The Illinois State Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park

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The Illinois State Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park is one of my favorite monuments at the park. I’ve seen it only a few times but I know I will stop every time I visit the park. Back in February I wrote an article about my last visit to Vicksburg National Military Park and about the Union Forces Monuments. But I didn’t go into more detail about the popular monuments. Today, I want share some more details about the Illinois State Memorial and the pictures I took that day.

The Illinois State Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park – History

The Illinois State Memorial was designed by W. L. B. Jenney and the sculptor was Charles J. Mulligan. It was built by Culver Construction Company with William B. Mundie contracting the designers and sculptors.

‘In designing the memorial, the decision was made to construct not only a grand and imposing commemorative structure worthy of the State of Illinois, but a temple of fame as well, within the walls of which will be preserved in enduring bronze and stone the name of every soldier from Illinois who participated in that memorable and decisive campaign and siege.”

The long stairway that leads to the base was made from Stone Mountain (GA) Granite. The base is also made from the same granite. There are 47 steps that represents one step for each day of the Siege of Vicksburg. Sitting on the base is the memorial and it was made from Georgia White Marble. The designer took inspiration from the Roman Pantheon.

To honor the soldiers that were part of the Vicksburg Campaign, 60 bronze tablets were added. They line the interior walls. On those tablets you will find 36,325 names. On the top of the structure there is a bronze bald eagle that was sculpted by Fredrick C. Hibbard of Chicago. The monument is 62 feet tall.

The Illinois State Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park was dedicated on October 26, 1906 at a of cost $194,423.92. That’s about $5,588,134.61 if it were built in 2020!

Source: Illinois Memorial