8 Towns in Illinois that Transport You to the Past

Illinois, known as "The Prairie State," has been a welcoming home to settlers for thousands of years, from indigenous groups to European settlers and American pioneers. While modern life surrounds us today, many of the state’s small towns still hold on to their rich history, from prehistoric Native American settlements to beautifully maintained Victorian homes. So, set aside the history book and prepare to experience the state's past in a whole new way!

Galena

Galena’s Main Street consistently attracts visitors year after year with over 125 shops, many located in historic 19th-century buildings. The American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor is a classic place to grab a snack, offering a nostalgic experience with Cedar Crest Ice cream served in homemade waffle cones. For a unique souvenir, check out some of Galena’s boutiques, including Beyond the Horizon, Bella Rosa Boutique, and Earth’s Treasures. Other historic sites in Galena include the Ulysses S. Grant Home, the former house of the 18th US president, and the DeSoto House Hotel, the oldest operating hotel in the state, featuring 55 Victorian-style rooms where visitors can lodge for a historic weekend away.

Jacksonville

It is hard to find another town in Illinois that has such an impressive concentration of 19th and 20th-century architecture, particularly when walking along State Street. The Colonial Inn, built in 1903, the Dr. Owen Long House, from 1865, and the David A. Smith House, once the home of one of Abraham Lincoln’s colleagues, are just a few of the architectural gems worth visiting. Those wanting to browse local art must stop by the David Strawn Art Gallery, housed in a building from the late 19th century and featuring both permanent and rotating exhibits. To learn about the town’s history, ranging from Lincoln’s time in town to the area’s first institutions and stores, make sure to stop by the Jacksonville Area Museum.

Quincy

Quincy, once the state’s second-largest city, prospered as a riverboat and transportation town in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can start off their trip in Quincy by renting a kayak and exploring the Mississippi River, putting themselves in the shoes of those who navigated its waters centuries ago. There are also countless landmarks to visit, such as the Quincy Museum, previously a mansion from 1891 that now contains a furnished floor, rotating exhibits, and history galleries that dive into the area’s past. Crossing the river, visitors can check out Quinsippi Island, a 130-acre site that features a log cabin village from the Lincoln era as well as places for eagle spotting and white egret nesting.

Petersburg

Two friends of Abraham Lincoln, George Warburton and Peter Lukins, founded the town of Petersburg in 1833. Today, the town’s architecture and history are largely preserved in the bluffs of Petersburg, where numerous Victorian houses still stand. Two miles south of modern-day Petersburg, travelers can also visit New Salem Village, a replica of the original town and now listed as a state historic site. Also south of Petersburg, in the Oakland Cemetery, lies the grave of Ann Rutledge, once Lincoln’s sweetheart when he resided near New Salem. Those interested in literature will want to check out the Masters Memorial Museum, formerly the childhood home of Edgar Lee Masters, one of the country’s greatest modern authors and poets.

Cahokia

Cahokia, meaning “Wild Geese,” derives its name from the Cahokia indigenous group, who once gathered along the nearby Mississippi River for summer councils and winter prairie hunts. To explore Cahokia’s rich Native American heritage, visit the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It features Monks Mound, a 100-foot-tall prehistoric earthwork—the largest of its kind in the Americas—inhabited between 700 and 1400 CE.

Other nearby historic landmarks include the Labor & Industry Museum, showcasing the region’s labor history, and the Victorian Home Museum, an 1866 upper-class residence featuring a dining room, parlor, bedrooms, and library preserved as they would have appeared in the 19th century.

Nauvoo

Those wanting to immerse themselves in pioneer times are in for a treat in Nauvoo. The Rheinberger House Museum, located in Nauvoo State Park, is the perfect place to start, home to countless artifacts that were once used by the region’s early pioneers, as well as a summer kitchen and stone-arched wine cellar, located within an 1840s four-room house.

Continue your historical journey at the Weld House Museum, located in the business district. Once home to a physician from 1842 to 1846, the museum showcases artifacts spanning from Native American cultures to the first settlers and the later Mormon presence. Those interested in vintage cars must visit Nauvoo during Labor Day Weekend when the town puts on its annual Festival on Wheels, featuring hot rods, machines, trucks, and classic cars.

Metropolis

In 1972, D.C. Comics declared the all-American town of Metropolis the official “Home of Superman.” Today, visitors can explore museums and landmarks that offer a nostalgic journey through Superman’s story. At the Super Museum, travelers can view one of the world’s largest Superman collections, featuring artifacts from both the television shows and movies, including authentic Superman costumes.

Just a couple of blocks from the museum, visitors will find the Noel Neill as Lois Lane Statue, commemorating his leading lady, Lois Lane in the “Adventures of Superman”. Even if you are not interested in Superman history, make sure to stop by Metropolis to visit Fort Massac State Park, a 1,500-acre park with a replica of a historic fort from 1802.

Princeton

Originally formed in the 1830s, Princeton boomed two decades later, after becoming a stop along the Quincy, Burlington, and Chicago Railroads. To see a historic home from the early 19th century, spend a morning at the Lovejoy Homestead, where Owen Lovejoy, a prominent congressman and abolitionist, resided. The Apollo Theater is a great place to catch a film, operating originally as an opera hall in 1883 before being converted into a film house in the early 20th century. For a craft beer and mouthwatering burger, stop by DownTown Pub in the evening, proudly earning the title of “2023's Best Burgers in Bureau County”.

Final Thoughts

Ready to uncover centuries of history in Illinois? Whether you are drawn to Superman’s legacy, a classic American ice cream parlor, or 19th-century forts, these eight towns have something for every type of traveler. So get ready to venture out—You might just find yourself reflecting on a side of Illinois that feels like it has been forgotten by time.