Prairie State Wire

A monument in Alton, honoring the renowned abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy, has undergone significant restoration work courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and community supporters. Known for its 110-foot height, the Lovejoy monument required substantial repairs, which were essential to preserve its granite and limestone structure.

Pivotal repairs including masonry work took place last fall, focused on cleaning, tuckpointing, and sealing seams to prevent further weather and environmental damage. The initial project investment by IDNR was $42,944, and the total expenditure is expected to exceed $50,000 after addressing condition assessments and removing graffiti.

The restoration also involves addressing vandalism on surrounding structures, with IDNR collaborating with the City of Alton, the Alton Area Landmarks Association, and local volunteer Brandon Hall. Together, they work on cleaning graffiti from the retaining wall and steps that lead to the monument.

"Lovejoy became a martyr to the abolitionists’ cause in 1837 and to the importance of free speech," highlighted IDNR site superintendent Brad Winn, emphasizing the monument's historical significance and its lessons for the future.

Lovejoy's legacy as a pastor and vocal anti-slavery writer in the "Alton Observer" a few decades before the Civil War made him a target for slaveholders. Despite threats, he stood firm in his advocacy until a pro-slavery mob killed him in 1837, throwing his printing presses into the Mississippi River. The monument, crowned with a winged victory statue, remains a testament to his enduring impact at the Alton City Cemetery entrance.