Governor Coles State Memorial

Art & landmarks
In Edwardsville, Illinois
On Route 66

The Governor Coles State Memorial stands in Edwardsville, IL, inside Valley View Cemetery, and honors Edward Coles, who served as the second governor of Illinois from 1822 to 1826. Built in 1928 and 1929, the concrete monument carries a bronze portrait of Coles by the sculptor Leon Hermant. It is kept as a state historic site and makes a short, quiet history stop less than a mile off the old road.

What is Governor Coles State Memorial?

The memorial is a concrete monument with a bronze likeness of Coles set into it. It goes by several names: Edward E. Coles Monument is one, Governor Coles Monument another. The state's historic preservation agency looks after it as a state historic site.

Its setting is a working cemetery, which gives the stop a calm, reflective feel.

History of Governor Coles State Memorial

Edward Coles led Illinois in its early statehood years, holding the governor's office from 1822 to 1826. About a century later, in 1928 and 1929, the monument was raised in his honor, and Leon Hermant sculpted the bronze portrait for it.

Visiting Governor Coles State Memorial: tips

Treat the cemetery with respect and keep a quiet voice around graves and mourners. The site reports wheelchair access. A visit takes 15 minutes or so.

Pair it with the St. Louis Street Historic District, about a mile away, where Edwardsville's Victorian houses line several blocks. The Gardens at SIUE are about 1.1 miles off, and the Berleman House about 1.5 miles.

Practical info

Address: Edwardsville, IL 62025
Website: dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/experience/sites/site.governor-coles-memorial.html
Hours: Open 24 h
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

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Governor Coles State Memorial with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near Governor Coles State Memorial

All of Illinois

St. Louis Street Historic District

Edwardsville, Illinois · 0.2 mi from Route 66

Blocks of fine late-1800s homes on what was once one of Edwardsville's most fashionable streets.

Historic districtPhoto credit

1.0 mi from Governor Coles State Memorial

The Gardens at SIUE

Edwardsville, Illinois · 1.1 mi from Route 66

A 35-acre university garden in Edwardsville that grew out of a campus arboretum.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

1.1 mi from Governor Coles State Memorial

Berleman House

Edwardsville, Illinois · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A one-story 1860s brick house with a Greek Revival doorway, home to one family for almost a century.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

1.5 mi from Governor Coles State Memorial

LeClaire Historic District

Edwardsville, Illinois · 0.8 mi from Route 66

An 1890s factory village built on profit sharing and free adult classes, praised by Nellie Bly.

Historic districtPhoto credit

1.5 mi from Governor Coles State Memorial

Benjamin Stephenson House

Edwardsville, Illinois · 0.3 mi from Route 66

An 1820 Federal home restored to its original look and open as a museum in Edwardsville.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

1.5 mi from Governor Coles State Memorial

John Weir House

Edwardsville, Illinois · 0.4 mi from Route 66

Edwardsville's second-oldest house, an 1836 brick Federal home where a doctor saw patients.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

1.5 mi from Governor Coles State Memorial

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