The Governor Bond State Memorial marks the grave of Shadrach Bond, the first governor of Illinois after it attained statehood in 1818. Bond was born in Maryland and settled in Monroe County, Illinois in 1794. He served in several territorial positions and as an Illinois Territory delegate to the United States House of Representatives from 1812 to 1814. During his term as governor, the State Bank of Illinois was chartered and the capital was moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. The obelisk-style monument was erected in 1883.