Civil War Memorial (Sycamore, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Civil War Memorial
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
| Location | Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois, USA |
|---|---|
| Built | 1896 |
| Part of | Sycamore Historic District (ID78003104) |
The Civil War Memorial is a special monument in Sycamore, Illinois. It stands right in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse on a public square. This memorial was built in 1896 and officially opened in 1897.
It honors the thousands of people from DeKalb County who served in the American Civil War. The monument is very tall, like a huge stone pillar called an obelisk, reaching 50 feet (about 15 meters) high. Its base has cool copper statues, made by an artist whose name is unknown.
Interestingly, the word "Antietam," which is the name of a famous battle, is spelled wrong on the east side of the memorial. This important piece of public art was cleaned and fixed up for the first time in 2005-2006.
The memorial is part of the Sycamore Historic District, which includes 187 important buildings and structures. This historic area was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The memorial is also important for its art, as it's listed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's research database. It's one of the few sculptures from DeKalb County found there. The Civil War Memorial is owned by DeKalb County.
Contents
History of the Memorial
The DeKalb County Civil War Memorial was put in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse in 1896. The statues on it were made by an unknown artist. This monument, owned by the county, stands in the public square in Sycamore. It is 50 feet (15.2 meters) tall.
The memorial was officially dedicated on June 24, 1897. It was built to remember the 2,388 people from DeKalb County who fought in the American Civil War.
Restoration Work
In July 2005, the statues on the monument were repaired and cleaned. DeKalb County spent $15,000 on this project. The work included fixing a split in one soldier statue and a crack in another statue's base.
The repair project took about six months. The statues were taken away during this time and put back in March 2006. During the restoration, workers found out that the statues, which people thought were bronze, were actually made of copper. This was the first time the memorial had been repaired in its 110-year history, and it cost $16,500.
Just three months after the work was finished, one of the statues had to be removed again. This was because the metal started to change color due to oxidation.
Design of the Monument
The memorial is 50 feet (15.2 meters) tall. Its base is 10 feet (3 meters) long and 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. The monument is made from a mix of marble, stone, and copper for the statues. It even has some wood in its design.
The rifles held by the figures on the base, and the bases they stand on, are made of wood. The front of the memorial has a marble plate. On it is a famous quote from U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The other sides, also covered in marble, show the names of major battles from the war.
As mentioned, the word "Antietam" is spelled wrong as "Anteitam" on the east marble side.
Statues and Figures
Two copper statues, each 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, stand on either side of the main pillar. The obelisk itself is topped with a stone soldier statue, which is unusual for an obelisk. The figure at the very top is a Civil War soldier with a mustache. He wears a long coat, a cape, and a cap.
In his right hand, the soldier holds his sword, with the tip resting in front of his right foot. In his left hand, he holds a flag. Below this top figure, on the memorial's base, are two more sculpted figures. One is a Union infantry soldier, and the other is a Union cavalry soldier.
The Union infantryman wears a cap, long coat, and cape, much like the soldier at the top. The Union cavalryman, on the east side of the base, wears a brimmed hat and a short jacket.
Why the Memorial is Important
In 1974, a survey called the Illinois Historic Sites Survey Inventory looked at the DeKalb County Civil War Memorial. They found it important for its connection to military history and for its sculpture. At that time, the memorial was in "excellent" condition and had not been changed.
It is also one of the few sculptures in DeKalb County that is listed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's research system (SIRIS). The Civil War Memorial is considered a "contributing property" to the Sycamore Historic District. This historic district became part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 1978. Because it's part of the Sycamore Historic District, the National Register calls the DeKalb County Civil War Memorial an "object."
See also
In Spanish: Civil War Memorial (Sycamore) para niños
