this memorial. It is . . . — — Map (db m291805) HM
Shadrach Bond Sr., a soldier of the Revolution War and the army of George Rogers Clark settled about one-third mile east of this marker in 1782.
His nephew, Shadrach Bond the first Governor of the State of Illinois (1818-1892) moved here . . . — — Map (db m199226) HM
The magnificent view and love of history bring many people to this cemetery.
Eagle Cliff - Miles Cemetery consists of 4 1/2 acres. The cemetery is locally known as Miles Cemetery. Stephen W. Miles designed and built the 56-vault family . . . — — Map (db m291492) HM
Eagle Cliff Graveyard was established as a public graveyard on land donated by Truman Miles.
The first person to be buried in Eagle Cliff Graveyard was Rachel Bond, wife of Judge Shardrach Bond, Sr. on March 17, 1806.
The vault was . . . — — Map (db m199231) HM
The earliest structures in the area of Fountain were two brick homes built by George Atcheson. Daniel Shook came to the area from Pennsylvania and operated a blacksmith shop there and farmed. When the railroad came through in the early 1900's, . . . — — Map (db m204534) HM
Laurie began her career with the Village of Valmeyer when she won election to the office of Village Trustee in April, 1989. Following the Flood of 1993, she moved into the and position of Village Clerk and Collector upon the retirement of Mary . . . — — Map (db m288261) HM
This American Legion Home
is dedicated to
the memory of
Louis E. Miller
Founder and First Commander of
American Legion Post No. 901
Valmeyer, Illinois
Donated by
his daughter Twlya . . . — — Map (db m148201) HM
The M102 Howitzer fires a 33 pound projectile of semifixed ammunition and at charge 7 will fire 11,500 meters or 7 miles. A roller tire attached to the trail assembly of M102 permits the weapon to be rotated 6,400 mils around a firing platform, . . . — — Map (db m148203) WM
Salt Lick Point marks the place where the manufacture of salt was carried on in early time. The Indians probably used this point to obtain their salt. This saline trade was one of the earliest established in the West. Gen. John Edgar, of . . . — — Map (db m241422) HM
Salt Lick Point marks the place where the manufacture of salt was carried on in early time. The Indians probably used this point to obtain their salt. This saline trade was one of the earliest established in the West. Gen. John Edgar, of . . . — — Map (db m280522) HM
In 1865, St. Francis of Assisi parish was established in Harrisonville. A church was constructed
in 1866, and on June 4, 1867, the wooden church was blessed in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
A bell was cast in St. Louis in 1877 and . . . — — Map (db m305079) HM
Eight years ago, flood waters of the Mississippi River washed away most of Valmeyer. It did leave one shinning jewel behind Borsch Park, and all the memories that it carries with it. This park has provided many pleasant hours of use since its . . . — — Map (db m211944) HM
Monroe City School was a rural Country School District located on KK Road west of Monroe City. This building was constructed in 1918 on land purchased from Gustav Hirsch. An increase of students later required adding a second building and another . . . — — Map (db m182052) HM
The rich soil and abundant food sources of the American Bottom made this area ripe for development, Native Americans living here could harvest crops, fish and wildlife from the floodplain, while gathering nuts and berries from the neighboring . . . — — Map (db m227109) HM
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