There`s a lot more to Illinois than cornfields and Lincoln. But, of course, we`re proud of both. Geographically, the state is a surprising assortment of rivers, lakes, forests and hills. And while we may be the Prairie State-a land of unbroken horizons-the Shawnee National Forest forms a contrasting green belt across the state`s lower extremity, over the low mountains of the Illinois Ozarks.
Scattered throughout this diverse region are some of the Midwest`s most unusual places. Here`s an Illinois sampler of family outings:
Northeastern
This is the corner of the state that Chicagoans know best. A delightful discovery in Kane County is Mooseheart, a special place in the area. This self-contained town, run by the Loyal Order of Moose, is home to 270 orphaned boys and girls. On 1,300 acres are a dairy farm, post office, produce garden, school and even a furniture shop to supply the needs of the residents. Tours are offered 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 708-859-2000.
Just west of St. Charles in La Fox, Garfield Farm and Tavern Museum re-creates a living farm of the 1840s. Roosters wander in and out of the weathered barns. Herbs and flowers grow in the curator`s garden. Schedule a summer field trip and let the kids see just how a farm family of the 1840s must have lived. Open June through September; 708-584-8485.
Northwestern
In the middle of the last century, idealists and philosophers sprinkled utopias across America, communities dedicated to high ideals and moral principles. Illinois is well-represented on the list with the Mormon Nauvoo
(see Western Illinois below) and the Swedish commune at Bishop`s Hill in Henry County. Here craft shops sell Swedish imports, handicafts and local antiques.
In the center of this National Historic Landmark town is the Steeple Building, once the village church, but now a unique museum where docents demonstrate skills practiced by the early settlers. Local restaurants specialize in solid Swedish-American cooking. The Bishop Hill Heritage Association has further information: 309-927-3899.
From Bishop Hill, drive west to the Mississippi River, where you can follow along the Great River Road, stopping for scenic outlooks and dramatic vistas where you may even catch a nostalgic glimpse of a river steamboat.
Eastern
Douglas and its neighboring county, Moultrie, are the center of Amish culture in Illinois. Near the towns of Arthur and Arcola, you can still see the plainly dressed families driving horse-drawn buggies into town. It`s a time machine where women wear modest white caps and dresses in solid colors and men dress in black or blue suits, topped off with flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hats.
Rockome Gardens, five miles west of Arcola, is a theme park with a replica Amish home, a general store, bakery, calico workshop and a shop for wonderful locally made quilts. Open mid-May to mid-October; 217-268-4216.
Central
California has no monopoly on ever-so-natural parsley, sage, rosemary or thyme. The Mari-Mann Herb Farm and Gingerbread House (217-429-1404) in Decatur is truly a breath of fresh air. Visitors can walk among the herb beds, wildflower fields, deer trails and formal gardens, communing with nature or just enjoying the heady scents. The store here sells unusual herbal jellies and teas, potpourris and fragrant oils. Give your nose a vacation.
Western
On the banks of the Mississippi, the Mormons built a settlement-an experiment, really-at Nauvoo. In the 1840s it grew to become the largest city in the state. Today, it`s preserved as an open-air museum with a collection of homes, shops and businesses of the period.
Up on the hill is Nauvoo State Park, the historic Baxter Winery and dozens of places that sell the tasty Nauvoo Blue Cheese.
For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce, 217-453-6648.
Southeastern
Nature shows off in this part of the state. Green and rugged, it`s among Illinois` most dramatic spots. Here, the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest (618-253-7114) is a good example of just how different this region is. Over millions of years, spectacular rock outcroppings have been formed through the action of wind and water, shaping fantastic forms with names like Mushroom Rock, Camel Rock and Fat Man`s Squeeze.
Nature takes a different turn in Olney, where residents are fiercely proud of their white squirrels. Drive carefully; the snowy citizens are protected by city ordinance-they have the right-of-way.
Three miles east of Equality, off Illinois Highway 1, is the county`s top visitor attraction. The Old Slave House, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1834 for John Crenshaw. He was an operator of the salt springs nearby.
Southwestern
Local residents may tell you that there is nothing funny about this corner of Illinois, unless you`re talking about the funnies. Randolph County`s Sparta is home to Spartan Printing, where the most popular comics in the country roll off the presses. Archie, Marvel and DC Comics-with their stars such as Superman and Captain Marvel-come to life right here in Illinois.
And not too far away, over in the county seat of Chester, comic star Popeye is honored. His creator, Elzie Crisler Segar, was born here in 1894, and a statue of the lovable sailorman graces Segar Memorial Park.
At the western edge of Randolph County, our state`s French heritage is taken seriously. Ft. de Chartres, built in 1720, illustrates that our tradition of significant architecture isn`t just a 20th Century phenomenon.
Each June, the Ft. de Chartres Rendezvous re-creates life in the French era with volunteers in militia uniforms, a fife and drum corps, much firing of cannons and French colonial cooking.
Open year-round; phone 618-284-7230.
