Visit Historic ILASCO, MO
A Hidden Treasure in Hannibal, MO
Take a scenic journey down Great River Road (Highway 79) to a village established in 1903. On the National Register & rich with history, ILASCO is an inviting must-see. Home of the Missouri Statue of Liberty, ILASCO has three of its original buildings still standing, a bridge erected in 1910 & a monument to its countries & people.
Our Story
The Village of ILASCO was created when large numbers of legal immigrants were recruited by the newly built Atlas Portland Cement Plant near Hannibal, MO in 1903.
The 7 flags represent the nationalities that lived here:
Slovakia, Italy, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Croatia
The cement plant employed 2,500 people in the early years and produced cement for the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, Locks & Dams on the Mississippi River, and to the overall growth of this nation. The Company Town was dissolved in 1963.
Ilasco is named for the ingredients used to produce cement:
Iron, Lime, Aluminum, Silica, Carbon , and Oxygen
Residents often worked long hours in dangerous situations for approximately 11 cents an hour. Most did not speak English when they arrived and lived in company housing. They joined the local community to build a better life for themselves and their families focusing on education, freedom and opportunity. The worked hard and were very thankful to live in this great country.
Attractions
Al's Tavern & Falstaff Ghost Sign
Building erected in 1908
Missouri Statue of Liberty
A symbol of our love of America & the first thing our ancestors saw at Ellis Island.
ILASCO Bridge
Erected in 1910
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Erected in 1915 & the only original church still standing in the village.
Old ILASCO Jail
This building housed a lot of people during prohibition.
Buildings of the past Walking Path
See where the schools & gymnasium used to be. A lovely place for a picnic. Grab some sandwiches in downtown Hannibal at Clemens General Store & head this way.
ILASCO Grocery
The original Pepsi Ghost Sign has been revived to its original glory from 1948.