Memorial Site Listing
Check out the 25 memorial sites we've chosen to highlight below. You will receive a passport stamp each time you log a visit to any one of the sites. Please let us know if there are any you find that are not listed! Find and visit them using the custom Veteran Memorial Site Google map.
Here are some additional resources about various memorial sites around Rockford and Illinois.
- Nuggets of History
A booklet detailing history of various Rockford veteran memorials. ©1996 - Illinois Military Museums & Veteran Memorials
A booklet detailing history of various Illinois veteran memorials. ©2019
1. Soldiers and Sailors Monument - Durand
The village of Durand celebrated the monument's 100th Anniversary in September honoring veterans from Durand who have lost their lives in battle throughout the past 200 years.
Parking available around monument on N. Center St.
2. All Veterans Memorial Park Of Stephenson County - Freeport
The mission of the All Veterans Memorial Park is to honor and remember all the veterans of Stephenson County who have honorably served in the United States armed services by placing a memorial on designated, sacred ground in Stephenson County.
Plenty of parking on site, but shared with Freeport Soccer Club.
3. Field of Honor Veterans Memorial - Loves Park
Formally Anderson Peace Park Memorials. The park includes the Korean War Memorial and the Field of Honor, which has five vertical monuments in recognition of those who served in the five wars of the 20th century: World War I, World War II, the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. There is also the American Gold Star Mothers monument for those who lost a son or daughter through military service.
Only 2 parking spots available in roundabout. Overflow parking may park in City of Loves Park parking lot if available.
4. Rockford Veteran's Memorial Circle - Rockford
On each of the four wing walls of Veterans Memorial Circle is a plaque honoring the military history of Rockford and Winnebago County. Starting with the plaque at the northeastern quadrant of the roundabout and going clockwise, they cover eras of military history from the Revolutionary War to the operations since 1992.
There is NO parking adjacent to the memorial or plaques. Great opportunity to get those steps in, patronize the local restaurants nearby (if reopened), or visit the Greenwood Cemetery (Memorial Site #5) and use the nearby walking path.
5. Greenwood Cemetery and Chapel - Rockford
Founded in 1845 Greenwood Cemetery (previously known as West Rockford Cemetery until 1921) was the fourth cemetery dedicated in Rockford and the oldest remaining. Veterans of every war (except the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan) are interred in Greenwood Cemetery, including one Revolutionary War veteran and 529 Civil War veterans. If visiting, please be respectful and contact for an appointment to learn more about this cemetery's rich history.
Office Hours: are Monday through Friday 8:30am- 4:30pm (Lunch 12pm-1pm)
Office Phone: 815.962.7522
Email: greenwoodcemetery@Sbcglobal.net
6. Camp Fuller Stone - Rockford
Established in 1862, Camp Fuller trained four regiments, and each left for battle during the fall. After the last regiment left in November, Camp Fuller was torn down and its lumber auctioned. Nothing from the camp was left by January 30th, 1863. Today, the stone and plaque sit at the corner of Post and Ellsworth although there is contention on whether or not this is an accurate location for the camp entrance.
- Rockford Public Library History on Camp Fuller
- Rockford Public Library History on Camp Fuller
- Midway Village Museum Collection of Camp Fuller
- Woman Soldiers of Camp Fuller
- John A. Logan Camp #26 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Website
Stone is in the center of a road in a residential area, so please be mindful when parking on the street and observing this monument.
7. Civil War Soldier - Rockford
This monument was dedicated in 1887 and used to stand at the entrance of the former Winnebago County Courthouse. It has also stood outside the Public Safety Building and in storage at the Winnebago County Highway Department before it was moved to North Main and Auburn streets near Greenwood Cemetery in 1984. A plaque was added in 1984 that reads: “His name and side he fought for are forgotten, but his sacrifice is honored by all his countrymen.” Now it confidently sits on the East entrance to Veterans Memorial Hall.
Parking lot available at the Veterans Memorial Hall and limited parking along Main Street.
8. Victory Sculpture - Rockford
This Gene Horvath sculpture on the corner of N. Main and Mulberry St. was dedicated May 30, 1994, with funds from the Veterans’ War Memorial Fund established through the sale of Camp Grant land at the end of World War II. The memorial consists of six bronze figures of men and women representing a variety of ethnic groups and all branches of the armed services from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. The figures stand in an incline base that forms an abstract "V" for victory.
Parking lot available at the Veterans Memorial Hall and limited parking along Main Street.
9. Veterans Memorial Hall - Rockford
Veterans Memorial Hall opened on June 3, 1903, and is the oldest museum in Winnebago County. President Theodore Roosevelt presided over the celebration stating “No more fitting memorial could be erected to the men who fought, than a hall such as this ... a hall beautiful because of the uses to which it is consecrated,” are inscribed on a stone marker in front of the hall facing North Main Street.
Parking lot available and limited street parking along Main Street.
10. Navy Anchor Monument - Rockford
This slate gray anchor retired Cruiser U. S. S. Tuscaloosa CA37 sits at Beattie Park since 1966 as a dedication to the memory of Winnebago County veterans who have honorably served in the U.S. Navy. The Navy Club of Rockford is responsible for the memorial.
Limited parking around Beattie Park.
11. Elizabeth "Libby" Gardner Mural - Rockford
Mural of a 1943 photograph of Libby Gardner, a WWII WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot) and Rockford native painted in 2019.
Street parking available along E. State Street or across street in Rockford City Market parking lot.
12. Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza - Rockford
Forty Eight Flags, Sixty Eight Languages, Ten Prophets of Peace, Two Hemispheres, One World, the Keeling has been celebrating the rich and diverse ethnic history of the Rock River Valley region and the universal aspiration for tranquility and world harmony since 2002.
Parking lot on east side of memorial.
13. Midway Village Museum - Rockford
Organized in 1968 by the Swedish, Harlem and Rockford Historical Societies for the purpose of collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of the Rockford area, Midway Village Museum is home to over 150,000 objects, 148 acres and countless stories. Visit for a walk, a glance or simply peruse some collections on their blog linked below.
- Visit Midway Village Museum
- Donate to Midway Village Museum
- Midway Village Museum Collections
- Midway Village Museum Facebook Page
Parking lot available at the main entrance.
14. LZ Peace Memorial - Rockford
Located just West of Midway Village, the memorial features the names of more than 75 Winnebago County men who died in Vietnam or as a result of Vietnam War injuries.
- LZ Peace Memorial Website
- LZ Peace Memorial Facebook Page
- Midway Village History about LZ Peace Memorial & Map
Parking lot available off of Guilford road or at Midway Village Museum. Memorial is about a 1/4 mile west on the paved walking path. See map on Midway Village link above.
15. Field of Blue Boone County Memorial Garden - Belvidere
This memorial sits at the west end of Henry Luckow Lane, outside the Keen Age Center. The garden’s dedication coincided with the grand opening of the $1.8 million Keen Age Center in 2001. It honors area men and women who served in the armed forces as well as those who have dedicated their lives to helping the Belvidere community. “This garden will stand so that there will always be a place to remember those whom we have lost,” said Jack Wolf, who donated the land on which the Keen Age Center was built, during the dedication ceremony. The arched entrance features two plaques, one with the names of about 100 military personnel. A citizen’s memorial rests underneath the arch part of the garden’s entrance. If you bring your dog, snap a photo with the Old Man & Dog statue in front of the Keen Age Center before you leave.
Curbside parking around cul-de-sac.
16. Memorial to the Soldiers and Sailors of Boone County - Belvidere
Belvidere’s tallest and oldest sculpture rests in Big Thunder Park, across the street from the Boone County Courthouse. Its foundation is chiseled with “1910,” marking Oct. 15, 1910, as the date the statue was officially unveiled. According to the Boone County Arts Council, the statue stands 55 to 60 feet tall.
Free street parking available around park.
17. For Valor WWII Memorial Statue - Belvidere
Statue dedicated to all Belvidere, Illinois soldiers who died in World War II. Located in beautiful Belvidere Park where you can also get your miles in for the 11.11 mile challenge!
Minimal parking in Belvidere Park District parking lot. We suggest parking anywhere around Belvidere Park and enjoying the scenic walking path to this memorial.
18. Camp Grant Museum - Rockford
We were sad to discover one of the last remaining structures from Camp Grant, the Camp Grant restaurant and museum went on the market for $149,000 in August, 2020. Help save this iconic structure by helping Midway Village collect artifacts going up for auction Nov 1st!
- Museum Auction Website
- Midway Village Seeking Help Collecting Artifacts
- RRStar Article about Museum Sale
19. Atwood Park (Former Camp Grant Artillery Range) - Rockford
Get your steps in while walking through history at Atwood Park, formally Camp Grant Artillery Range. Operating from 1917 to 1946, Camp Grant was a U.S. Army facility named in honor of American Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant and covered over 5,600 acres during World War I and 3,200 acres during World War II. Another great location to get your miles in for the 11.11 mile challenge!
See link to map above. Parking available at Atwood park, but most sites require hiking or walking in to access.
20. Kirkland Veterans Memorial - Kirkland
Dedicated in 1995. Witness the eternal flame honoring Northern Illinois veterans of the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and other conflicts. Open daily – sunrise to sunset.
Free street parking available around Franklin Township Park.
21. Veterans Memorial - Davis Junction
Dedicated in 2014, this 7-ton marble memorial includes the names of over 230 men and women that enlisted or served on active duty while residing in the 61020 zip code.
Parking lot available in Davis Junction Park.
22. Stillman's Defeat Memorial Site - Stillman Valley
Honoring both victory and defeat, learn about the first battle of the Black Hawk War in 1832 named for the panicked retreat by Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia.
Some street parking available along western border of memorial park.
23. Civil War Soldier's Monument - Byron
Witness Illinois’ oldest Civil War monument built in 1866 at a cost of $1,400.00.
Memorial is in the center of a roundabout entering a residential area, so please be mindful when parking on the street and observing this monument.
24. The Soldiers' Monument - Oregon
Walk around the Ogle County Courthouse to witness the Soldier's Monument dedicated in 1916 and the Fallen Soldier's Memorial dedicated almost 100 years later in 2015.
Ample street parking around courthouse.
25. Memorial Park - Dekalb
Dedicated in 1921 to WWI veterans. Stroll around the original clock and learn about Donna, a 28,500-pound STUART M5 tank dedicated in 1949.
No designated parking lot. Metered parking available on cross streets.
