Chester, Illinois officials will re-dedicate a monument in honor of Illinois’ first governor, Shadrach Bond, on Sunday at a rededication ceremony in Evergreen Cemetery where he is buried.
Bond’s monument sits in Illinois’ smallest state park, according to Chester Tourism Commission chairperson Sandra Starr.
“It measures 25 by 90 feet,” Starr said.
Governor Shadrach Bond served as the state’s governor from 1818 to 1822.
The obelisk, which stood 13 feet tall, was originally erected in 1883. It was destroyed in a storm in 2008 after a tree fell on it and broke the monument in half. A bench in Evergreen Cemetery is made of one of the broken pieces of the old monument.
It was only after Illinois residents Betty Wagner and Marlene Seymour began to promote the repair and rededication of the monument by fundraising that the Chester Tourism Commission stepped in about a year ago to make the rededication happen. Shortly after, the commission received a bid for $8,700 for the obelisk’s replacement.
“It was dedicated once in the 1800’s and now we’re re-dedicating it again,” Starr said. “We think that it’s prominent, and not only was Shadrach Bond the first governor of Illinois, but Illinois is about to celebrate its 200th anniversary.”
Illinois became a state in 1818.
Several guests will speak at the rededication ceremony, including Wagner and Robert Yale, a direct descendant of Shadrach Bond, who will travel from the northwest to speak at the ceremony.
The event will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Evergreen Cemetery.