- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Alto Pass Today
By the People, for the People
Bald Knob Cross Awarded Grant for Top of the Cross Experience
New interior lift will allow visitors to access the observation deck atop the 111-foot monument.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:57pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The new Top of the Cross Experience at Bald Knob Cross will provide visitors with unprecedented access to the monument's panoramic views, fulfilling a long-standing request and boosting tourism to the popular landmark.Alto Pass TodayBald Knob Cross, a landmark in Alto Pass, Illinois, has been awarded a $200,000 matching tourism grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The grant will fund the construction of an interior lift that will carry visitors to the top of the 111-foot cross, allowing them to access an enclosed observation deck and enjoy panoramic views.
Why it matters
This project fulfills a long-standing request from visitors to Bald Knob Cross and aligns with the founders' original vision for the monument. The new Top of the Cross Experience is expected to boost tourism and visitation to the popular landmark.
The details
The total construction cost for the new interior lift and observation deck is just over $500,000. Construction is set to begin soon on the wheelchair-accessible tram system that will transport visitors to the top of the cross.
- Bald Knob Cross was awarded the $200,000 matching grant in April 2026.
- Construction on the Top of the Cross Experience is scheduled to begin in the near future.
The players
Bald Knob Cross
A 111-foot tall cross monument located in Alto Pass, Illinois, which has been a popular tourist attraction for decades.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
The state agency that awarded the $200,000 matching tourism grant to Bald Knob Cross to fund the new Top of the Cross Experience.
What’s next
With the grant funding secured, Bald Knob Cross will move forward with construction on the new interior lift and observation deck, with the goal of opening the Top of the Cross Experience to visitors in the near future.
The takeaway
The new Top of the Cross Experience at Bald Knob Cross will provide visitors with unprecedented access to the monument's panoramic views, fulfilling a long-standing request and aligning with the founders' original vision. This project is expected to boost tourism and visitation to the popular landmark in Alto Pass, Illinois.
