Historical Markers and War Memorials in Chester, Illinois
Chester is the county seat for Randolph County
Chester is in Randolph County
Randolph County(114) ► ADJACENT TO RANDOLPH COUNTY Jackson County(49) ► Monroe County(156) ► Perry County(10) ► St. Clair County(230) ► Washington County(8) ► Perry County, Missouri(21) ► Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri(12) ►
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Alice first appeared in 1933 as the beastly cohort of the evil Seahag. Alice the Goon and her child soon became friends with Popeye and fan favorites. — — Map (db m161543) HM
Castor, Olive's brother, was always a schemer. In 1929 he met Bernice the Magical Hen, and planned a boat trip to Dice Island. A very young Popeye was hired to pilot their boat. Elzie Segar, the year before he died, introduced "Castor Oyl, the . . . — — Map (db m161717) HM
The town of Chester, Illinois, sprawls on the eastern bluffs overlooking the November 27, 1803, Horse Island campsite of Captain Lewis and William Clark on the west bank of the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Kaskaskia River. The . . . — — Map (db m144872) HM
Shadrach Bond, first Governor of Illinois (1818-1822), is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Chester. The first recorded settler in the area was John McFerron who purchased land in 1817 but Samuel Smith, who settled here in 1830, is considered the . . . — — Map (db m161446) HM
Father of Olive & Castor Oyl, husband to Nana and original cast member of Thimble Theater in 1919. Cole's character was inspired by Chester Library's founder, C.B. Cole — — Map (db m161721) HM
Elias Kent Kane, architect of the state's first constitution was born in New York in 1794. Kane studied law and began his practice in Tennessee. In 1814 he moved to Kaskaskia, where he was appointed a judge of the Illinois Territory. Active in . . . — — Map (db m161382) HM
The Mississippi "cannot be tamed, curbed, or confined…you cannot bar its path with an obstruction which it will not tear down, dance over and laugh at."
-Mark Twain
The bottomland in front of you was flooded from the Chester bluff . . . — — Map (db m161862) HM
For God and Country, dedicated in memory of those of our community who made the supreme sacrifice in the great wars. May they rest in peace . — — Map (db m190977) WM
These miniature replicas of Popeye first appeared in a dream sequence in the 1940 film "Wimmin is a Myskery". They returned as Popeye's four nephews in the 1942 film "Pip-eye, Pup-eye, Poop-eye and' Peep-eye" and many other films for four decades — — Map (db m161718) HM
In the third year of the American Revolutionary War, Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark and his army of 170 Virginians set out from Fort Massac (Metropolis) on their way to liberate the town of Kaskaskia from British control. On July 3, 1778, Clark's army . . . — — Map (db m161445) HM
Shadrach Bond, first Governor of Illinois, was born November 24, 1773, in Fredericktown, Maryland. He came to Illinois in 1794 and farmed at New Design. In 1805 he was elected to the Indiana Territorial Assembly, where he was instrumental in . . . — — Map (db m161381) HM
On Dec. 19, 1919 Harold Hamgravy and Olive Oyl became the premiere characters of Segar's Cartoon Series, Thimble Theatre. Popeye's debut would follow Jan. 17, 1929. — — Map (db m196122) HM
On November 27, 1803, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their party camped on Horse Island, just opposite this place at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. The next morning, Lewis left them to travel by land. Clark and the men . . . — — Map (db m144873) HM
Built in 1854, in continuous service from 1854-1930. Was originally part of a planked toll road between Breman and Chester. All of the timber in the bridge is the original with the exceptions of the floor, floor joist, roof and siding. Acquired by . . . — — Map (db m161447) HM
In 1936 King Features Syndicate instructed Elzie Segar to tone down Popeye's roughness. They feared his popular sailor was too rough for the millions of his young fans. Pappy, Popeye's ornery father, was created to fill the void. Pappy's film debut . . . — — Map (db m161541) HM
This statue is erected in tribute to Elzie Crisler Segar
Born in Chester, Illinois - Dec. 8, 1894
Died in Santa Monica, California - Oct. 13, 1938
Mr. Segar created Popeye from his recollection of Frank "Rocky" Fiegel — . . . — — Map (db m70409) HM
Chester's Historic Riverfront. Imagine early Chester and its bustling businesses along the riverfront. Hotels, restaurants, a machine shop, and several large stores lined both sides of the street. The Landmark (known as the St.Louis Flats) on the . . . — — Map (db m155831) HM
Elzie Segar debuted this eccentric inventor and self-described genius on May 8, 1932 by writing him into the popular "Sappo" comic. The professor became a mainstay in the Popeye comic books of the 1940's — — Map (db m161540) HM
Segar's hard working chef debuted on May 24, 1931. He owns and operates the Rough House Café. Since the diner serves hamburgers, Wimpy frequents the beanery in constant search of a free meal and his famous plea "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a . . . — — Map (db m161716) HM
The Sea Hag was created by Elzie C. Segar in 1929 as part of the "Thimble Theater" comic strip. She has become one of the principal enemies of Popeye the Sailor. Upon first meeting Popeye she fell madly in love with him. With the aid of her pet . . . — — Map (db m161714) HM
The Times
Elzie Crisler Segar
Creator of Popeye
Born December 8, 1894
Chester Illinois
Erected in 2019
125 Anniversary
of Segar's Birth
Acknowledging
Segar's compelling
interest in the
master detective — — Map (db m196128) HM
The Village of Kaskaskia was established in April 1703 by the French in Illinois Country of New France. Kaskaskia is recognized as the oldest seat of organized government west of the Allegheny Mountains.
On April 18, 1818, the United States . . . — — Map (db m163829) HM
In 1938 plans began in Chester to build a bridge spanning the Mississippi River. Construction of the bridge started in 1941 and was completed in 1942 at a cost of $1,385,000. The total length of the bridge was 2,826 feet with two 670 foot center . . . — — Map (db m161842) HM
The railroads were part of everyday life. Up to 14 passenger and freight trains passed through Chester each day on three railroads. A popular means of transportation was the Dinky, a self-propelled motor car for short and low volume routes. . . . — — Map (db m156246) HM
Showboats traveled up and down the river bring plays and music to Chester. A band marched up the hill to play at the courthouse or in town. Residents were invited to attend plays performed on board — — Map (db m156191) HM
This Eternal Flame
A Torch of Freedom
Dedicated in memory of all war heroes, living and dead, for devoted service to their country — — Map (db m190981) WM
Thomas Mather was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, in 1795. His father, William Mather, fought in the Revolutionary War and was a direct descendant of Cotton Mather. The New England minister associated with the Salem Witch Trials. Thomas Mather . . . — — Map (db m161322) HM
Dedicated to the memory of
Those who died in military
Service to our station, and in
Honor of all who served in
The Armed Forces of the
United States of America.
Those honored here "gave the
Last full measure of devotion" . . . — — Map (db m163833) WM
Weistar House ca 1859
has been listed in the
National Register
Of Historic Places
(additional plaque:)
Stone Cottage
1850
on Lot 20 deeded to
John & Samuel Lybarger
Descendants of
Revolutionary War . . . — — Map (db m163831) HM
