Larger than the cross in Groom Texas that is 190 feet tall…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/largest-cross-in-the-western-hemisphere-groom?hrid=PtUjy_khtTSLjRfFYcssMA on Interstate 40, this is truly the Largest Cross at 195 feet. The land here isn't as flat as it is in Texas, so you don't have 20 miles of driving up to it to have some building Cross tension. This cross is at the intersection of the two major highways, Interstate 70 (between Indianapolis and Saint Louis) and Interstate 57 (between Champaign and Sikeston). It is only visible from the near vicinity and it is accessed through an industrial office park with good signage. At the base of the cross is a gravel parking lot that is big enough for the largest of vehicles. There are plaques for each of the Ten Commandments and a donation box next to the visitor's center. Interesting? Yes. Detour? Maybe not. [Review 19684 overall - 139 in Illinois - 656 of 2023.]

I'm not a religious person but I haven't been this far south in Illinois in many years and I wanted…read moreto do some sightseeing while on my way to Casey. This cross is absolutely beautiful and gigantic though the pictures I've seen at night are more impressive. I've driven through many states and they don't compare this much to the cross. It's free to walk around, there's plenty to read about it's history and observe in it's glory

This is the old Illinois Statehouse where Abe Lincoln served in the legislature. It served as the…read morestatehouse from by 1819-1839. It was constructed in 89 days in a desperate attempt to have the state capital located in Vandalia. There is no admission charge but free will donations are suggested ($4 per person). Well worth the visit. Allow 30-60 minutes.

My cousins from W. Texas were visiting us in Central Illinois, so we ask for a tour of the…read morebeautiful Vandalia Statehouse where President Lincoln literally got his political start. A historian of incredible talent that could make the empty walls come alive gave us a tour we will never forget. The history of the building was riveting. If you are ever able to spend some time ask when a guided tour is available. You'll never forget it. Kids will especially love it.

It was only a matter of time. The Mug Tree was an old tree. Mugs were placed with it and that…read morebrought it alive again in our hearts. Many, many mugs. Travelers along the highway admired that old tree, adorned with mugs. It offered a silent respite in our daily lives. It offered hope, that no matter what pains we carried, there was the Mug Tree. The Mug Tree, which was created out of the generosity of hundreds of people, most likely strangers to each other, but friends with a common goal of taking an old, dead tree along a country highway and giving it purpose, once more. The Mug Tree. A local landmark, never to be recognized as a national monument. Unlike the more famous curiosities just a few miles north in Casey, this oddity stood outside of the door to fame. Yet, to those of us who passed by, it stood for years alongside that country highway, day and night. Like an old trusted friend. So, to those who read these words and never knew the Mug Tree, I am sorry for your loss. And to those thousands of travelers that passed by and noticed, if you grieve, you grieve not alone. Dear Mug Tree: So long, my friend. Thanks for all the smiles you brought to our hearts.

So... It was fun to see this tree in passing on the way to Effingham but I felt like the house on…read moretop could've been utilized for birds or something.

The Two Story Outhouse. I loved being here. I smiled ear to ear the whole time. Such a great way to…read morebring some traffic to the village of Gays. They had a mini replica of the outhouse that had cars and pens inside where you can write where you are from. So fun! I recommend spending time here. It was fun and wholesome.

The major attraction in Gays, this is indeed a Two Story Outhouse. I was unable to prove how it…read moreworks as it was padlocked and secured. You'll just have to use your imagination and that's what makes it even better. A two minute stop in a small town that is a short detour off the Interstate just north of Effingham. Don't miss out. [Review 1282 of 2024 - 209 in Illinois - 22305 overall]

We paid two dollars an hour to park in the lot. We went into the theater to meet our free half an…read morehour guided tour through Lincoln's house. Ranger Nate brought 12 of us through the 12 room house. We went into the parlor, family room, upstairs to the bedrooms, down the back staircase to the kitchen & outside. An entire 4 block neighborhood has been preserved here. At the national Park Service Visitor Center we picked up a ticket to enter his 12 room home. This is the only home Abe & Mary ever owned from 1844 until they moved to the White House in 1861. A remarkable 80% of the home is original. We were told that they moved into a one story home when their first son was born. They added this second floor when they were a family of five. The neighborhoods around Lincoln's home has been preserved . We were able to walk into other people's backyards and inside for more exhibits, just fascinating.

This is a wonderful place to visit especially if you are a Lincoln fan as we are. You can only get…read moretickets day of, but we walked up and got on the next tour (up to 15 per tour). The gift shop is very nice and has lots of goodies. The tour was led by a very knowledgeable guide with the national park service. The house is in immaculate condition and over 50% of the furniture etc is original, which I thought was amazing. So cool to see Lincoln's real chairs, bed, etc. The streets and houses around have been preserved and some are open to self tour. Street parking can be found for free or you can pay $2 and hour at the headquarters. House tours are free.

We followed the signs getting off at the cemetery. We passed different war memorials before finding…read morea lot in front of Lincoln's grave. There were restrooms at the gravesite. Visiting Lincoln's Tomb was free. Pres Lincoln, Mary, & 3 of their sons' remains are here. The Lincoln Tomb was formally dedicated on October 15, 1874, 150-years ago. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources presents "Porch Talks" on the grounds of the Residence at the Lincoln Tomb providing :20 programs about lesser-known facts surrounding this monument. We drove into the cemetery, passing From 1865 to 1901, Lincoln's coffin was moved 17 times due to construction & fears for the safety of the president's remains. There was actually a plot in 1876 to steal his body and hold it for ransom. The coffin itself was opened on five separate occasions. Lincoln Cemetery is a 112 acre historically African American cemetery in Blue Island, with over 16,000 interments. Many famous black musicians, scientists, aviators, athletes ... are also here.

Abraham Lincoln's Tomb is in the Oakridge Cemetery just a short drive from downtown Springfield…read more He's buried there with his wife Mary and his 3 sons. This is his final resting place after his coffin was moved 17 times due to potential grave robbers and construction of this site. The obelisk outside the tomb is 117 ft tall there are several rooms and bronze statues of Lincoln duplicating him at different times of his life. The inside is solid marble! There's even a grave keepers home alongside the grave that appointed custodians lived and watched over his tomb from 1874-2014. Due to state budget issues, the last custodian retired and wasn't replaced.

A bit out of the way but how far is too far out of the way to visit a covered bridge? This one is…read morenorthwest of Cowden and hopefully, Yelp leaves the pin where I have placed it. No longer an active bridge as it's been replaced by a boring concrete bridge with no pizazz or fanciness. There is a marker on the bridge that provides some context and history. It reads, "The road on which this bridge is located was once an important route between Springfield and Effingham. The bridge was completed in the Autumn of 1868 at a cost of $2,500 and named for the owner of the first mill near here. It is the narrowest of all the covered bridges in Illinois, with a width of only 10 feet 7 inches. It is 11 feet 4 inches high and the siding stops before reaching the top cord to allow light to come in under the roof. The Howe Truss system, which the bridge uses, consists of panels in which two members cross one diagonal. The truss of this bridge is 105 feet long. The roof of the bridge protected the truss from the weather." It points out that the marker was erected by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Historical Society in 1972. The north side of the bridge has a parking area that was easy to access. The bridge itself is in fair condition, covered in graffiti and the area is overgrown with weeds. [Review 19685 overall - 140 in Illinois - 657 of 2023.]

Vigo County's Pioneer Village can be found within Fowler Park. Besides driving through the park to…read morevisit, you can use the small parking lot along Bono Road and walk into the park from that entrance which accesses the village and covered bridge. Most of the year, the village is open to browse, but the buildings are locked. Some have convenient windows to browse in, but not all of them. You will also notice that some are authentic buildings which have been preserved by moving them to this gathering spot from across the area (including Illinois). Others are constructed from wood salvaged from other cabins/structures that had met their demise. What is created is a homogeneous collection of buildings that you might find if you could travel back in time 180 years to a small town in the area. Vigo County does open the village up the first weekend in October to re-enactors and vendors to celebrate the annual Pioneer Days. I believe there is a $5 fee for attending. I was surprised that I didn't see any promotion for the event in 2019 since I was there just a few days too early. If you are interested, I would suggest contacting the county's parks department. From what I heard from the staff at the guard house, the village has grown over the years as additional buildings have been relocated. While there, be sure to check out one of the State's oldest covered bridges on the south side of the village. Review #2957