Unique Sites

ASC Memorial Sculpture (Ruma)
A statue in front of the convent of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ honors the five sisters martyred in Liberia, West Africa in 1992. The martyrs are buried in the convent cemetery.
2 Pioneer Lane | Ruma, IL
618-282-6229

Bosshard Monument (Highland)
The monument is a tribute to Swiss poet Heinrich Bosshard, who wrote Semparcherlied here in the 1850's.
Lindendale Park | Highland, IL
618-654-3721

Centralia Carillon (Centralia)
The 65 bell instrument rings out three times a week and for sepcial events. The park also features a museum and tours of the 165 ft. tower.
114 North Elm Street | Centralia, IL
618-533-4381

Cholera Cross (Breese)
The original wooden cross was erected in 1850 by a farmer in thanksgiving for his family being spared during a cholera epidemic. Subsequent owners of the property have repaired and replaced it.
1 mi. south of Old Hwy 50 on Germantown Road | Breese, IL

Civil War Fort (Germantown)
Visit an exact replica of a Civil War Fort complete with a jail, one room home, livery and log cabins.
Germantown, IL
618-523-4749

Civil War Monument at the Veterans' Memorial (Greenville)
This honors generations of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.
Greenville Chamber of Commerce | Greenville, IL
618-664-9272

Coal Miners Monument (Beckemeyer)
Joseph Koch, who along with eight other local miners died in a mine explosion in 1947, is depicted here.
Louis St. by American Legion | Beckemeyer, IL
618-227-8331

Garrison Hill Cemetery (Ellis Grove)
This cemetery was created when graves were moved from Kaskaskia Island to Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in the 1890s after a flood. According to one account 3,000 boxes were moved, some containing entire families.
4372 Park Road | Ellis Grove, IL
618-859-3741

Gateway Geyser
The nation's tallest fountain is across from the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi riverfront. The Geyser goes off at noon and 1pm daily for 15 min. It's visible from the Casino Queen, MetroLink and the bridges.
IL

General Dean Suspension Bridge (Carlyle)
Built in 1859, the bridge is named in honor of William F. Dean, a Korean War hero.
visit website
1st Street, east side | Carlyle, IL
618-594-2468

Governor Shadrach Bond State Memorial (Chester)
Notably, this is the burial site of the first Governor of Illinois and of U.S. Senator Elias Kent Kane, Illinois' first Secretary of State and architect of the state constitution.
Evergreen Cemetery, IL-3 north of downtown Chester | Chester, IL
618-826-2721

Krause Elk Farm (Evansville)
Tours are available of this unusual farm.
8311 St. Leo's Rd. | Evansville, IL 62242
618-282-3789

Lincoln Marker (Vandalia)
On a large natural stone in the Park, you can see the trail reported to have been used by Abraham Lincoln and others as they traveled between Vandalia and Springfield, IL in the early 1800's. The Lincoln Trail is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Rogier Park | Vandalia, IL
618-283-2728

Lock and Dam 27 (Granite City)
Locks 26 and 27 are the largest locks in the inland waterway system. Lock 26 in Alton has a visitor's center with river displays. Lock 27 located in Granite City is the only lock on the 8.4 mile, man made canal and is the most southerly located.
Granite City, IL
618-876-6400

Looking for Lincoln Storyboards (Vandalia)
Ten storyboards depicting Abraham Lincoln's early years as a legislator are installed around Vandalia. Find out about his early romance with Mary Owens, his first protest against slavery and many other little-known historical facts.
visit website
Vandalia, IL
618-283-2728

Madonna of the Trail (Vandalia)
This is one of 12 statues in the U.S. which honors the pioneer women who traveled along the National Road.
Statehouse grounds, 315 W. Gallatin | Vandalia, IL
618-283-1161

Mary's River Covered Bridge (Chester)
Built in 1854 as part of a planked toll road between Bremen and Chester, it has been restored recently.
IL Rte 150E east of Chester | Chester, IL
618-826-5000, ext 221

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville)
There are 200 beautifully landscaped acres of gardens, devotional areas, an Outdoor Amphitheatre, the Shrine Church, the Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, the Millennium Spire, Visitors Center with a restaurant & gift shop and the Shrine Hotel.
visit website
442 South De Mazenod Drive | Belleville, IL
618-397-6700

O'Fallon Veterans' Monument (O'Fallon)
Visit the beautiful 15 pillar star-shaped monument. Lovely during the day and especially moving when illuminated at night.
Wesley Dr. | O'Fallon, IL
618-632-3204 | info@ofallonveteransmonument.org

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison)
This bridge is one of the world's longest pedestrian/bicycle bridges and offers commanding views of the Mississippi River and a great perch for American Eagle watching. Years ago this bridge became very popular as the Route 66 bridge with a 45 degree right curve in the middle.
Madison, IL
618-451-4838

Richard Pollard's Yard Art (Salem)
Take a self-guided tour anytime through the unusual artwork made from "found" objects. Don't miss the giant ladybug, crashed airplane, bumper crop of bumpers and much more!
1870 Broadway | Salem, IL
618-548-1830

Ripson Bridge (Sorento)
Located north of Greenville in Sorento, this covered bridge holds festivals every year that draw thousands of visitors.
Sorento, IL 618-664-9272

Roadside Chapel (Nashville)
This small treasure located in Nashville standing on stilts.
I-64 at IL 127, Nashville Chamber of Commerce | Nashville, IL
618-327-3700

Tribute to Farmers Monument (Vandalia)
This impressive, black granite piece located on the grounds of Vandalia's Tourist Information Center is a tribute to prairie farmers.
1408 North Fifth Street | Vandalia, IL
618-283-2728

World's Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville)
Looming over Collinsville, this is an internationally know roadside attraction.
Hwy 159 | Collinsville, IL
618-346-5200, ext 140