Nearly 100 years before Brownstown businesses offered fuel, food, and lodging to motorists following US 40 across America, there was Ezra Griffith and Twin Pumps.
A New York native, Griffith followed the National Road to Fayette County, Ill., . . . — — Map (db m144228) HM
Dedicated in remembrance
of our veterans
Memorial Day 2001
by
their friends and families
Conceived by
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post #9770
Brownstown, Il.
Killed in Action
L.H. Foley · M. Forbis · R.O. Cortelloni · C. . . . — — Map (db m59628) WM
St. Elmo's history is rooted in the dust of a settlement named Howard's Point. Hamlets like Howard's Point relied on the National Road to sustain their businesses.
Some of these small settlements grew into cities. Others faded as their . . . — — Map (db m144229) HM
We dedicate this memorial
to the men and women
whose names are listed on
the tablets before you.
They left this community to
serve with honor and dignity
and to preserve freedom
around the world.
"Never in the course of history . . . — — Map (db m59624) HM
Born in Pennsylvania. First store keeper in Vandalia for owner, William Kinney. House of Representatives 1828-29. Registrar of Vandalia Land Office. State Bank Commissioner 1835. — — Map (db m42410) HM
Vandalia was the western terminus of the Cumberland or National Road which extended eighty feet wide for 591 miles from Cumberland, Maryland through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Illinois construction by the Federal Government began in 1811 and . . . — — Map (db m42345) HM
The store of Ebenezer Capps was located just north of this site at the northeast corner of Main and Fourth streets.
The location of Main street is not the same today as when Lincoln was here. Vandalia existed long before the coming of . . . — — Map (db m42486) HM
Born in Kentucky. Father of James W. Berry. Territorial Auditor. State Auditor of Public Accounts 1819-31. Co-Editor of "Illinois Intelligencer", Kaskaskia 1817-20. President of State Bank 1837. Black Hawk War soldier. Father-in-law of Gov. W. L. . . . — — Map (db m42383) HM
Dedicated to all veterans
of Fayette County who
served their country
in the Armed Services of
the United States of America
Dedicated May 30, 2002 — — Map (db m42538) HM
Born in Hanover. Leader of Colony from Hanover, Germany. Came to Vandalia in 1819 with Frederick Hollman, who remained to build houses. Bearing all expenses, Ernst returned with colonists December, 1820. Director of State Bank, 1821. Trustee of . . . — — Map (db m42380) HM
On December 1, 1834 Abraham Lincoln entered the State Capitol that stood on this site. This was his first term as a state representative and the first time he held elective office. The Abraham Lincoln that began his political career on that . . . — — Map (db m42510) HM
At the beginning of Lincoln's second term as a state representative, several southern legislatures were concerned that the Federal Government would abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. Most of the members of the Illinois Legislature . . . — — Map (db m42490) HM
The first capitol building owned by the State was erected on this site. It was a thirty by forty feet two-story frame structure. The Second and Third Illinois General Assemblies met here, the House on the first floor and the Senate on the second. . . . — — Map (db m42366) HM
In 1836 Colonel Abner Flack took over the large three-story frame building which stood here and operated it under the name Vandalia Inn. In 1853-1854 it was the headquarters for Chief Engineer Charles F. Jones, in charge of construction of the . . . — — Map (db m42347) HM
Born in Hanover. Member of Ernst Colony. Merchant. Paymaster in Blackhawk War 1832. Division Quarter Master in Illinois Militia - Colonel 1834. House of Representatives 1846-48. — — Map (db m42411) HM
Born in Hanover. Died Feb. 3, 1847. Member of Ernst Colony. Builder and operator of Vandalia Hotel. Merchant. Daughter, Olivia Whiteman, friend of the Abraham Lincoln family, unveiled Madonna of the Trail statue. — — Map (db m42384) HM
Half an acre of this Old State Burial Ground was laid off for state officials in 1835. Although exact location is unknown, it is thought to be in this area. In 1874 the monument and remains were moved to South Hill Cemetery. Four Representatives . . . — — Map (db m42421) HM
The Illinois General Assembly donated five lots in Vandalia to promote the construction of a church for the use of all denominations. The forty-five by sixty feet one-story frame structure erected in the summer of 1823 was used primarily by the . . . — — Map (db m42340) HM
John B. E. Canal
A representative from
Madison County in the
General Assembly of Illinois
Born at Baltimore
June 24, 1809
Died at Vandalia
December 31, 1830
Benjamin A. Clark
Representative of the
General Assembly . . . — — Map (db m42627) HM
In Lincolns first campaign speech on March 9, 1832, he expressed support for internal improvements.
“Time and experience have verified to a demonstration, the public utility of internal improvements. That the poorest and most . . . — — Map (db m42512) HM
Born in Kentucky. Circuit Clerk of Fayette County 1826-56. Adjutant General 1834-39. First talented artist of Illinois. Portrait painter of state officers and legislators. Commissioned by General Assembly to copy portraits of Washington and . . . — — Map (db m42381) HM
Dr. Morey was born in Erie Co. Penna. but moved to Illinois when a young man. He was nearly 50 yrs. old at his death and had been engaged in the practice of medicine for nearly thirty years.
He graduated from the Physio-Medical College of Ohio . . . — — Map (db m42700) HM
The delegation from Sangamon County for the 1836-1837 Session of the legislature quickly became known as the "Long Nine."
The seven representatives and two senators were all six feet or taller. Five were lawyers, three were farmers, and one . . . — — Map (db m42485) HM
On December 5, 1836 Abraham Lincoln attended the opening session of the Tenth Gereral Assembly in Vandalia. This session was held in a new building just recently completed by the citizens of Vandalia to serve as the State Capitol. It was . . . — — Map (db m42517) HM
On June 12, 1823, the Third General Assembly, meeting in the newly formed city of Vandalia, conveyed one and one-half acres of land to the city of Vandalia, with the proviso that the land be used as a burial ground. This is the location of that . . . — — Map (db m42428) HM
Abraham Lincoln traveled past this spot while he served as a state representative in Vandalia. This location marks the route of a road that ran from Vandalia to Springfield, Illinois. Traces of the roadway are still visible today. The roadway . . . — — Map (db m42527) HM
N·S·D·A·R Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days
The Cumberland Road.
Built by
the Federal Government.
Was authorized by Congress
and approved by
Thomas Jefferson in 1806.
Vandalia marks the . . . — — Map (db m42341) HM
Wife, born in Kentucky, and son of James Hall, first Man of Letters in Illinois. State Treasurer 1827-31. President of first state historical society 1827-33. Author of first book of literary style in Illinois 1828. Trustee of Illinois College . . . — — Map (db m42388) HM
The Illinois General Assembly authorized Governor Edward Coles in 1823 to convey to Vandalia one and one-half acres for a state burial ground. Here were buried four members of the legislature and several state officials who died while in office. . . . — — Map (db m42371) HM
This is the site of a two-story frame building occupied by Robert Blackwell, State Printer 1818-1832, and publisher of the Laws of the United States. In 1823 he became publisher of the Illinois Intelligencer newspaper. The first periodical in . . . — — Map (db m42348) HM
Born in Kentucky. State Printer. Publisher of Laws of United States. Editor of newspaper "Illinois Intelligencer" 1825-32 and Co-Owner with James Hall 1829-32. House of Representatives 1832. Senate 1838-40. Black Hawk War soldier. . . . — — Map (db m42376) HM
Born in Virginia. State Treasurer 1819-23. Trustee of Vandalia appointed by Legislature 1821. House of Representatives 1826-28. Senate 1828-32 and 1836-38. State Bank Commissioner 1835-37. Registrar of U.S. Land Office. Isabella, niece of Shadrach . . . — — Map (db m42423) HM
On this site lived Robert K. McLaughlin, State Treasurer 1820-1823, State Senator 1828-1832, 1836-1837, and Register of the United States Land Office 1837-1845. Here the Governors of Illinois resided when the Legislature was in session. The . . . — — Map (db m42339) HM
The second state capitol owned by the State was a two-story brick building erected here in 1824, using the walls of the first State Bank which burned January 28, 1823. Abraham Lincoln was a member of the House in the 1834-1835 and 1835-1836 . . . — — Map (db m42351) HM
Colonel Robert Blackwell's new two-story frame store and boarding house opened on this site in time for the convening of the Ninth General Assembly on December 1, 1834. He advertised board and lodging for 'thirty or forty.' — — Map (db m144303) HM
John Charters operated a large tavern on this site from the late 1820's to November 1835. Under the name, "Sign of the Green Tree," it was operated by Thomas Redmond until 1838. — — Map (db m144133) HM
Here stood a two-story log building erected in 1819 for Ferdinand Ernst who brought the German colony to Vandalia. Named Union Hall, it was operated as a hotel. After Ernst's death in 1823 it was managed by E.M. Townsend, and from April 1825 by . . . — — Map (db m42363) HM
Young Lincoln said of his own ambitions, "...I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed by my fellow man, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem."
This representation of Lincoln in bronze at the time he served in the state . . . — — Map (db m42532) HM
Wooten Harris Henry Ginger
John Morrell Thomas Mahon
John Diamond Isaac Martin
Joseph Evans Benjamin Todd
Michael Tedrick James Virden
James S. Carson Rev. Henry Walker
James Cheshier Thomas Craig Sr.
Harris Reavis . . . — — Map (db m42536) HM
The Charters Hotel stood on this very site. It was built around 1820 and operated by John Charters until November 1835. At that time it was acquired by Thomas Redmond who operated the establishment under the name of Sign of the Green Tree. . . . — — Map (db m144453) HM
The third capitol building owned by the state was restored as a memorial in 1933. It was the capitol from December 3, 1836 to July 4, 1839. Abraham Lincoln was a member of the House during the three sessions of the legislature held in this . . . — — Map (db m42346) HM
Not all of Lincolns time was dedicated to noble causes like opposing slavery and championing internal improvements. In 1833, Mrs. Bennett Abell, a New Salem neighbor of Lincoln, brought her sister Mary Owens to New Salem for an extended visit. . . . — — Map (db m42521) HM
In 1828 Joseph Shriver surveyed the National Road from Indiana to the Illinois capital at Vandalia. Between the Wabash and Kaskaskia rivers, he found little more than wilderness.
By the mid-1830s, the National Road had spawned settlements in . . . — — Map (db m144226) HM
Come inside and live the story of the Historic National Road, the road that built the nation. Just thirty years after declaring independence from the British, the young nation was feeling the growing pains of westward expansion. President Thomas . . . — — Map (db m144185) HM
As the Illinois State Capital, Vandalia provided many hotels to serve the needs of legislators and visitors. Vandalia had at least eleven hotels that served the needs of travelers. Whenever a session of the legislature was in progress, these . . . — — Map (db m144134) HM
Born in Maryland. Clerk of First General Assembly of Illinois Territory, Kaskaskia 1812. Clerk of House of Representatives and of Legislative Council, 1815. Clerk of Constitutional Convention 1818. Secretary of Senate 1818-20. Chief Surveyor of . . . — — Map (db m42374) HM
