Sophia Demmond - Joliet, IL - Silhouette Public Art Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Nestled against bluffs which were once mined, a set of silhouettes give us a glimpse of life in early 19th century Joliet. This one, depicts a woman with a long dress and a parasol strolling along the bluffs.

There are two placards nearby. The first reads:

"STORIES IN STONE
THE DEMMONDS

THE GRAND OLD LADY OF JOLIET
SOPHIA DEMMOND (1804-1895)

Sophia Murray married
merchant Martin Demmond
in New York in 1831,
and they were among Joliet's
earliest residents when
they arrived in 1834.
The Demmonds build Joliet's
first stone building from
limestone quarried from
these bluffs. They lived on
the third floor, and operated
a general store on the first
floor. Less than fifty people
lived in Joliet during the
winter of 1834-1835.

I&M Canal
PASSAGE"

The second placard reads:

"STORIES IN STONE
THE DEMMONDS

The Demmonds were liberal
supporters of educational
efforts, and they helped fund
the construction of the first
school building in Joliet.
Martin Demmond died in
the cholera epidemic of
1854, and Sophia closed the
store and became a generous
donor to a variety of
philanthropic causes.
She also raised her niece
Catherine, who married
Frederick Bartleson, who
died a hero in the Civil War.
Sophia outlived her husband
by 41 years, dying at the age
of 91 in March 1895.

I&M Canal
PASSAGE"


There is another historical marker near here which also concerns the Demmonds...see WMC1XX

Title of Piece: THE GRAND OLD LADY OF JOLIET Artist: unknown Material/Media: steel plate Location (specific park, transit center, library, etc.): Joliet's Bicentennial Park Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/12/2011 Metro2 visited it