Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial

The Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial houses a 140-pound bronze bell manufactured in France and displayed in a brick building erected in 1948. The bell sits behind protective glass and can be viewed through a button-press system.

French King Louis XV presented the bell in 1741 to the Catholic Church of New France, where it later rang to mark American independence. It represents a direct link between French support and revolutionary America.

The memorial displays murals that show key moments in the town's development and is still used during Independence Day celebrations today. Visitors can see these artworks and understand which events shaped the community.

The site is accessible from sunrise to sunset and can be viewed by pressing a green button. There is also a white doorbell to hear an audio recording about its history.

Major floods in the 1970s and 1990s damaged the bell and created a crack similar to Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. This damage prevents it from ever being rung again.

Location: Illinois

GPS coordinates: 37.92270,-89.91470

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44