Since 1900, the ferris wheel has been manufactured only by Eli Bridge Company in
Jacksonville, IL and to date is the oldest firm in the country making ferris wheels as a
stock item. The ferris wheel ornament, first in a series, depicts one of the many
historical landmarks in Jacksonville. |
The second ornament in a series, the bandstand constructed in 1878-1879 is located in
the Jacksonville Community Park. It is a replica of an identical mate of the one the city of
Jacksonville, IL donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. |
The third ornament in a series, Sturtevant Hall, built in 1857, is a landmark at Illinois College.
Illinois College is one of the oldest colleges west of the Alleghenies. Illinois College
granted the first degrees in the State of Illinois in 1835. |
The fourth ornament in a series, the Jacksonville Public Library begun in 1870 as a subscription
library. Andrew Carnegie gave $40,000 to the City of Jacksonville to construct a public library. In
1903, the present Beaux Arts style library was built of Cleveland sandstone and terra cotta roof. |
The fifth ornament in a series, the construction of Annie Merner Chapel, a Georgian architecture
building at MacMurray College, was completed in 1949 as the College's Centennial project by
donated money from Mrs. Henry (Annie Merner) Pfeiffer. Of interest, the front doors of the Henry
Pfeiffer Library and Annie Merner Chapel are exactly in line with each other.
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The sixth ornament in a series, the Courthouse is named after General Daniel Morgan.
This is the third courthouse, but the one Steven A. Douglas served as States Attorney
and Abraham Lincoln as an attorney. The courthouse is a model of simplicity and
strength, but reflects the French Renaissance style in its dormer windows, twin
towers, arched and rounded windows, and the pillared and arched front entrance. The
courthouse is over 128 years old and continues to serve majestically as the center
of Jacksonville’s legal system.
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The seventh ornament in a series, Woodlawn Farm, in the mid 1800’s, was one of the
homes in the Jacksonville area as part of the hub for the Underground Railroad,
sheltering hundreds who wished to escape the horrors of slavery. Several other
local historic homes also served as havens on this journey to freedom, making
Jacksonville one of the first such stations in the area and by far the busiest.
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The eighth ornament in a series, the Duncan Mansion became the home of Joseph Duncan,
Governor from 1834 -1838. Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited education, but
possessed a clear judgment, decision, and confidence in himself to carry out his
convictions of right. He served as a member on the Board of Trustees of Illinois
College and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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