Historic Site· 1906· National Military Park

Illinois Memorial

National Register of Historic Places

The largest state memorial in the entire National Military Park system — modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. Illinois sent more soldiers to the Siege of Vicksburg than any other state: 36,325 men. The memorial, dedicated in 1906, lists every one of their names on bronze tablets inside. Sixty steps — one for each day of the campaign — lead up to the columned portico. The interior dome rises 75 feet. It is both a monument and a registry of the dead, built to ensure that the scale of Illinois's sacrifice would never be reduced to a number.

Quick facts

·Largest state memorial in the National Military Park system — modeled after the Pantheon in Rome.
·Illinois sent 36,325 soldiers to the Vicksburg campaign, more than any other state.
·Every soldier's name is inscribed on bronze tablets inside the rotunda.
·Sixty granite steps lead to the portico — one for each day of the campaign.
·Interior dome rises 75 feet. Dedicated October 26, 1906.
·Located on the 16-mile park tour road. Open during park hours. Free.