Governor Coles State Memorial stands at Valley View Cemetery in Edwardsville. Erected in 1929, this monument contains a square bas-relief bronze portrait of Coles, sculpted by Leon Hermant. This commemorates Edward Coles, one of the early settlers who freed his slaves after bringing them from Virginia. In 1819, one year after Illinois gained statehood, Coles issued freedom papers to his slaves and purchased land and homes for them in Pin Oak Township.

Elected as the second governor of Illinois, he served from 1822-1826. Coles led the opposition against efforts to call a constitutional convention to legalize slavery. He is buried in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.