Illinois is not a super old state, but it is full of tons of history. There are many historical sites in Illinois where you can get connected to the past. These are the historical sites everyone should see.
- Pullman (Chicago)
Historic Pullman Foundation/Facebook Pullman was a town where Pullman train employees lived. They were charged rent by George Pullman. Eventually, the town was sold to Chicago, but residents here really try to preserve their homes as they were.
- Dana Thomas House (Springfield)
Dana Thomas House/Facebook This is the best example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “prairie period” dwellings. The home has organic architecture, but also has a Japanese flair. Tours are available.
- International Museum of Surgical Science (Chicago)
International Museum of Surgical Science/Facebook Surgery has come a long way, thankfully. See how surgery used to be performed. This museum is cool not only for those obsessed with medical stuff but with those generally interested in history.
- Morrow Plots (Champaign)
Morrow Plots/Facebook This is an experimental corn field. It is the oldest in the United States, and it is the second oldest in the world. It was designated as a national landmark in 1968.
- Cahokia Mounds (Collinsville)
Cahokia Mounds/Facebook This place was once home to one of the most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations north of Mexico. They built these massive mounds, which you can walk over.
- Grosse Point Lighthouse (Evanston)
Grosse Point Lighthouse/Facebook This lighthouse did not get built until 1873, following several shipping disasters. Some say that Father Jacques Marquette landed at this spot. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
- Hull House Museum (Chicago)
Hull House Museum/Facebook Jane Addams helped Chicago’s poor with her innovative settlement house programs. This museum highlights her work, and educates people about life in Chicago during those times.
- Lincoln Home (Springfield)
Lincoln Home/Facebook This is the only place that President Lincoln lived in Illinois. He lived here from 1844-1861, before serving as President. You can tour the home.
- Modoc Rock Shelter
Nyttend/Wikimedia This is a rock cliff on the edge of the Mississippi River Valley. Its claim to fame is that it has evidence of four separate periods of archaic occupation. There are 28 feet of sediments containing artifacts from different periods.
- Nauvoo
Brian Adams/Flickr Nauvoo was the home of Mormons trying to escape religious persecution. Come see some of the old structures. There are also some historical reenactments so you can truly get the feel of what this town was like.
- Old State Capitol (Springfield)
Daniel X. O’Neil/Flickr This capitol was built in the Greek revival style. It was the old state capitol while Abraham Lincoln was in town, which is also why it is revered.
- Cave in Rock
David Wilson/Flickr This cave has a 55 foot mouth and is right off of the Ohio River. It has been home to numerous pirates and bandits throughout the years.
- Unity Temple (Oak Park)
IvoShandor/Wikimedia Unity Temple was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is considered one of his most important designs. Many architects consider it to be the first modern building in the world.
Have you been to any of these sites?
Historic Pullman Foundation/Facebook
Pullman was a town where Pullman train employees lived. They were charged rent by George Pullman. Eventually, the town was sold to Chicago, but residents here really try to preserve their homes as they were.
Dana Thomas House/Facebook
This is the best example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “prairie period” dwellings. The home has organic architecture, but also has a Japanese flair. Tours are available.
International Museum of Surgical Science/Facebook
Surgery has come a long way, thankfully. See how surgery used to be performed. This museum is cool not only for those obsessed with medical stuff but with those generally interested in history.
Morrow Plots/Facebook
This is an experimental corn field. It is the oldest in the United States, and it is the second oldest in the world. It was designated as a national landmark in 1968.
Cahokia Mounds/Facebook
This place was once home to one of the most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations north of Mexico. They built these massive mounds, which you can walk over.
Grosse Point Lighthouse/Facebook
This lighthouse did not get built until 1873, following several shipping disasters. Some say that Father Jacques Marquette landed at this spot. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Hull House Museum/Facebook
Jane Addams helped Chicago’s poor with her innovative settlement house programs. This museum highlights her work, and educates people about life in Chicago during those times.
Lincoln Home/Facebook
This is the only place that President Lincoln lived in Illinois. He lived here from 1844-1861, before serving as President. You can tour the home.
Nyttend/Wikimedia
This is a rock cliff on the edge of the Mississippi River Valley. Its claim to fame is that it has evidence of four separate periods of archaic occupation. There are 28 feet of sediments containing artifacts from different periods.
Brian Adams/Flickr
Nauvoo was the home of Mormons trying to escape religious persecution. Come see some of the old structures. There are also some historical reenactments so you can truly get the feel of what this town was like.
Daniel X. O’Neil/Flickr
This capitol was built in the Greek revival style. It was the old state capitol while Abraham Lincoln was in town, which is also why it is revered.
David Wilson/Flickr
This cave has a 55 foot mouth and is right off of the Ohio River. It has been home to numerous pirates and bandits throughout the years.
IvoShandor/Wikimedia
Unity Temple was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is considered one of his most important designs. Many architects consider it to be the first modern building in the world.
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