• Illinoisillinois outline image by Kim Jones from Fotolia.com
  
  A monument is a place or object that commemorates an person or event. Illinois contains a large number of monuments dedicated to American history. Most of the monuments in the state are located in the state's largest city, Chicago, and its capital, Springfield. But many of Illinois' smaller towns have historic monuments as well.
  
  

Lincoln's Tomb and Home

• Abraham Lincoln's resting place and former home is in Illinois' state capital of Springfield. Lincoln's tomb is in Illinois' most historic cemetery, Oak Ridge Cemetery. The sixteenthth President's wife and sons are buried here too, except for Robert Todd, who is at Arlington National Cemetery. Built in 1865, the memorial features an impressive 117-foot obelisk. And a model sculpture of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., can be found inside the rotunda of the Tomb. Lincoln's home before he became President is preserved in Springfield. This National Historic Landmark is always free and open to the public.
  
  Lincoln's Tomb
  1500 Monument Ave.
  Springfield, IL 62702
  (217) 782-2717
  
  Lincoln Home NHS
  413 South Eighth Street
  Springfield, Illinois 62701
  (217) 492-4241
  
  

Starved Rock

• Starved Rock is one of the most surprisingly beautiful landscapes in Illinois. The mountains are not as big as the Rockies out west, but taking a hike through Starved Rock can serve the same purpose and give one the same experience with nature. The park is a national monument due to its colonial history. It was the sit of Fort St. Louis in 1682. The rock itself is a flat-topped cliff that overlooks the Illinois River. The park is only two hours away from Chicago.
  
  Starved Rock State Park
  Starved Rock S P Road
  P.O. Box 509
  Utica, IL 61373
  815-667-4726
  stateparks.com/starved_rock.html
  
  

Frank Lloyd Wright Home

• Frank Lloyd Wright has many designs throughout the Chicagoland area, but his former home and studio in the west suburb of Oak Park is a National Historic Landmark. This house is a monument to one of America's greatest architects of all time, one that exemplifies Wright's organic shingle style.
  
  Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
  951 Chicago Ave.
  Oak Park, IL 60302
  (708) 848-1976