Fort Massac Illinois first state park
The emphasis for preserving Fort Massac and making it Illinois first state park is owed completely to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Their work in this endeavor secured the original 24 acres in 1903 by the State of Illinois and on November 5th 1908 it was officially dedicated.
To understand why the fort was saved you need only read this article from The St. Louis Republic., February 22, 1903, Magazine Section: "Shall Illinois Preserve the Ruins of Old Fort Massac?"
The following images are some that I have collected over the years.
Grand Entrance to Massac Park, Metropolis, Ill.
H. J. Humma, Publisher
Hand Colored
Curtis Drug Co.
The Paducah Evening Sun
Thursday Evening November 5, 1908
Monument to Gen. George Rogers Clark unveiled this afternoon at Fort Massac near Metropolis
Fifty Excursionists from Paducah attend ceremonies - descendants of Clark family present.
Paducah is represented by fifty citizens at the unveiling ceremonies of the monument erected at Ft. Massac, Metropolis, in honor of George Rogers Clark. The unveiling ceremony was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at Fort Massac park. The Paducah delegation went to Metropolis on the George Cowling this morning at 10 o'clock and will return this evening at 6:30 o'clock. The Paducah chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, attended the ceremonies in a body and the Paducah chapter was entertained at dinner by the Metropolis chapter D. A. R.
Mrs. W. G. Whitefield and Mr George C. Wallace, great-great niece and great-great nephew of George Rogers Clark, attended the unveiling. Those who went to Metropolis from here were:
Mesdames Eli G. Boone, James Baldwin, Edward Bringhurst, Mary Boswell, L. S. DuBois, Armour Gardner, George B. Hart, David G. Morrell, Laura Mitchell, Sallie Morrow, Nancy Moore, M. B. Nash, Edmund M. Post, Roy McKinney, S. B. Pulliam, Luke Russell, Hubbard S. Wells, I. O. Walker, Hal Walters, T. E. Holland, Paul Privince, Dr Delia Caldwell; Misses Mattie Fowler, May Edna Martin, Anne Sherr II Baird, Elizabeth Caldwell, Emily Morrow, Mildred Terrell and Harry Williamson, and Messers. Eli G. Boone, Dr. D. G. Murrell, Rev. S. B. Moore, W. G. Whitefield, Capt. J. A. Williamson, Major J. H. Ashcraft, Dr. Harry Williamson and H. S. Wells.
The unveiling was performed by Mrs Batrice Chouteau Turner, a great-great grand niece of General Clark. Governor Deneen, Secretary of State Rose, Senator Helm, Prof. Blair. of the University of Illinois and the Rev. T. D. Latimer are on the program. Several hundred members of the Illinois State D. A. R. went to Metropolis from Jacksonville, where the annual meeting was concluded yesterday.
The Chicago Eagle
Saturday, November 14, 1908
Clark Monument Dedicated
Deneen Speaks at Celebration in Honor of Explorer.
The dedication of Fort Massac State Park and of the monument to George Rogers Clark near Metropolis Thursday drew 3,000 persons from Illinois and other States. Virginia and Kentucky were largely represented. Washington D. C., Chicago, Bloomington, Springfield and Jacksonville all sent representatives. The exercises were conducted by the Illinois Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Mathew T. Scott of Bloomington, regent for Illinois, presided. Gov. Deneen delivered the principal address of the day, and received the park and the monument on behalf of the State. The park is on the bank of the Ohio River. The monument, surrounded by cannon and fountains, is erected on the site of old Fort Massac. George Rogers Clark, on his way to Kaskaskia, entered the Illinois country with his regiment at the mouth of Fort Massac creek, one mile above the site of this fort, on June 28, 1778. It was probably here that a flag, representing the sovereignty of the United States, was first unfolded in this State.
No comments:
Post a Comment