Lovejoy Memorial

The Lovejoy State Memorial commemorates abolitionist newspaper editor Elijah P. Lovejoy, who was killed by a mob while defending his printing press at Alton on November 7, 1837. Lovejoy’s grave is located nearby.

The memorial was dedicated in 1897. The sculptors were Robert Porter Bringhurst and Richard W. Bock. The tall center shaft is topped with a bronze winged figure blowing a trumpet, and the two smaller flanking shafts are surmounted with bronze eagles. Bronze reliefs decorate the four sides of the base. Granite markers at the bottom of the steps contain biographical information on Lovejoy.