Come see the improvements made of the Civil War Monument Boulder & Grotto, located at the corners
of Old Sutton & Rte 68. Village of Barrington Hills Volunteer Beautification Committee members worked
with members of the New Friends Wesleyan Church to reclaim this historic site over several weeks.
It was dedicated by American Legion Post 158 in 1933, with a plaque naming 88 of the locals who
mustered in to the Union Army on this ground in 1861.
This past July marked the opening battles in a war that lasted 4 years and cost millions of dollars
and tens of thousands of lives.
This area was literally the Center of civilization, in what is now known as Barrington Township, prior to
towns or villages being settled or the railroad being laid. With the Algonquin Trail (now rte 62) running
through our area, important military & government people are reported (recorded in history books & newspapers)
to have come along that trail, stopping at the Stage Post at Barrington Center. General Grant was just one of those;
it is thought that Abe Lincoln himself may have stopped over on his way between his jobs on the Fox & Mississippi
Rivers and Chicago when he was a young man.
We should celebrate the importance of our heritage. If you are a history buff or are interested in the Civil War comejoin us for our restoration projects in 2012.
Contact us at: green@barringtonhills-il.gov or 847-551-3000
