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Oldest monument in Chicago.

Oldest Monument In Chicago

Field review by the editors.

Chicago, Illinois

Nearly 16 feet tall, a battered monument marks the state line between Indiana and Illinois, and has been doing so since 1838. Built of large, age-pitted limestone blocks in a crude kind of pyramid, topped by a little roof that looks like a hat, it stands in a small patch of gravel just outside the gates of the Commonwealth Edison Generating Plant.

We normally don't care much about state line markers, not even big ones. But this particular pile of rocks has the distinction of being here longer than any other human-made monument in Chicago; it's been here nearly as long as there's been a Chicago. In deference to its alpha status, it was carefully moved about 200 feet north to its present spot in 1988, and was designated an official Chicago Landmark in 2002.

People have gone to a lot of trouble for this blocky thing.

Oldest Monument In Chicago

Commonwealth Edison State Line Generating Plant

Address:
S. Access Rd, Chicago, IL
Directions:
Drive south on US 41/Mackinaw Ave., paralleling the lake, until you reach 99th St. Turn left onto 99th, then quickly turn right onto Ave. H, then quickly turn left onto 100th St., then quickly turn right onto Ave. G. Drive to the end. The monument stands outside the gates of the Commonwealth Edison State Line Generating Plant.
Hours:
Daylight. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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In the region:
Father Marquette with Swastikas, Chicago, IL - 12 mi.

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