Illinois Memorial facts for kids
The memorial in 2012
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 32°21′35.2″N 90°50′29.3″W / 32.359778°N 90.841472°W |
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| Location | Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States |
| Designer | William Le Baron Jenney (architect) Charles Mulligan (sculptor) |
| Builder | Culver Construction Company |
| Material | Georgia marble Granite Bronze |
| Height | 62 feet (19 m) |
| Dedicated to | Illinois soldiers who fought in the Vicksburg campaign |
The Illinois Memorial is a special monument. You can find it at Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It was officially opened in 1906. This memorial honors the brave Union Army soldiers from Illinois. They fought in the important siege of Vicksburg during the American Civil War.
The famous architect William Le Baron Jenney and sculptor Charles Mulligan designed it. People in the area sometimes call it Echo Hall or the Hollar House.
Contents
History of the Illinois Memorial
Why the Memorial Was Built
During the American Civil War, many soldiers from Illinois joined the Union Army. About 36,325 Illinois soldiers fought under General Ulysses S. Grant. They were part of the important Vicksburg campaign. This was a huge number, making up about 20% of the Union Army's forces.
The campaign ended with the siege of Vicksburg. The Union Army won on July 4, 1863. This victory gave the U.S. control of the Mississippi River. It happened just one day after another big Union win at the battle of Gettysburg. Many people see these victories as a turning point in the war.
In 1904, the government of Illinois decided to build a monument. They set aside over $190,000 for it. This money was about 20% of their budget that year. The monument would be built on the battlefield, now called Vicksburg National Military Park.
Architect William Le Baron Jenney and sculptor Charles Mulligan designed the memorial. Jenney had served in the Union Army himself. The Culver Construction Company built the monument. Construction started in mid-1906 and finished by October. The state of Illinois paid the total cost of $194,423.92.
Dedication and Later Years
The Illinois Memorial was officially opened on October 26, 1906. Thousands of people came to the ceremony. Many veterans from Illinois traveled there by train. A big parade was held through the park.
A band played several songs, including "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Governor of Illinois Charles S. Deneen gave the memorial to the Federal government of the United States. It was accepted by J. S. Schofield from the U.S. Department of War.
In the 1980s, the memorial was repaired and cleaned. In 1996, soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard and Mississippi Army National Guard visited the memorial. They reenacted part of an attack and placed a wreath there. That same year, the statue of an eagle on top was re-gilded. More gilding work was done a few years later. On October 28, 2006, a special ceremony was held to celebrate the memorial's 100th anniversary.
Design of the Memorial
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The design of the Illinois Memorial looks like the ancient Roman Pantheon. The bottom part and the stairs are made of granite. This granite came from Stone Mountain in Georgia. The rest of the structure is made of Georgia marble. The memorial stands about 62 feet (19 meters) tall.
It is the largest memorial in the Vicksburg battlefield park. The National Park Service says the design does not show any signs of war. This was a special request from the people who planned it. Inside the memorial, there are sixty bronze tablets. These tablets list the names of all 36,325 Illinois soldiers who fought in the campaign.
A bronze statue of a bald eagle sits on top of the memorial. Sculptor Frederick Hibbard created this eagle. In the 1990s, the eagle and other details inside were covered in gold again. The memorial has 47 steps leading up to it. Each step represents one day of the siege of Vicksburg. You can find the memorial near the Shirley House, along Jackson Road.
