Visitors Guide to Attractions
Jerseyville Area
Jersey County, Illinois
Jerseyville is home to an abundance of local history. The centerpiece of the Jerseyville Downtown Historic District, roughly bounded by Exchange, Lafayette, Prairie and Jefferson Streets, is the Jersey County Courthouse. On State Street is the Cheney Mansion, the new home of the Jersey County Historical Museum and to the north of town is the Fulkerson Mansion and Farm Museum. Southwest of Jerseyville is the small town of Otterville, home of the Hamilton Primary School, the first integrated school in the country.
The Fulkerson Mansion
Jerseyville, Illinois
The Fulkerson Mansion, located north of Jerseyville, Illinois is rich in history and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The 14 room Southern-Style Mansion is virtually unchanged today and is furnished with antiques and artifacts of the period with a special display of Colonel Fulkerson’s personal Civil War items, LaFayette Baker’s Civil War artifacts and the Thomas Lincoln Anvil. Tours are available for groups of at least 20 from May 1 through December 15.
Hamilton Primary School
Otterville, Illinois
Dr. Silas Hamilton, moved north from Mississippi and freed his slaves. In 1830, he settled in Otterville with three of his former slaves, George Washington and another couple. When Dr. Silas Hamilton died in 1834, he left provisions in his will for the building and funding of a private school. This school became the first free integrated school in the United States.
Historic Courthouse Square
Jerseyville, Illinois
After the American Civil War ended, and the construction of the Alton & Chicago Railroad was completed, Jerseyville saw a period of commercial, industrial and urban growth. The first major period of growth in the city occurred from 1880 to 1916 and the majority of the commercial structures that are now located in the Downtown Historic District and Courthouse Square were built during this period. It was also during this time that the present Jersey County Courthouse was built.
Jersey County Historical Museum
Jerseyville, Illinois
Operated by the Jersey County Historical Society, the Jersey County Historical Museum is located at the Cheney Mansion site just north of downtown Jerseyville. The Cheney Mansion is furnished with 19th century pieces as well as community memorabilia and is home to a Research Center. The Lone Star School has been relocated to the grounds and restored as it originally was in the late 1800s.
Kampsville Free Ferry
Jersey and Calhoun Counties, Illinois
The Kampsville Free Ferry allows easy access to and from Jersey and Green Counties and Calhoun County. South of Kampsville near Hardin the Great River Road splits into an Eastern and Western Branch. This ferry takes cars from IL-108 from Jersey County into the town of Kampsville where it links up with IL-100 (the Great River Road south) and IL-96 (the Great River Road north).
Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton, Illinois
Pere Marquette is Illinois' largest state park and is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home for bald eagles in the winter. The new Visitors Center provides displays that cover the region’s history and the types of environments the visitor can encounter as well as housing informative interpretative programs. The park has 10 hiking trails that traverse a variety of terrains and horseback riding is offered during the warmer months. The park has year round electric and basic campgrounds. The Lodge consists of both new facilities as well as those constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. All this and more makes Pere Marquette State Park a great place to explore!
The Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Area
Jersey and Calhoun Counties, Illinois
The Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Area is comprised of 24,386 acres and includes 15 wildlife management areas and 11 public access areas scattered along 75 miles along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Of this total, 16,875 acres are actively managed for wetland habitat enhancement and public recreation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
TreeHouse Wildlife Center
Dow, Illinois
The TreeHouse Wildlife Center sits on approximately eight beautiful acres near the rural town of Dow. It's become an ideal environment for injured or orphaned animals that need time to recuperate. The property features large outdoor cages for raptors such as eagles, hawks, and owls and mammals like coyotes, indoor havens for permanents residents, and a pond for waterfowl. The Center is open daily to visitors and also offers outreach programs and groups tours.
Joe Ringhausen Orchards & Market
Jerseyville, Illinois
Joe Ringhausen Orchards & Market is a place where visitors can pick-your-own peaches, apples, plums and blackberries. Or shop the market for the orchard’s bounty as well as finding cider, jellies, squash, pumpkins and more for sale from July through Christmas.
Nearby Attractions
Alton Area
Northwest of the Wood River area is the city of Alton, the largest city in the Scenic Byway area. Alton is the home of several Civil War related sites, as well as the Alton Museum of History and Art, Robert Wadlow (the world's tallest man) and several historic districts. In Godfrey, visitors can find 300 acres of tall-grass prairie and woodlands at the Olin Nature Preserve. Crossing the Mississippi via the Clark Bridge leads to the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area. Just northwest of the Alton Visitors Center is the start of the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.
Calhoun County
Calhoun County lies west of the Scenic Byway and is almost completely surrounded by water. The 4 ferries connecting Calhoun County with the rest of the region provide an interesting mode of transportation. Sites in the area include the Brussels Historic District, the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge and the Center for American Archeology in Kampsville.
Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette is Illinois' largest state park and is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home for bald eagles in the winter. The park offers its visitors diverse recreational and educational opportunities that encompass the past, present and future. The park features hiking trails and horseback riding. The park has year round electric and basic campgrounds. The Lodge consists of both new facilities as well as those constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. All this and more makes Pere Marquette State Park a great place to explore!
For Travelers Heading Across the River
Meeting the Missouri River
The two longest rivers of the United States, the Missouri and the Mississippi, meet at St. Charles County, Missouri. The Historic St. Charles downtown area offers visitors a variety of attractions including the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, The Foundry Art Centre, and Missouri’s First State Capitol. Nearby is Confluence State Park and the Daniel Boone Home.
The Metropolitan Saint Louis Area
Metropolitan Saint Louis has a lot to offer its visitors. The area's most prominent attraction is the Gateway Arch. Saint Louis has a number of outstanding public institutions that are free to visit including the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and the Science Center. The Saint Louis region has a number of green spaces for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Faust County Park, in Saint Louis County, is home to many historical and cultural attractions including the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a historical village, and the Saint Louis Carousel. The county is also home to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, the Powder Valley Conservation Area.
