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If You Like Military Sites

Visits to these sites both honor and thank our Veterans for the sacrifices they made on our nation's behalf.

Military Sites - Apple Maps Guide - https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/military-sites-map

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Take the Illinois River Road Military Sites Guide with You

We've gathered some of our most notable military monuments, memorials, museums, and historic sites into a convenient Apple Maps Guide(opens in new tab). Take this collection of Illinois River Road military sites with you wherever you travel!

✓ Save locations
✓ Navigate easily
✓ Discover military history & honor local heroes

We recommend calling or visiting each website for up-to-date information on hours of operation, etc.

Northern Leg of the Byway

Ottawa

LaSalle County Civil War Soldiers Memorial

Marseilles

Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall - Located on the riverfront, this memorial is the only memorial dedicate to the servicemen and women who have lost their lives fighting in the Middle East wars from 1979 to the present. 

Marseilles

Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial - Located just across the Illinois River, a second monument celebrates the lives of Illinois soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Spread across a two-and-a-half acre meadow in the far-west of Illini State Park, the 250 oak trees that make up the Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial offer a serene, peaceful tribute to fallen troops.

Princeton

A new Civil War monument called "Lift Every Name Who Served," honors 45 Black Union servicemen who fought for the 29th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, the 8th U.S. Colored Infantry and the 13th U.S. Colored Artillery.  It was started by the Bureau County Historical Society. It is located at the corner of Park Avenue West and South Pleasant Street in Princeton.

Central Leg of the Byway

Henry

In Central Park sits a torpedo representing Henry native Captain John Cromwell.  A  senior officer on board the submarine Sculpin, Cromwell was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his historic actions in World War II. 

Henry

Visitors to Henry in early summer will want stop at Stoner Park to see the Veterans’ Walk, a flag-lined path which honors both past and current members of the military. Started as an Eagle Scout project in 2005, the display has grown from 148 flags to more than 1,000 flags that line the half-mile walking trail.

Lacon

Marshall County Courthouse - A tank on display on the lawn

Chillicothe

Veteran's Memorial Park honors servicemen from the Revolutionary War through modern times with a variety of tributes. 

Peoria

A walk around the Peoria County Courthouse will allow you to view numerous memorials including the 1899 Soldiers and Sailors monument honoring Civil War Veterans; the World War I and II Memorial; and A Final Salute honoring veterans serving since World War II and future conflicts. 

Peoria

Springdale Cemetery - Spanish-American War Memorial and Civil War Memorial

Streator

WWII Canteen Monument - a monument that honors the millions of volunteers that served soldiers and sailors passing by on troop trains. The canteen was open from November 26, 1943 to May 29, 1946 and served an estimated 1.5 soldiers and sailors. The troops would be fed by volunteers boarding the train while it was serviced.

Southern Leg of the Byway 

Pekin

Two US Army M1 57mm light anti-tank guns at the Tazewell County Courthouse

Havana

Mason County Courthouse Lawn - Home to several Mason county memorials and monuments including the Civil War Monument, World War Monument, and Korean War Memorial.

Lewistown

Fulton County Courthouse - World War Memorial; Veterans Memorial is located across the street from the Courthouse

Canton

Vietnam era helicopter at Ingersoll Airport; Canton's tribute to their Veterans (non-specific)

Canton

Visit the Veterans Memorial in Lakeland Park.