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Home > Illinois > Structures and Monuments in Which Illinois Stone...
Finished Products from Illinois Stone in Illinois
Chicago - Before the Fire, After the Fire, and To-Day (June 1895). Scribner's Magazine, Vol. 17, Issue 6, June 1895, pgs. 663-680 (text of article in digital images viewed at American Memory, Library of Congress)
Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station. (photograph and history) "One of only a few survivors of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire.The Water Tower is built of Illinois Limestone (probably Joliet or Sugar Run formation). This stone was widely used by early settlers but was supplanted by Indiana limestone due to durability issues. The Illinois limestones are more yellow in color, the Indiana limestones are light grey to white when newly cut. (Scroll down to "Chicago Caves and Canyons", then "Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station" for more information.)
Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Water Tower Campus WebCam at Loyola University
Chicago, Illinois - 1869 Chicago Water Tower (photograph and history)
The stone for the Confederate Monument in Oakwoods Cemetery, Chicago, was quarried and cut at the Southern Granite Co. works in Lithonia, Georgia.
According to this article, the castle-like façade located at the entrance to Rosehill Cemetery was constructed from Joliet limestone. William W. Boyington (1818-1898), architect, designed the structure. The “castle entrance” was erected in 1864. Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois, was established in 1859.
“A new enterprise is being developed at Cokeville, Wyo., that bids fair to become an important factor in the industries of the State, says the Engineering and Mining Journal. It is the discovery and development of a large deposit of amber onyx. The company are now taking out slabs 4x2 feet, but expect to take out much larger slabs in the near future. The amber contains all kinds of figures imaginable. The company are taking out some very fine-veined white onyx, and also some cream onyx that is very handsome, showing half a dozen different colors and figures when polished. The company shipped a carload of finished onyx to be used in the Y.M.C.A. building in Chicago. The company expect to make this one of the greatest enterprises in Wyoming. The company has its general office at 225 Dearborn street, Chicago, and the officers are Clarence B. White, President; J. M. Van Osdel, Treasurer, and C. R. Van Osdel, Secretary.”
DeKalb, Illinois - Northern Illinois University
- Swen Parson Library today the Swen Parson Hall (photograph
and history), presented on the Northern Illinois University
web site. (The
link to the virtual tour from which the following information
is no longer available.)
<http://www.niu.edu/virtualtour/campus/SP.html>
According to the web site, Swen Parson Library was open for use in 1952, and Illinois limestone was used in the construction of the exterior. Today the building is known as the Swen Parson Hall.
Evanston (near), Illinois - the James Roscoe Miller Campus AKA the “Lakefill” Campus - of the Northwestern University, presented on the Northwest University.
Limestone from Illinois and Indiana quarries was used in the construction of the seawall perimeter of the filled-in area of the campus which was constructed between 1962 and 1964. The filled-in area extended the “eastern edge of the campus 1,000 feet into Lake Michigan.”
Freeport, Illinois - the Stephenson County Courthouse (photograph) The courthouse was constructed of Joliet marble.
Grafton, Illinois - the Illinois Youth Center Pere Marquette, previously known as the Harry Hill Ferguson Estate and the Pere Marquette Boys’ Camp, presented by the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Harry Hill Ferguson, an Alton industrialist, “purchased limestone blocks from the local Grafton quarries and small portions from an old trading posts.” He imported stonemasons from Europe and Yugoslavia to do the stonework on his estate. Limestone was used in the construction of the buildings on Mr. Ferguson’s estate. Mr. Ferguson willed his farm to the State of Illinois, and in March 1963 the facility opened as the Pere Marquette Boys' Camp, and in 1973 was organized as a residential center. As of June 1981 it became known as the Illinois Youth Center - Pere Marquette.
The Campbell/Strong home was built between about 1845 and the late 1850s. It is constructed primarily of Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
You can view a photograph of the Morgan County Courthouse on the Morgan County Archives web site. According to this web site, the present courthouse is the third courthouse for Morgan County, which was completed in 1869. Limestone from Joliet area quarries provided the stone for the exterior of the courthouse, which was designed in the French Renaissance style.
The Dorn home was built in 1929. It is constructed of Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
The Gem Theater is constructed of brick and Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
The Joliet Steel Works building was built 1891. It is constructed of Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
The Max Goldberg home was built between about 1845 and the late 1850s. It is constructed primarily of Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
"History - The City of Joliet was founded in 1831 by settlers who were attracted to the area by abundant fertile soil and soft coal and limestone deposits. The geography of the area was marked by bluffs to the west of the Des Plaines River Valley, at the time well-timbered, and by gently rolling prairie.
"An important industrial resource of earliest Joliet that has continued to the present is the vast beds of limestone that underlie the city and surrounding area. Buildings constructed during the 19th century of local limestone still stand in many areas of the city, with several excellent examples contained in the proposed district (#'s 3, 10, 30, 37, 44). Chicago's historic Water Tower was constructed of Joliet limestone as was the Old State Capitol in Springfield."
The Jacob A. Henry mansion is listed on the National Register. Construction of the mansion began in 1873 and was completed in 1876. Limestone from Mr. Henry's Joliet quarry was used for the foundation and basement floor. Red Illinois sandstone and red brick, fired in Ohio, were used in the next two floors. Single slabs of limestone were used for the porches, and the largest limestone slab every quarried in Joliet was used under the entrance gates. According to this web site, the stone measures 22 feet by 9 feet by 20 inches.
The Patrick Haley home was built in 1891. It is constructed of Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
The John Scheuber home was built about 1850. It is constructed of Joliet limestone quarried in the area.
The Wagner home was built in the early 1850s. It is constructed of Joliet limestone quarried in the area. It is noted that the original owner was a stone cutter who worked in the area.
This article presents the history of Joliet Prison, which was built with Joliet limestone using the labor of the prisoners.
Lemont, Illinois - The Story of the Old Stone Church (photograph and history), presented by the Lemont Area Historical Society. The stone church was originally constructed with Lemont Limestone tailings from the Brown Quarry, located on the west side of town.
Lemont, Illinois - the old School and other structures built of Lemont Limestone - the SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish. This site is presented by the SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish. It describes the history of the parish and includes many photographs including one of the rebuilt school. There is also some information about the limestone quarries near the town in which the local men worked.
Lockport, Illinois - the Central Square Building constructed in 1869 of locally quarried cream-colored limestone. This site is presented by the City of Lockport. A photograph of the Central Square building is included.
This is an account of Maeystown. There are several buildings remaining constructed of limestone.
Nauvoo, Illinois - the Navoo Illinois Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Stone quarried from the Nauvoo Limestone Quarry was used in the construction of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois. (The link from which this information was obtained in no longer available. This site was presented by JP&G Enterprises.) Click here to view "Nauvoo will be forever changed by the Temple getting rebuilt," by Norm Winick, presented on The Zephyr.com web site.
Rock Island, Illinois - the Clock Tower Building, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island Ill. (colorized postcard photograph, #9A-H1647; published by Curteich; unmailed; the building was constructed with limestone quarried in LeClaire, Iowa.
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(colorized postcard photograph, #9A-H1647; published by Curteich; unmailed; the building was constructed with limestone quarried in LeClaire, Iowa. |
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Rock Island (today known as Arsenal Island), Illinois - Rock Island, the island, a place of study, by Joe Nobiling. This entire site presents a wealth of information about the Rock Island/Arsenal Island. I have only listed a few sections below that pertain to the Joliet Limestone used in construction of the arsenal buildings.
Geology of the Area - Limestone from LeClaire, Iowa, and Joliet, Illinois, was used to construct the arsenal buildings. For more information on the limestone arsenal buildings, go to the next section on Colonel Rodman.
Rock Island, Illinois - Augustana College - Old Main (picture and history). This site is presented by Erwin Weber. The Old Main building was partially completed in 1888. Sandstone quarried in Le Claire, Iowa, was used in theconstruction of the exterior of the building.
Springfield, Illinois - the Illinois Statehouse, information presented by Legends of America. The web site states that the limestone quarried at Romeoville was used in the construction of the Idaho Statehouse.
Illinois Statehouse Online Tour - State Capitol (photographs), presented by the
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois - University
of Illinois (the Natural Resources
Building). (photographs and
history) For the hall, walls, and door frames,
"...blocks of mottled, light yellowish gray stone are cut
from dolomite, a rock native to Illinois. It was
quarried and finished in Joliet by the Adam Groth Stone
Company. In that area the dolomite was called
Joliet Marble. A few miles north, near Lemont,
which was once known as Athens, the same dolomite was
called Athens Marble. (The link from which the above information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/build/fulltext.html>
Village of Valmeyer, Monroe County, Illinois - Rock City Business Complex Created from Former Columbia Limestone Quarry, from The Mineral Industry of Illinois, 2002, presented by the Illinois State Geological Survey and the U. S. Geological Survey (with map). (U. S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook) [PDF]
The underground limestone quarry/mine which was located in the Village of Valmeyer, south of St. Louis, “was converted into a business complex with nearly $3.5 million in grants from State and Federal sources.” “The Rock City Business Complex being developed at the former Columbia Quarry site includes more than 460 square meters of underground space in the limestone mine. Similar development of underground mine sites at Quincy, IL, and Kansas City, MO, have been successful.”
Finished Products of Stone from Illinois in Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri - the Court House (history) (This information is presented on the 1911 Edition Encyclopedia, LoveToKnow web site.)
“...the county court house (1839 1862, $1,199,872), a semi-classic, plain, massive stone structure, the Four Courts (1871, $755,000), built of cream-colored Joliet stone....”
Finished Products of Stone from Illinois in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – the Illinois Memorial Stone, the Masons Grand Lodge of Illinois Memorial Stone, & the S. of T. (Sons of Temperance), Grand Division of Illinois Memorial Stone contributed to the Washington Monument (photograph and history), presented by the National Park Service. The information below is from the National Park Service files and is presented with a photograph of the contributed Illinois stones.
The National Park Service web site presents the memorial stones in placed in the interior of the Washington Monument. The Illinois Memorial Stone entries can be viewed on the National Park Service’s web site in either the “Album” or the “Slide Show.”
The Illinois Memorial Stone in the Washington Monument can be viewed along with the details in the WAMO Stones Section 2. The Masons, Grand Lodge of Illinois, Memorial Stone can be viewed along with the details in the WAMO Stones Section 3. The S. of T., (Sons of Temperance) Grand Division of Illinois Memorial Stone can be viewed along with the details in the WAMO Stones Section 4.
The Washington Monument web site has recently been redesigned. Below is an description that was available on the National Park Service web site in January 2008 that describes the Memorial Stones in the Washington Monument.
“A unique feature of the Washington Monument is the 193 memorial stones that adorn the interior of the monument. Starting in July 1848 the Washington National Monument Society invited states, cities and patriotic societies to contribute Memorial Stones. The Society listed some requirements to be followed. They asked that the stone be durable, a product of the state’s soil, and meet the following dimensions; four feet long, two feet high and 18 inches thick. These stones pay tribute to the character and achievements of George Washington. These traits are not only admired by Americans but by people the world over as seen by the number of stones donated by foreign countries. Below is a list of stones donated by state. In the near future all the stones will be online.
“While viewing the stones please keep in mind that the Washington Monument has undergone extensive renovation over the last three years. A key component of the project has been the restoration of the memorial stones. Over the years the stones have been damaged by moisture and vandalism. The pictures that follow show the condition of the stones before their restoration. In the upcoming months new images will be added highlighting the restored stones.”
The following information relating to the Illinois Memorial Stone can be viewed along with the details in the WAMO Stones Section 2.
Name: Illinois
Level: 50-ft.
Donor: State of Illinois
Dates: 1850s/1850s
Original material: limestone
Dimensions: 2' x 4'
Sculptor/Carver: not known
Original inscription: Illinois. State Sovereignty: National Union.
Documented material history:
• 1850: “The Illinois contribution to the Washington Monument bears this inscription: ‘Illinois - State Sovereignty - National Union.” [SDR, July 3, 1850.]
• 1850s: “[Illinois has] sent a block of buff colored native lime-stone, which looks very durable. Its surface is well polished...” [RW]
Images:
• 1850s Wilcox drawing
• 1880 Gedney drawing
• 1957 Allen photograph
• 1974 photograph
• 1980 photograph
• 2000 NPS slides
The Masons, Grand Lodge of Illinois, Memorial Stone in the Washington Monument can be viewed along with the details in the WAMO Stones Section 3.
Name: Masons, Grand Lodge of Illinois
Level: 140-ft.
Donor: Masons, Grand Lodge of Illinois
Dates: 1853/1850s
Original material: marble
Dimensions: 2' 2" x 3'
Sculptor/Carver: J. Jewell, Peoria Ill. [stone]
Original inscription: Masonic Grand Lodge of Ill. 1853
Documented material history:
• 1909: “Slightly mutilated.” [ICE]
Images:
• 1880 Gedney drawing
• 1909 drawing [ICE]
• 1957 Allen photograph
• 1974 photograph
• 1980 photograph
• 2000 NPS slides
The S. of T. (Sons of Temperance), Grand Division of Illinois Memorial Stone can be viewed along with the details in the WAMO Stones Section 4.
Name: S. of T., Grand Division of Illinois
Level: 210-ft.
Donor: S. of T., Grand Division of Illinois
Dates: 1855/1885
Original material: marble
Dimensions: 3' 1" x 4' 6"
Sculptor/Carver: J. B. Beaumont, Alton Illinois [stone]
Original inscription: Presented by the Grand Division on behalf of the Sons of Temperance of Illinois January 1, 1855. [abbr.]
Documented material history:
• 1859-60: “November 7, 1859 a letter from George F. Adams to the Washington Monument Society: ‘I have in my possession a block of marble to be placed in the Monument’...April 17, 1860, $8.86 was received from L.B.H. Smith, Treasurer of the Grand Division to pay for freightage to the Washington Monument from Alton, Illinois.” [MR]
• 1880: “Lapidarium” [CG]
Images:
• 1880 Gedney drawing
• 1957 Allen photograph
• 1974 photograph
• 1980 photograph
• 2000 NPS slides
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