Certified Illinois Expert
@mrillinois.bsky.social
Expert in Illinois counties. Acting State Symbologist (self-appointed). Libraries, Lincoln, nature, architecture, transit. Book my library programs & get my newsletter at johnkokoris.com!
Four more windows from the lovely Pere Marquette gallery at SLU. Can’t quite figure out why these four specifically were chosen for the honor
November 22, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Four more windows from the lovely Pere Marquette gallery at SLU. Can’t quite figure out why these four specifically were chosen for the honor
Immanuel Hall in Hinsdale
November 22, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Immanuel Hall in Hinsdale
Gotta love a business named after a pun. This is in Alton.
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Gotta love a business named after a pun. This is in Alton.
Masonic Temple in Alton IL
November 20, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Masonic Temple in Alton IL
From Courtroom to Capitol is now available to stream at its full 18 min length. What do we think of their younger Abe actor. Fourth pic here he is rolling into town with his boys Judge Davis and Ward Hill Lamon, rarely depicted on film. Great work!
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 AM
From Courtroom to Capitol is now available to stream at its full 18 min length. What do we think of their younger Abe actor. Fourth pic here he is rolling into town with his boys Judge Davis and Ward Hill Lamon, rarely depicted on film. Great work!
Masonic Lodge in Auburn IL
November 20, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Masonic Lodge in Auburn IL
Look at this very cool bell tower in Alton. Church dates back to 1855(!) and “space age” steeples are from 1950. Sts Peter and Paul, onetime cathedral for the southern half of Illinois
November 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Look at this very cool bell tower in Alton. Church dates back to 1855(!) and “space age” steeples are from 1950. Sts Peter and Paul, onetime cathedral for the southern half of Illinois
More from Lincoln’s tomb
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
More from Lincoln’s tomb
Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, final resting place of President Lincoln.
November 18, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, final resting place of President Lincoln.
The Elijah Lovejoy Memorial in Alton, I believe the second-tallest monument in the state. Lovejoy, a minister & publisher, was killed while defending his abolitionist newspaper against a pro-slavery mob. He’s considered America’s first martyred journalist. A few more pics below.
November 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The Elijah Lovejoy Memorial in Alton, I believe the second-tallest monument in the state. Lovejoy, a minister & publisher, was killed while defending his abolitionist newspaper against a pro-slavery mob. He’s considered America’s first martyred journalist. A few more pics below.
St Ita in Chicago. Check out that ladder!
November 17, 2025 at 1:12 AM
St Ita in Chicago. Check out that ladder!
Foster Ave. Beach
November 16, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Foster Ave. Beach
The interior of Christ Church Cathedral, the beautiful home to the oldest Episcopal congregation west of the Mississippi and I am told a robust social justice program.
November 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The interior of Christ Church Cathedral, the beautiful home to the oldest Episcopal congregation west of the Mississippi and I am told a robust social justice program.
The 160-ton reredos, quarried and carved in England, at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. There are 51 figures in here!
November 16, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The 160-ton reredos, quarried and carved in England, at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. There are 51 figures in here!
A small thread starring the glorious ceilings of St. Louis Public Library’s main branch
November 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
A small thread starring the glorious ceilings of St. Louis Public Library’s main branch
Over the fireplace: “Vita hominis sine litteris mors est, something like “life without books is death.” (The library at the Cupples house in St. Louis.)
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Over the fireplace: “Vita hominis sine litteris mors est, something like “life without books is death.” (The library at the Cupples house in St. Louis.)
More of the beautiful Romanesque Cupples House at SLU
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
More of the beautiful Romanesque Cupples House at SLU
Mythical/celestial stained glass window at the Cupples House in St. Louis.
November 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Mythical/celestial stained glass window at the Cupples House in St. Louis.
my Gooey Butter Cake and a cute little house on the Hill in STL
November 15, 2025 at 2:05 AM
my Gooey Butter Cake and a cute little house on the Hill in STL
More from the very cool Pere Marquette Gallery, which used to be SLU’s library. Gotta bring back these corkscrew spiral staircases in libraries
November 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
More from the very cool Pere Marquette Gallery, which used to be SLU’s library. Gotta bring back these corkscrew spiral staircases in libraries
Sorry but if you are an old library with an “Illinois room,” I am going to be in love with you
November 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Sorry but if you are an old library with an “Illinois room,” I am going to be in love with you
Old St. Joseph/St. Clare Hospital in Alton, a beautiful late art deco behemoth from 1937
November 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Old St. Joseph/St. Clare Hospital in Alton, a beautiful late art deco behemoth from 1937