If you are a history buff, why not check out an Illinois town with a lot of history? You’ll be entertained AND learn something. Sound cool? Well, then head to 8 of these historic Illinois towns.
- Bishop Hill
Roger W/Flickr Founded in 1846 by Swedish immigrants partial to the Pietist movement, Bishop Hill still retains its history. You can learn a ton by visiting the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, which includes four buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Galena
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr A quaint river town in Jo Daviess County, Galena was the site of the first mineral rush in the country. It was also the home of former president Ulysses S. Grant. History buffs flock here from all over.
- Arthur
Tripp/Flickr Arthur is home to the oldest Illinois Amish community, founded in the 1860s. While the town has developed since then, you definitely still get a hint of what things were like, and it is a step back in time.
- Maeystown
Chris Yunker/Flickr Maeystown has helped preserve what a 19th century German village looked like. Pictureque landscape surrounds the town, and you’ll definitely want to head here to experience Oktoberfest.
- Springfield
Matt Turner/Flickr Springfield holds tons of political history, and there are several markers noting important events. While you’re there, head to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
- Nauvoo
Ken Lund/Flickr The Mormons, led by Joseph Smith, renamed the town Commerce as Nauvoo (an anglicized version of Hebrew translating to “How beautiful the mountains…”). Come here to see many historic buildings, a large beautiful temple, and tons of reenactments.
- Petersburg
Matt Turner/Flickr Petersburg is where Abraham Lincoln first settled when he came to Illinois. That is reason enough to visit.
- Cahokia Mounds
Steve Moses/Flickr Talk about a throwback. Cahokia Mounds, in Collinsville, was actually at its height way back in the 13th century. It was the most sophisticated pre-Columbian community north of Mexico.
Do you live in an Illinois town full of history?
Roger W/Flickr
Founded in 1846 by Swedish immigrants partial to the Pietist movement, Bishop Hill still retains its history. You can learn a ton by visiting the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, which includes four buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
A quaint river town in Jo Daviess County, Galena was the site of the first mineral rush in the country. It was also the home of former president Ulysses S. Grant. History buffs flock here from all over.
Tripp/Flickr
Arthur is home to the oldest Illinois Amish community, founded in the 1860s. While the town has developed since then, you definitely still get a hint of what things were like, and it is a step back in time.
Chris Yunker/Flickr
Maeystown has helped preserve what a 19th century German village looked like. Pictureque landscape surrounds the town, and you’ll definitely want to head here to experience Oktoberfest.
Matt Turner/Flickr
Springfield holds tons of political history, and there are several markers noting important events. While you’re there, head to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Ken Lund/Flickr
The Mormons, led by Joseph Smith, renamed the town Commerce as Nauvoo (an anglicized version of Hebrew translating to “How beautiful the mountains…”). Come here to see many historic buildings, a large beautiful temple, and tons of reenactments.
Petersburg is where Abraham Lincoln first settled when he came to Illinois. That is reason enough to visit.
Steve Moses/Flickr
Talk about a throwback. Cahokia Mounds, in Collinsville, was actually at its height way back in the 13th century. It was the most sophisticated pre-Columbian community north of Mexico.
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