Visit Oblong Crawford Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Oblong, Illinois: An unusual place for adventure lovers! Here you will find the world's largest open air art museum. The "Henry County Art in Public Places" shows sculptures by artists from all over the world. Not to miss: the impressive "Muffler Man"!
What makes Oblong sights so special is the unique mix of historical simplicity and a pinch of rural resilience that you hardly find in a guide that doesn't take too seriously yourself. I remember the first time I came to the small town, which was founded in 1856 as an “oblong”, because the original land allocations were actually a little lengthy – a detail that hardly anyone noticed today, but that immediately caught me a snare. The entire Oblong Township is located in the heart of Crawford County, a region formerly characterized by coal mines and agricultural families; Today the village is rather a quiet retreat where the only sounds are the distant mowing of cows and the occasional squeaking of an old barn.
When I arrive by car over the State Route 33, I immediately feel that the road has more stories to tell than some city leaders. I park at the small, slightly weathered town hall, which still forms the official center of the township, and then stroll to the main street café, where the Barista tells me with an eye-catcher that her “homemade apple cake” is actually just a piece of cake from the freezer – not a joke, but honestly it tastes very well. The locals here like to talk about the old days, and I learned that the annual “Oblong Harvest Festival” is more an excuse to see the neighbors than a real festival. So whoever searches for a place where history does not live in shiny glass facades, but in creeping halls and yellowed newspaper archives, finds in Oblong exactly what he needs. And yes, the Oblong sights are not only an advertising slogan, but a promise that you can still experience real, unfaithful moments here.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the oblique-harmant world of Oblong, and I start with what I think is the absolute highlight: the **Oblong Public Library**. I mean, who needs the New York libraries if you have a building here that looks like a Victorian architect had a bad day and still houses every book you can imagine? I once found an old photo album that dates back to the 1920s – a real treasure, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are a part of the city's history, although you're just looking for a coffee.
The **Oblong City Hall**, a brick design that carries more graffiti than a Berlin club, is directly opposite, hardly overlooked. I went there once, because the signs look more for artistic freedom than for guidance. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to the weekly bingo and blocks the road.
A short walk leads you to the **Oblong Community Park**, where a baseball field stands, which is used more by local teenagers than by professionals – but that's just the beauty of it. I made an improvised picnic there in the summer with some locals; they have explained to me that in winter the field becomes an ice rink because the budget for official lawn care is simply not enough. So if you are looking for a little adventure, you should bring a ball – or a pair of skates, depending on the season.
A little offside, almost like a hidden relic from the agricultural period, stands the **Old Grain Elevator**, which today serves as a small museum of Oblong sights. I have to admit, I was skeptical because I thought it was just a rusty tower, but there are interactive exhibits inside about the cereal harvest in the Middle West, and an old tractor that still squeaks when you touch it. The museum is not very big, but the passion of the voluntary curators is contagious – they tell you stories that you would never hear, like the legend of the “lost maize field” of 1937.
If you get hungry, you must stop by **Miller’s Diner**, the only place in Oblong, where you get a real “All-American” burger that contains more meat than your entire life expectancy budget. I ordered a milkshake there that was so sweet that I almost wanted to send the glass back – but then the waitress, who clearly has more humour than patience, gave me an extra pommes than compensation. The staff is so easy here that you almost feel like having a family dinner, only without the unpleasant talks about politics.
Another must is the **St. Mary’s Catholic Church**, a small church house with a stone facade that has more stories to tell than most guides. I took part in a Sunday Mass there, just to see that the organ game is led by an 80-year-old gentleman who has more energy than a teenager after three energy drinks. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also a meeting place for the community, and the weekly cake buffet is legendary – I have eaten the best apple cake piece of my life there.
At the end of my small tour I would like to mention the **Oblong Fall Festival**, which takes place every year in October. I was there last year when the city turned into a colourful mess of carousels, local crafts stands and a fairly loud country band. The festival is what Oblong really does: a mixture of rustic charm, a bit of chaos and a lot of cordiality. So, if you can go by in the fall, bring your friends with you – and don't forget to pack some extra socks, because the weather can kill quickly here.
The first stop I always recommend is that Garden of the Gods near Lawrenceville – a short but steep trip of about 30 miles north of Oblong, which gives you the feeling of standing in the middle of the Wild West, only that the rocks here consist of red sandstone and not of cactus. I almost lost my walking shoes there, because the path suddenly merges into a labyrinth of narrow rock gorges; that is exactly what you need after a long day in the office – a bit of confusion, a bit of dust and a lot of Instagram material. Parking is usually easy at the main parking lot, as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with the whole family, this will be a little patience training.
A few miles further, towards the east, this is Cache River State Natural Area. Here there are more crocodiles (well, alligators) than in any other part of Illinois, and the water is so clear that you can count the underwater plants while trying not to be followed by a horde ducks. I rented a kayak there – that was an expensive fun, but the watering and the occasional slipping of a curious fish almost made me forget that I was only gone for a few hours. Access to the river is well signposted, and parking at the visitor center is free as long as you do not try to occupy the entire campfire area.
If you feel that you have enough water, then that's Little Grand Canyon in the Shawnee National Forest exactly the counterpart you need. The canyon is not really “big”, but the steep sandstone walls and the narrow canyons give you the feeling of standing in a miniature version of the real Grand Canyon – only without the crowds. I made a picnic there while a squirrel tried to steal my sandwiches; that was the highlight of the day. The trail is well maintained, but the weather can hit quickly, so an umbrella in the backpack never hurts.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. This vast protected area covers more than 40 000 hectares and offers everything from bird watching to fishing. For the first time, I saw a red cardinal from close proximity – a red miracle that almost made me sacrifice my camera. The visitor centre has a small café, which surprisingly serves good pancakes, and parking is free on most access routes as long as you don't try to reserve the whole field for a private picnic.
For history freaks Trail of Tears State Forest a quiet but impressive place. The forest is about 25 miles south of Oblong and follows the traces of the forced relocation of the Cherokee. I made a guided tour there, where a local leader told stories that made me think more than any museum tour. The forest offers simple campsites that you can use without reservation, as long as you observe the campfire regulations – that means you can only have a small fire per parking space.
A short trip to Robinson, the district town of Crawford County, is also worth it. There is the Crawford County Historical Museumthat reveals more about local history than one would expect from a place with less than 5,000 inhabitants. I discovered an old railway model there that reminded me of my childhood when I drove my father to the area in a train. The museum is free, and parking right in front of the building is always free, except for the rare days where a local festival takes place.
Although Oblong has hardly any of the usual tourist magnets, the surroundings offer a surprisingly diverse range of nature, history and small adventures – from the harsh rock formations of the Garden of the Gods to the quiet paths of the Trail of Tears. So those looking for authentic experiences should not only be limited to the city, but the surrounding Oblong Attractions in the itinerary.
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