Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois
rivers, and stretching out for approximately two miles along the Illinois River,
is the picturesque river town of Grafton. Founded in 1832 by James Mason,
Grafton is the oldest town in Jersey County. Described as a "post office,
one store, one tavern, and a number of families" in 1834, the area was
being settled as early as 1812 when a blockhouse was built at the confluence for
protection.
Grafton’s population reached its peak at approximately
10,000 in the 1850's with employment opportunities coming from the local stone
quarries, boat building and commercial fishing. The local limestone was used to
build the Eads Bridge in St. Louis, the railroad bridge in Hannibal, and a
bridge in Quincy. The Shafer’s Wharf Historic District was one of the largest
commercial fishing centers along the Mississippi River in the late 1800's. Live
fish were held in large natural pens until they were purchased, after which they
were cleaned, salted, packed, and shipped. The Old Boatworks, located south of
Main Street, once housed a paint house and a machine shop where paddle wheelers
and later PT boats were built. Nationally known Frieman Skiffs were built here
between 1850 and 1920. Today, the Old Boatworks hosts many antique and craft
stalls and is open on the fourth weekend of each month from May through October.
Grafton’s main industry today is tourism. The
town is at the center of the region’s
Bald
Eagle watching area and proudly calls itself "The Winter Home
of The Bald Eagle." Main Street is lined with restaurants, antique
and craft shops, wine shops, and other attractions, which makes
Grafton a popular stopping place for riders on the
Sam
Vadalabene Bike Trail or visitors in search of
fall color and Bald Eagles.
During the warmer months visitors can take advantage of the two rivers
with boating, canoeing and parasailing opportunities. There are 4
river
ferries in the Grafton region that provide transportation to
Missouri and Calhoun County. Five miles west of Grafton is
Pere
Marquette State Park, which is Illinois' largest and most popular
state park.
If you plan an extended stay, you can find lodging at the
area’s hotels, Pere Marquette State Park’s Lodge, or in a variety of Bed and
Breakfast establishments. The town sponsors festivals and events in all seasons,
such as the Great Rivers Towboat Festival and the
Two
Rivers Family Fishing Fair, which makes Grafton an interesting place to
visit any time of the year.
GPS
Coordinates
N 38 58.180
W 90 26.112
