Rededication ceremony at Camp Kane Saturday

The Camp Kane Heritage Foundation invites the community to a special ceremony celebrating the move of the historic Jones Law Office and rededication of its new site, the lower portion of Langum Park along Route 25, as "Camp Kane."

The rededication ceremony will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the park, 999 S. Seventh Ave. in St. Charles.

Activities will include a Civil War-era encampment with actors portraying President Abraham Lincoln and General John Farnsworth, ceremonies led by St. Charles Mayor Raymond Rogina, and a pizza/ice cream social.

The event is sponsored by the City of St. Charles and managed by the Camp Kane Heritage Foundation, in partnership with Elias Kent Kane Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

"This event celebrates the significant role St. Charles' citizens played in the Civil War. There is a rich history of volunteerism and civic involvement in our town, which is evident to this day," Rogina said. "Be sure to come on out and watch that history 'come alive' on Sept. 20."

History of Camp Kane

The tract of land along Route 25 was chosen because it once served as training grounds for Civil War soldiers in the 8th and the 17th regiments of the Illinois Volunteer Cavalry under the direction of Colonel John Farnsworth. Farnsworth was a U. S. Congressman, strong abolitionist, St. Charles resident and close confidante of President Lincoln. The 8th Regiment of Illinois Cavalry participated in most major battles of the Civil War and is credited with firing the first shot at Gettysburg. They also served as Honor Guard for President Lincoln as he laid in repose in the rotunda and accompanied the President's funeral train back to Illinois.

The city moved the historic Jones Law Office building from 304 Cedar Ave. to its new location in Langum Park last month. The structure served as the law office of Steven Sandborn Jones, who is credited with proposing the town change its name from its original Charleston to St. Charles after he learned another Illinois town already had the Charleston name.

During the Civil War, the small law office building served as a holding cell for deserting soldiers. Evidence of the soldiers' presence is still apparent in the graffiti they left behind.

For more information about the event or the Camp Kane Heritage Foundation, contact the Foundation at campkaneheritage@gmail.com or (630) 546-1390.