Historical Markers and War Memorials in East St. Louis, Illinois
Belleville is the county seat for St. Clair County
East St. Louis is in St. Clair County
St. Clair County(231) ► ADJACENT TO ST. CLAIR COUNTY Clinton County(35) ► Madison County(217) ► Monroe County(163) ► Randolph County(118) ► Washington County(8) ► St. Louis, Missouri(772) ► St. Louis County, Missouri(607) ►
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Here stood the home of Malbern Stephens, a decent man who fought corruption. He was elected mayor after the riot and oversaw reparations to the victims. — — Map (db m142346) HM
Hundreds crossed the Municipal Free Bridge over to St. Louis to escape the violence. White rioters attempted to block the entrance, killing some. — — Map (db m142231) HM
White rioters attempted to push their violence past 10th Street, but snipers were ready and fired shots. Rioters retreated, but there was still much damage. — — Map (db m142227) HM
Dr. Leroy Bundy lived here. He was a community leader in 1917. He stood trial and was found guilty of causing the riot. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was later exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court. — — Map (db m142225) HM
Marcus Garvey blamed the massacre on Mayor Fred Mollman, who lived at this site. The mayor was incompetent and was indicted for not doing his duty. — — Map (db m142460) HM
The Broadway "Opera House" was an empty theater on this site. It was rumored that many African Americans were burned to death inside. No remains were identified in the ashes. — — Map (db m142238) HM
Here is where the white rioters assembled, listened to inflammatory speeches, and marched in military formation toward East Broadway. The first victim was harmed here. — — Map (db m142344) HM
On December 10, 1803 Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their party camped at this place opposite St. Louis. The next morning, Clark left Lewis in St. Louis before heading upstream towards a winter campsite. They would spend five months in Illinois . . . — — Map (db m132646) HM
On June 7th, 2005, Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis officially transferred the title of the Gateway Geyser and the 34.1 acres of grounds leading from the fountain to the Mississippi River to the Metro East Park and Recreation District . . . — — Map (db m132873) HM
The Mississippi River Overlook was completed in the spring of 2009 thanks to the support of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, which raised $4.2 million to fully fund its development. It was designed to anchor the western edge of the . . . — — Map (db m132874) HM
A dozen houses were destroyed here. It was two miles from the massacre's core and is the farthest point north that the violence spread. — — Map (db m142518) HM
Several homes were burned here, but fatalities were few. Many African Americans were alerted to the trouble by this time and fled the neighborhood. — — Map (db m142520) HM
Near this site was the City Hall, police department and fire station. On the night of the massacre, more than 1,000 people sought safety in the municipal buildings. — — Map (db m142338) HM
Narsis Gurlie lived near this spot. She stayed in her burning home until it collapsed. Severely burned, she and others fled. She was allowed to escape, but she lost everything. — — Map (db m142320) HM
On May 28, 1917, whites set fires and accosted African Americans around St. Clair Avenue. Authorities dispersed the rioters, but the troubles were not over. — — Map (db m142936) HM
Around 11 p.m. on July 2, rioters set fire to the neighborhood here in an attempt to spread the violence to the north. Major military reinforcements did not arrive until after midnight. — — Map (db m142464) HM
A streetcar was stopped near this spot. White rioters pulled African American passengers off and attacked them while soldiers stood and watched. — — Map (db m142319) HM
Here stood the residence of Scott and Iva Clark. Rioters burned their home, and a mob attacked them. A soldier did not protect them. Mr. Clark died. — — Map (db m142317) HM
The most severe property damage happened here. Houses and rail cars on the adjacent tracks were destroyed by the rioters. Very little remained standing in this area. — — Map (db m142286) HM
Over 100 African Americans barricaded in two homes here. They provided armed resistance to the white attackers. Soldiers brokered a cease fire and escorted them to St. Louis. — — Map (db m142285) HM
White rioters burned homes, armed men stood along the railroad tracks near here and gunned-down African Americans fleeing their burning homes. — — Map (db m142282) HM
Otto Nelson lived here, the only African American detective on the police force. His home was destroyed and he fled to St. Louis. — — Map (db m142239) HM
One of the tallest fountains in the world, the Gateway Geyser began operating on May 27, 1995, helping to fulfill Malcolm W. Martin's vision of creating a landmark in East St. Louis that would complement the Gateway Arch. The Gateway Geyser was . . . — — Map (db m132872) HM
(Top has wars on different columns:)
World War I
1917-1918
Spanish American War
1896-1898
Revolutionary War
1776-1784
Civil War
1861-1865
Grand Army of the Republic
One Country and One Flag . . . — — Map (db m216828) WM
York, as Clark's Body Slave, was an active voting member of the expedition. Described as big, very dark, strong, agile, athletic, and playful. York was known as "Big Medison" to Native Americans. From near this site he often paddled Lewis and Clark . . . — — Map (db m132875) HM
One of American history's most violent race riots took place here on July 2, 1917. Hundreds of citizens were brutalized in a day of death, burning, and destruction. White rioters lynched, shot, and burned innocent blacks, burned their homes, and . . . — — Map (db m228260) HM
