What makes Greenup sights so special is the almost paradoxical mixture of historical silence and the quiet drones of everyday life that you feel as soon as you leave the dusty road towards St. Louis. I remember the first time in the 1850s when the railroad was throwing up the small village around the founder of the same name, John Greenup, stumbled over the barren barns and the bare pavement – a place that has hardly changed since, apart from a few modern advertising boards that loosen the picture. Greenup is located in the township of the same name and belongs to the rural Cumberland County, where the fields reach so far that you almost feel the country itself would breathe.
When I turn into the I‐70 exit 140 today by car, I feel like a time traveler who accidentally in 19th. The century has just landed that the WLAN signal strength is now surprisingly good. The small railway station that hardly anyone else uses is a relic I like to use as a photo motif – no joke, that is almost an insider spot for Instagram lovers who are looking for authenticity. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about “small town charms”, but here there is something I don’t find in every big city: the honest, almost rustic hospitality of the locals who give you the feeling that you had always been part of the place at the first “Howdy”. Who explores Greenup quickly discovers that the true treasures are not in museums, but in conversations with the people and the quiet noise of the corn fields.
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The first stop I could not miss was the Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area, a true paradise for everyone who believes that “nature” means more than a few trees on the roadside. I spent a whole weekend with fishing rod and binoculars, and while most visitors only look out for the next fish swarm, I was more interested in the rare pipe dome – a bird that is so shy that he is almost a myth. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking field turns into a battlefield of 4 WD vehicles and overcrowded picnic baskets.
A short trip north leads you to the huge Lake Shelbyville, one of the few places in Illinois where you feel like swimming in the middle of the Great Plains. I rented a kayak there for the first time, and I rubbed over the smooth water surfaces, while a few anglers spoke loudly about the size of their catches – a real “fight of egos” on the lake. The beach area is well signposted, and the small visitor center offers enough information to not look completely unplanned, although I have to admit that I have used most signs only as an excuse to lazy a little longer in the shade.
If you have enough of the water, it is worth a trip to the Cumberland County Fairgrounds, where every year in August the well-known County Fair event takes place. I remember the year when I took part in a chicken run from pure curiosity – that was a spectacle you don't see every day. The stands with homemade apple cake are nothing new, but the mix of local craftsmanship and the distinctive smell of grilled corn makes you immediately feel to be part of a small, slightly chaotic community. Parking is usually sufficient except when the weather suddenly hits and suddenly everyone appears with an umbrella.
A little further south, almost on the edge of the famous “Mississippi‐Delta”, lies the city of Cairo. There, where the Ohio opens up into the Mississippi, there is a small but impressive riverside promenade that breathes more history than most museums in the area. I took a walk there while the sun slept over the river, and suddenly I heard an old song from a nearby diner singing from the days when the city was an important traffic hub. The bridges that connect the two rivers are not exactly architectural marvels, but they offer a fantastic view for photography fans who like to capture dramatic silhouettes.
Another highlight that you shouldn't overlook is the Illinois River Road Scenic Byway, which moves like a band through the landscape and stops at several viewing points. I drove the route on a clear autumn morning when the foliage lit in all earthy tones and smelled the air after damp wood. At one of the stops there is a small information sign about the local fish species – I have ignored it in a short time and instead made a photo of my coffee that evaporated on the passenger seat. The road is well maintained, and parking at the viewpoints is usually problem-free as long as you do not come to the main travel time, then it can become a bit fuller.
Last but not least, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is a must for anyone interested in pre-Columbian history. I have smashed the great earthly hills there and wondered how people could build such monuments without modern tools over a thousand years ago – a mystery that still fascinates me. The visitor park is generously designed, and the museum on site offers enough context to decode the mysteries without having the feeling of reading a textbook.
Whether you prefer the peaceful waters of the Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area, the lively drive on Cumberland County Fairgrounds or the historical wonders of Cahokia Mounds – the environment of Greenup has something to offer for everyone. And that's exactly what makes Greenup Attractions to a surprisingly diverse experience you should not overlook.
This guide invites you to make a small but surprisingly self-contained trip through Greenup, Greenup Township, Illinois with me – yes, the tiny village that you hardly find on the map, but that offers me more personal charm than some big cities.
I prefer to start with the Greenup Public Library because the building itself is a piece of history: an old, red-white striped brick house that used to serve as a primary school. I once borrowed a book about local agriculture and spent almost the whole afternoon between dusty shelves, while the old watch ticked loudly – a sound that somehow conveys the feeling that time is slower here. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly bingo takes place in the community room and everyone tries to get a place.
A short walk leads you to Greenup Community Center. Here you will find not only the best local events – from country-line dances to an occasional Poetry-Slam, where the villagers unpack their best (or worst) mime – but also the legendary coffee kitchen where I once got an espresso that was stronger than my first date. No joke, that was a real watchmaker.
If you want to get some fresh air, then the Greenup Park That's right. The small baseball court is not intended for the Major League, but the children there throw the ball with such an enthusiasm that you almost forget that the grass here is a little devastated. I once made a picnic with my neighbour, who told me that he has been fishing here every summer since his childhood – although the “gelling” means the throwing of plastic fish into the small pond.
Another highlight I always mention is the Greenup Methodist Church. The nave is simple, but the stained glass windows tell stories from a time when the congregation came together regularly to discuss harvest and crop failures. I have seen a concert from a local Gospel group there; the voices echoed through the wood, and I had to admit that I became a bit painful, because the village has somehow more soul than one would suspect at first sight.
For those who like to dive into the past, there is Greenup Historical Museum. It is not a large museum, rather a small room in the old town hall, filled with photos, old maps and a collection of tools used in the fields. I touched an old tractor steering wheel there and wondered why I didn't just post a photo of it on Instagram – but then I remembered that the museum didn't allow selfie sticks. Greenup sights are not only objects, but small pieces of memories of a life that turns slower.
A short detour to Greenup Cemetery may sound for some macabers, but the artfully worked tombstones tell stories about families that have been rooted here for generations. I once found an old veteran trench whose inscription was written in abandoned gold – a silent witness of the story that you could easily overlook if you don't look closely.
And then there is Greenup Grain Elevatorthat you can hardly overlook from the main road. The massive wooden building is a symbol of the agricultural identity of the place. I once watched a sunset there while a tractor slowly passed – a picture I won't forget so quickly.
Last but not least you should not have the small, but fine Greenup Diner forget about Main Street. The service is friendly, the food is easy, but the homemade apple cake is really great. I met a stranger there who claimed he was from Chicago, but after the first bite of the cake he was convinced that he would never eat elsewhere.
So, next time you drive over Illinois and want to taste a piece of real, unsightly village life, just turn off the engine, park at the edge of the park and let yourself be enchanted by the small but fine greenup sights – I promise you that you will have a bit more patience for the hectic city life.
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