The Popeye statue at the Illinois Welcome Center in Chester is a fun and unmistakably local…read morelandmark, sitting right in the parking area on the Illinois side of the bridge that leads to Perryville Missouri. It's a cheerful figure and on a quick stop, it adds a little personality to what would otherwise be a standard highway welcome center. The placement is perfect. Enter the parking lot and there he is with that classic grin before you even get to the building. It's here because Chester is the hometown of Elzie Crisler Segar, the creator of Popeye. The town has fully embraced that heritage, scattering character statues around the area and celebrating its connection to the comic strip. The welcome center Popeye is one of the most visible of the bunch, acting as a friendly introduction to the town's quirky claim to fame. As roadside attractions go, it's simple but charming, and it sets the tone nicely for a visit to Chester. [Review 1097 of 2026 - 257 in Illinois - 26276 overall]

Kinda blew right past the welcome center hosting this tribute due to lots of goings on going on…read morewhat with the bridge construction and reconfiguring the approaches and all that... Popeye is all bronzed up for the world to adore as he welcomes folks to Chester Illinois, hometown of EC Segar. plenty of parking but the lot will need some attention when the road is completed. the visitor's center was closed when I got here it's full up with sailor stuff so try to get here when you can step in and have a look around. there's maps available in the lobby that show the location of 18 other statues of characters from print and film if you want to spend a day doing nothing of merit but enjoyable regardless. this, the first statue, dates from 1977. after a twenty-nine year hiatus 18 additional marble statues were eventually installed around town - one per year - to enhance the visitor experience. yea Popeye!

I'm sad that I was here on a Sunday afternoon and did not have a chance to properly tour the…read moreinterior of this beautiful home. It's clear that this is a leftover from better days in Cairo, a city that has fallen into deep disrepair like a shopping mall with no tenants. The outside is stunning with well kept grounds including the small gazebo and the brick paths. Even if it's closed for the day, it's still well worth a good walk around. [Review 1242 of 2024 - 197 in Illinois - 22265 overall]

I saw this place on the map and was looking for something to do it was awesome. The tour guide is…read moreso sweet and knowledgeable. He really cares about his job. There's so much to see there. If you have a chance and you like old homes this is a must see. The $8 fee is well worth the money. They were just taking down there Christmas decorations but the place was still impressive. If you can give a call before you go in case he's out that would be great because you don't wanna miss this house.

Great small park nice museum of Civil War and the battle and then the reconstructed earth fort The…read morediorama in the museum explains the fighting very well. The town is also nice clean and enjoyable

This place is so awesome and full of history! My friend introduced me to this site when I lived in…read morethe area. If you are a history buff, or closet one, such as I, you need to check this place out. Seriously. You are standing on the site of where the Battle of Pilot Knob took place. The Fort is still in great shape, you can walk all the way around it and see the gun batteries. Not only does it include earthenwork remains of the fort itself, but it also has a large visitors center with many artifacts, flags, and an award-winning video. Definitely worth the trip!

A nice park for a walk. Have some nice information about the history of the park and area. Along…read morewith Menard home, get a great idea of the importance of that settlement. Includes cemetery and fantastic lookout of the river.

This is a picturesque historic park. We visited on a Friday in October when it was cool, rainy, and…read moreblustery so not anyone else there. The pavilion has a great view. On one side is a playground while the other side has 2 pit toilet buildings labeled "any gender." There was also a grill. The area down the road has the remnants of mounds where the fort ramparts were located. There's a sign which explains the history. In between the two sites there's an old cemetery. Near the entrance there's a sign for the Menard home located down the road not too far. Don't forget to visit it- the architecture is interesting even if the house is closed.

This past weekend was the 45th annual Rendzevous at the Fort. This is a two day event at the fort…read more The hours are 10-5. They have gun demonstrations, flag raising and lowering ceremonies, people dress in period costumes. It costs $5 per car (what super cheap right) to park and you can walk back in time. We walk up to watch a juggling demonstration, they bring kids and adults from the crowd to get everyone excited. Yes, you get to see men waking around in buckskin and French and British soldiers. You can buy buttons made from bones, a fox hide or a buffalo burger. This is held every year on the first weekend in June. After a fun day at the fort Prairie du Rocher has food stands and you can stop and watch the parade at 6 o'clock. If you are wanting to get out of the city and see learn a little history, this is the place.

Great place to take kids. Fun to climb on and pretend they are defending the fort. The drive down…read moreis nice whether you take the river road or Kaskaskia. I would recommend hitting Gallaghers in Waterloo or J. Fires on the way back.

Beautiful. The house is a piece of history I want to go through it in the fall. It is hidden in…read moreArnold unknown. I stumbled across it driving looking for a house for a friend. Can not wait to go through it

Docent lead tour of an amazing and well loved house. So well maintained with commitment and love…read more Our docent was so knowledgeable! No doubts about her love of this house and keeping this beauty around for all to enjoy!

Sept 2015, We went on a road trip from Nashville Tn to visit some state parks and historical sites…read morein Missouri. We stopped at Dillard Mill State Historical Site. Tony, Noel and I with Sammi parked in the parking lot and walked down the pathway to the start of the trail to the Mill. At first you kind of walk through the woods but then it opens up to a large field like area with a lake with a creek running into it and there is the large old mill. We went into the mill and looked around for FREE which was really nice. History: The Dillard Mill State Historic Site is a privately owned, state-administered property on Huzzah Creek in Crawford County, Missouri that preserves a water-powered gristmill.[4] The 132-acre (53 ha) site has been operated as a state historic site by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources under a lease agreement with the L-A-D Foundation since 1975.[5] The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015 A mill was built on Huzzah Creek in 1853 by Francis Wisdom and it was known as the Wisdom Mill. It was destroyed by fire in 1895. The property changed hands, and a new mill, the Mische Mill, was built in 1908. The Mische Mill used an underwater turbine rather than the old waterwheel, and the owners altered the course of the stream and the bluff at the site. The mill was in operation until 1956. It was renamed the Dillard Mill in 1975 when the state took over management of the property. It was dedicated as a historic site in 1977. Restoration of the mill was completed in 1980

This mill is just overabout 100 years old. It sits in a quiet and pretty remote part of Huzzah…read morecreek between Cherryville and Viburnum. The site in its entirety is much larger than I expected, with lots of picnic tables throughout, also an old country store you can walk through. A trail of about a half mile is required to get to the mill from the parking lot. This would be kind of a struggle for the elderly, I'd think. The best part of this mill is it seems to be just about in working condition, despite it's age. It was essentially put out of business when Pillsbury bought all the flour mills out. Occasionally, they'll turn a control wheel and get al the machinery working. They did it in the middle of our tour and it was very impressive. If you are a fan of machinery and "how things work" you won't want to miss this. The tour provides some interesting anectdotes and is definitely worth the $4 price. On a hot day, though, you might not want to spend a half an hour inside the building. Overall, I give it 3 and a half stars. It's not such a beautiful place that I'll be excited to send all my friends, but if you're like me and enjoy visiting these kinds of historic structures, I rate it worth seeing.

Under renovation but always a nice place for a little side trip…read more Great history lessons when staff on site

Sept 2015, Tony, Noel and I along with our doggie Sammi, went to several State Parks in Missouri…read moreand we stopped at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site to check out the old grist mill and the Burfordville Covered Bridge. The park is FREE to enjoy. The parking lot is full of trees and gravel and makes for a nice shaded area. There are picnic tables and NO grills but you can bring a picnic basket with food in it. We walked around the grist mill and the Covered bridge. It is a very lovely park and easy to find once you put in the GPS information. History of the Bollinger Grist Mill. The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is a state-owned property preserving a mill and covered bridge that pre-date the American Civil War in Burfordville, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. The park was established in 1967 and offers mill tours and picnicking. It is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Mill History: In 1797, George Frederick Bollinger received a land grant from the Spanish Government and moved with several other families from North Carolina to what is now Burfordville, Missouri.[4] In 1800, Bollinger began building a log dam and mill on the Whitewater River. In 1825, Bollinger rebuilt the mill and dam using limestone. After Bollinger's death in 1842, his daughter Sarah Daugherty and her sons continued to operate the mill until the Civil War, when the mill was burned by the Union army in order to prevent the supply of flour and meal to the Confederate army. Following the war, the mill site was sold to Solomon R. Burford. The current four-story brick mill was completed by Burford in 1867 and is built upon the limestone foundation of the 1825 building. Burford owned the mill until 1897, when the Cape County Milling Company took over operations and continued operating the mill until 1953 when the mill was sold to the Vandivort family, relatives of George Bollinger. The mill was donated to the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society in 1961 and to the State of Missouri in 1967.[3] Three years later, the mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places

A Hidden Jewel in St. Louis - Don't Miss the Magic Chef Mansion!…read more What a historic gem! The Magic Chef Mansion is one of St. Louis' most stunning and best-kept secrets. If you haven't taken a tour, you are truly missing out. This architectural treasure offers a glimpse into another era--where craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless beauty meet. What makes it even more special is the incredible care and devotion of Shelly, the current owner and resident. It's amazing how she has lovingly restored the entire interior, tracking down original furniture, lighting fixtures, and period-appropriate details to bring this mansion back to its former glory. What an act of love--and one that every visitor can feel the moment they walk through the doors. Every room is a story, and the guided tour is filled with fascinating history, local lore, and exquisite details. Whether you're a St. Louis native or a visitor, this is an experience that belongs at the top of your list. The Magic Chef Mansion isn't just a tour--it's a living, breathing piece of art and history. Don't miss the chance to be a part of it.

This is a wonder!!!! Beautifully maintained and decorated mansion. Owner guided tour for our…read moregroup. Charge for tours but well worth seeing this amazing turn of the 20th century mansion.