Skip to main content
Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio - Oak Park

Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument

Alton Cemetery at Monument Ave., Alton, IL 62002

Historic Sites

Visit the monument of an amazingly persistent and inspirational freedom fighter, Elijah P. Lovejoy.

This monument memorializes Elijah P. Lovejoy, whose work and death in Alton gave him a place in history for the abolition of slavery. During the slavery era, Elijah Lovejoy was a pastor who wrote anti-slavery editorials so controversial he became an object of hatred by slaveholders. Despite threats to his life, he continued his anti-slavery writings in the Alton Observer, even after three of his printing presses were thrown into the Mississippi River. It was this persistence that led an angry pro-slavery mob to attack and kill him in 1837. Illinois 250

What's happening nearby...

250 on the Mississippi at Haskell Park

Haskell Park  •  Jul 01 @ 4PM

Kick off opening night of 250 on the Mississippi at Haskell Park on July 1! Enjoy a giant birthday cake, eating contests, live music, food trucks,…

Read more about 250 on the Mississippi at Haskell Park

250 on the Mississippi at Rotary Park

Alton Godfrey Rotary Park  •  Jul 02 @ 4PM

Keep the celebration going at Alton Godfrey Rotary Park with live music by American Jackals, food trucks, stilt walkers, kids activities, and festive fun for the…

Read more about 250 on the Mississippi at Rotary Park

250 on the Mississippi - Downtown Alton

Alton Amphitheater  •  Jul 03 @ 5PM

Celebrate the grand finale of 250 on the Mississippi at the Alton Amphitheater with live music, lawn games, food trucks, and the Alton Fireworks Spectacular!

Read more about 250 on the Mississippi - Downtown Alton

You might also be interested...

Alton's National Cemetery

Alton

Fought on American soil, the Civil War was the deadliest war in American history.

Read more about Alton's National Cemetery

Confederate Prison Site

Alton

Visit first Illinois State Penitentiary and learn about the ghastly history of the overcrowded, often disease-infested prison. Today, it is a monument dedicated to those who…

Read more about Confederate Prison Site

Lincoln-Douglas Square

Alton

Stand the same ground once stood as Abraham Lincoln and Stephan A. Douglas near the Alton riverfront.

Read more about Lincoln-Douglas Square

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.