Landmark in the middle of nowhere, that's pretty cool. There' s plenty of parking and a plaque with info that you can almost read, but may be better to bring a large piece of paper and pencil to transfer the message to easier readability. .|\---/| | o_o | .\_^_/..2021 read more

Piasa Bird - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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Everywhere we go, people want to know, who we are...... We are the birds, the mighty, mighty birds....... That is part of an old high school cheer. I'm a graduate of Southwestern High School and the Piasa Bird was our mascot. So the Piasa Bird has a special place in my heart. Growing up in the area, I remember another location of the bird being painted on the bluffs. It was sit back further from the road, so this present day location is more tourist friendly. When visiting the Alton and Grafton area, it is worth a stop to view the painting and to read the legend of the mighty, mighty Piasa Bird. read more

It was a beautiful late afternoon. It seemed a lovely idea to take a walk near the big water. It was convenient to do so at the first noticeable stop on the River Road past Alton, a place called Piasa Park. I'll leave it to others to tell the tale of the Piasa, but I will share my first impressions, mainly in the form of photo captions. There was little in the way of pleasant walking, and eventually I saw there is a sign that plainly says the parking lot is for bike parking on the Vadalabene bike trail. But there was a lot of activity in the parking lot, and on a trail near the parking lot, maybe just high school kids hanging out on a weekend night. Maybe. If I were you, then I'd pull up to read the historical marker, roll down your window to take a photo of the piasa-like cliff art, then drive on. read more

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1 mile up the Great River Road (a site in an of itself) from the Alton Visitor's Center, the Piasa Bird park is a monument to the Illini Indian legend of the great Piasa Bird. It is pronounced "Pie-uh-saw". Legend has it that the Piasa Bird "was as large as a calf with horns like a deer, red eyes, a beard like a tiger's, a face like a man, the body covered with green, red and black scales and a tail so long it passed around the body, over the head and between the legs." Legend also said that the great winged creature could away a full grown deer and had a taste for human flesh. In 1673, French explorers Pere Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were the first Europeans to see and document the images and story of a great creature. While the original Illini painting is long gone, multiple recreations were made at different locations along the bluffs. This current location and park was built in 1998. It's a must see on your trip through the Alton area because it's an important part of the area's history and will explain why multiple businesses have that strange "Pie-ass-uh" name. read more

Piasa Bird - The Piasa Bird, in all its glory! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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It's hard to see a replica of what was once an original painting that we honored as a legend in our area. Nevertheless it is what is left of a past that is very much unknown, for it is a legend that has been handed down through generations. As for our high school, Southwestern, we proudly upheld the legend of the mighty Piasa Bird as our mascot. Still today that bird is represented by a multitude of students coming and going through the school district. read more

Lovely landmark that is significant to Alton! I remember as a child coming here and recently came back to check it out. Looks a lot nicer and very clean. It's currently under construction. No trials or hiking area. J read more

Piasa Bird - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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The Piasa Bird is a large painting on a cliff face on the Mississippi River just north of Alton. The original paintings were discovered in the 17th century, but were destroyed. The bird was repainted and later restored in its current location. The legend of the Piasa Bird is likely a concoction of an American writer, and the original paintings may not have even been birds. However, the Piasa Bird is a part of local tradition and a must-see for anyone traveling on the Great River Road. And bird watchers that travel the road to see bald eagles in the winter will surely want to add the Piasa Bird to their life list. read more

Piasa Bird - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Alton, Illinois

A little strange piece of Alton history lies just a shortly drive on the River Road outside the old town. I can't recall how many times this marker has been moved (its been blamed for many auto accidents in the past...), but it looks like it is here to stay at its current location. So anyway, if you are interested in something unusual to see (family friendly), check out the Piasa (pronounced pie-a-saw) Bird. There have been many legends to this painting and the bird - you'll find out about it here. It's also in a great area, overlooking the Mississippi. I remember at its old location (up the highway), going on a couple trips up there with my classmates. We would all try to find arrowheads! read more

Even with historical credibility that may be dubious, this was a neat stop on the river road. There's not a lot to do here, no hiking trails or anything of that nature that I could see. But it was still pretty cool to stop and stretch one's legs during a long drive. read more