Built in 1866 by a successful German immigrant, the St. Clair County Historical Society has furnished this Victorian Greek Revival house in the manner of a typical upper class Victorian family. On display are 19th century furnishings by local craftsmen, changing displays of vintage clothing, quilts, and other artifacts from St. Clair County.
Read moreWilliam and Florence Schmidt Art Center
The William and Florence Schmidt Art Center and Gallery is a privately funded art gallery consisting of a permanent and teaching art collection more than 400 pieces of sculptures, paintings, photographs, lithographs and monographs from renowned artists. The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery regularly features special exhibitions.
Read moreSt. Peter's Cathedral
Completed in 1866, St. Peter’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the state of Illinois and is modeled after the Cathedral of Exeter, England and its English Gothic style of architecture, which utilizes high, pointed arches aiming towards heaven. Prominent features of the Cathedral include sculpture and stained glass, the north nave and baptistery, the Marian Shrine, the south nave, and the sanctuary area.
Read moreMartin-Boismenue House
Built in the late 18th century the Martin-Boismenue House, this French colonial style home has two large rooms on the first floor, a basement cooking area, an attic, and two broad open porches on the front and back, known as galleries. The building and period furnishings provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of local villagers at the time of Lewis and Clark.
Read moreEmma Kunz House
The Emma Kunz House, built in 1830, is the oldest Greek Revival brick home in Illinois. This classic example of an ethnic German "Street House" is now a museum and is completely furnished to illustrate the hardships of early settlers.
Read moreJarrot Mansion
The Jarrot Mansion is a two-story brick house built by entrepreneur Nicholas Jarrot in 1810 is considered to be the oldest brick building in Illinois. The interior of the mansion has been preserved to reflect the early 19th century period and is being continually being refurbished and maintained by the Cahokia Historical Commission.
Read moreHoly Family Parish Log Church
This functioning Catholic Church is the second church to occupy the site since 1699. The present building was completed in 1799 and is an example of the dominant French colonial post-on-sill vertical timber style of construction. Given the importance of the church to the community it is probable that Lewis and Clark visited, worshiped, or attended community gatherings at this church.
Read moreCahokia Courthouse
Originally built about 1740 as a private residence, the Cahokia Courthouse is an excellent example of early French log construction known as poteaux-sur-solle, (post-on-sill foundation.) In 1790 the building became the administrative and judicial center for St. Clair County. The courthouse was reconstructed in 1940 and now serves as a museum illustrating French Colonial life and the Lewis and Clark era.
Read moreThe Labor & Industry Museum
Devoted to the history of the labor and industry of Belleville and southwestern Illinois, the Museum chronicles the region’s contribution in the late 19th century. Located in the Conrad Bornman House on historic Church Street, the building, which has undergone an extensive renovation, houses permanent and special exhibition galleries, as well as an educational center and archives.
Read moreStone Bridges Tour
The landscape of Monroe County is dotted with a number of European-style stone arch bridges. greatriverroad.com has put together an easy driving tour to see five of these structures. The scenery along this route winds its way through scenic farmlands, colorful forests, through the historic town of Maeystown, and beneath the bluffs along the American Bottom lowlands. This stone bridge route is especially nice during autumn.
Read moreWhite Rock Nature Preserve
White Rock Nature Preserve is home to 306 acres of Illinois' natural habitat. The tract is located within the Hill Prairie Corridor, a 25-mile stretch of ribbons and patches of hill prairie perched on top of the Mississippi River bluffs. White Rock Nature Preserve hosts several rare habitats including loess hill prairie, limestone glades and upland forest.
Read moreThe Maeystown Rock Mill
The Maeystown Preservation Society operates the Rock Mill as a museum on 19th century immigrant life and the history of Maeystown in this old flourmill.
Read morePeterstown House
Peterstown House is a restored 1830s building began as a general store, tavern, and inn for stagecoach travelers on the Kaskaskia Trail. The Peterstown Heritage Society rescued the building from demolition and it is now a museum furnished with antique furniture of the mid-1880s.
Read moreKidd Lake State Natural Area
Kidd Lake State Natural Area is an example of the once expansive wetlands of the Mississippi floodplain known as the American Bottom. Kidd Lake State Natural Area is a primitive area primarily devoted as a home to wildlife. There are no man-made improvements to provide visitors easy access to the area such as trails, parking lots, etc.
Read moreFults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve
Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve sits atop bluffs with an expansive views of the Mississippi River valley. The preserve features upland habitat that includes woodland, prairie and glade communities and has the largest complex of high-quality loess hill prairies in Illinois. The area contains the Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve Trail, a 1.4 mile loop trail.
Read moreTurkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 2,264 acre natural area located south of Chester. The site offers a picnic area and features scenic overlooks. Visitors can hike, observe wildlife and take advantage of 10 miles of horseback trails. Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area is open for fishing and hunting.
Read moreRandolph County Conservation Area
The Randolph County Conservation Area is located 5 miles northeast of Chester in the rolling hill country of southern Illinois this 1,101-acre area has a 65-acre lake and offers fishing and hunting opportunities, picnicking, and hiking trails through scenic forest stands.
Read morePopeye Statue
This 6 foot statue of Popeye, the famous cartoon character created by Chester native Elzie C. Segar, can be found at near the Welcome Center at Elzie C. Segar at the foot of the Chester Bridge crossing the Mississippi River.
Read moreModoc Rock Shelter
The Modoc Rock Sheleter is a State Historical Site. This overhang under a cliff has been used by Native Americans for nearly 9,000 years.
Read moreMisselhorn Art Gallery
Housed in the old GM&O railroad depot are over 2,000 works of the renown Southern Illinois sketch artist Roscoe Misselhorn who many call the Norman Rockwell of the Midwest. Also feature at the Gallery are exhibits by contemporary artists.
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