Civil War Monument Fund

Why was this organization created? The Stephenson County Soldiers Monument has been a part of down town Freeport for 142 years. Standing on Court House Square it has been maintained over the years primarily by Stephenson County. With the decline in the economy the County can no longer find the funding to repair or maintain this historic monument. The Civil War Monument Fund is a Not-For-Profit Corporation created to take over the repair and maintenance of the Stephenson County Soldiers Monument through the collection of donations.

The Stephenson County Soldiers Monument, as it stands today on Courthouse Square at the corner of Galena and Stephenson Streets in down town Freeport.

This is how the monument looked in Note the Statue atop the Monument. It is of interest that the Soldiers monument was built before the Court House and the Court House was designed to match the Monument.

This photo shows the Soldiers monument under construction. The Cornerstone was laid on Tuesday October 19th in It was reported the event was very well attended.

The Soldiers Monument shown complete with the new Stephenson County Courthouse under construction in the back ground. This photo was taken in the Spring of 1870.

Here we have the completed Stephenson County Courthouse with the Soldiers Monument standing proudly next to the main entrance.

The Soldiers Monument with Courthouse. This picture was taken in Note Victory is still on her pedestal atop the monument.

During a thunder storm in October of 1960 a bolt of lightening decapitated Victory. Little is know as to the disposition of the balance of the statue.

Today a single lightening rod is all that tops the monument where Victory once stood.

As the Stephenson County Soldiers Monument stands today you might not see the problems. From a distance it looks pretty good.

When you get up close, the years of no maintenance, water and freeze are clearly evident.

In the end we may need to replace some of the Monument stones.

During the last renovation in 1999 the soldiers were removed and restored. As far as we can tell this is the only repair now needed to the Figures.

Since water, snow and freezing are the main problem the County installed 5 highway dividers several years ago to protect the monument base. Having little effect we have removed them. The last phase of the repair project is to remove the step wall and patio and replace it with a Brick Wall. The wall will set about a foot from the Monument allowing for drainage with a sidewalk extended to meet the current city sidewalk.

What is going today in the area of Fund Raising?  Austin Bowers of Lena with general donations.  Ron Werntz with the Adopt-A-Soldier program.  Jim Stadermann with the return Victory program.

What are the Monument Funds plans for the Monument?  There is an 8 step program structured based on cost beginning with the base. As funds become available repairs will be completed.  Replace the step wall at the base with a new Brick Wall to match the South Courthouse Wall.  Recreate “Victory” and return her to the Soldiers Monument.

What can you do to help with this project? Money, Money, Money and tell your friends we need there Money too. The total fund raising goal is $160,000. Donations can be made at the Citizens State Bank in Freeport, Lena, and Stockton or by mail to: Civil War Monument Fund 1070 N. Canyon Dr. Freeport, IL 61032

The Civil War Monument Fund can now be found on the internet at This web sight is designed to provide the public a complete understanding of the objectives and status of the Civil War Monument Fund’s activities. If you click on “Who is the Civil War Monument Fund” it will take you to the funds statement of objectives and plan. In addition at the bottom left you can click on an “Accounting Review”.

Proposed Wall to protect the base of the monument from snow and ice.

Review replacing steps with handicapped ramp.

Civil War Monument Fund