Visit De Land Piatt Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of De Land in Illinois! Experience the Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site and Illinois State Museum. Enjoy the beautiful evening at Starved Rock State Park or at the Cock Robin Drive-In Theater. A must: The Tunnel of Time!
What makes De Land Sights so special is the unique mix of historical simplicity and a pinch of rural spite that you hardly find in other parts of Illinois. The city was founded in 1873 when the railway line intersected the then untamed Goose Creek Township – an event that transformed the region from a dusty arable land into a small but proud trading centre. I remember driving the first time over the old main road, which is still lined with the original bricks, and I thought: “No wonder that the locals are so attached to their roots here.” If you arrive by car from Springfield, you will follow the I‐72 to exit 115 and then you will be guided by the country roads through the wide field sea – a short trip that promises more charm than any highway.
A walk through the historical center makes one smell the traces of the early cereal traders and the first teachers' rooms on the walls, while the few but well-preserved buildings act like silent witnesses of an era which today only lives in the stories of the older generations. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “small cities with heart”, but here the heart has its own rhythm, which is surprisingly fast in its spell. If you are looking for an authentic piece of Illinois, you will not only find history in De Land, but also a slightly ironic smile that visitors welcome.
This guide invites you to make a small road trip with me through the barely known but surprisingly charming De Land in the Goose Creek Township – yes, just the tiny village you can hardly find on the map because it lies between corn fields and endless highway sections.
I must confess at the beginning that my heart for the Depot beats. The old railway shed from the 1880s is not only a relic of time when trains still formed the backbone of the American middle vest, but today a museum that reveals more about local history than one would expect from a place of this size. I remember standing there as a child with my grandfather while explaining to me the rusty course – he said that it was “the real soundtrack of progress”, and I just thought that the squeaking of the old doors was almost romantic. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturdays, when the local historian group organizes a special event and suddenly every car park is occupied by people with binoculars.
A short walk down the main road leads directly to DeLand Public Library, a Carnegie library that houses more books than most small cities need at all. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the creeping wood of the reading tables and the quiet sum of the old heating create an atmosphere that almost invites to dwell. No joke, I once discovered an old city archive that documented the founding history of Goose Creek – a real find for anyone interested in local genealogy.
If you are looking for a place where history and everyday life meet, then that is DeLand Historical Society Museum in the former school building just the right thing. The exhibition is a mixture of dusty photo albums, old school benches and a curious collection of advertising signs from the 1920s. I found an old vintage report there, explaining why the village was once called “the sweetest corner of the Middle West” – a title that I consider today with an eye-catcher, because the candy was rather in the village bakery box than in the air.
A little fresh air? Then send to DeLand Community Park. The park is small, but it has everything a small place needs: a baseball field, a playground and a small lake, where ducks paddle in front of themselves. I've often thrown out my fishing, not because I'm a passionate angler, but because the water's whistle offers the perfect background music for a few relaxed hours. It is practical that the car park (yes, a mini car park) is right next to the entrance area – a real luxury for a village that otherwise only knows field routes.
A short trip leads you to Goose Creek even, the river after which the township is named. The brook is not particularly wide, but it has its own little secrets: a hidden pebble beach where I, as a teenager, took my first fly fishing attempts, and an old wooden ridge occupied by ducks in spring. The water is clear enough to recognize the foundations of an old mill – a relic that today only serves as a photo motif.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the United Methodist Church by De Land. The Gothic nave from the early 20th The century is not only architecturally interesting, but also houses a small but fine organ concert that takes place every first Sunday of the month. I once experienced a spontaneous Gospel jam that reminded me that even in the most inconspicuous communities there is a little soul.
For those who appreciate the industrial flair, there is the imposing DeLand Grain Elevator. The silver silo cabinet protrudes beyond the fields and is a landmark that can be seen from the highway immediately. I once met a local farmer who told me that the grain from the surrounding farms is still transported by train – a nostalgic thought that reminds me that some traditions still live here.
And yes, if you are looking for a compact overview, then these are De Land Attractions Just what you need – a mix of history, nature and a bit of rustic charm that will make every visitor tick a little slower. I could talk more about the annual summer festival, but this is a theme for another day. For the moment, it's enough for you to go along the road next time and just stop to discover what I've summarized here in a few lines.
The first stop is Monticello Railway Museum, a paradise for those who still believe in the good old steam locomotive era – and this is more than just a hobby, that is almost a cult. I spent a Saturday morning while an old EMD-40‐C diesel-rattered and the visitors were in staggering silence, because the sound of a real locomotive is simply not torn. Parking is almost always a Klack at the museum's main gate, as long as you don't come to the main event on the first weekend in July, then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and picnic baskets.
Just a few miles further, almost like a short trip to Monticello, this is Piatt County Historical Museum. Here the history of the county is presented in dusty boxes and crunching wooden benches – a bit cheesy, but honestly, that is the true heart of Piatt. I found an old photo album there showing my great grandparents during harvesting; that immediately reminded me of the hard but proud days of my ancestors. The entrance is free, and the small café behind the museum serves the best homemade apple cake I've ever tasted – no joke.
A short detour into the green leads to Goose Creek Prairie State Natural Area. Who thinks that Illinois is only flat cornfield has clearly made the bill without the wild prairie flowers. I wandered there on a windy afternoon, while a single Red Milan glides over the sky – a rare sight that almost seemed spiritual. The path is well marked, but parking is a bit short, especially if the local nature lovers plan their weekend excursions.
A bit further east, almost towards Decatur, lies Lake Decatur. The lake is a popular spot for anglers, sailors and all who want to catch a bit of water without going to Chicago. I rented a small boat there and spent a few hours watching the sun over the water while a few children tested their swimming wings loudly. The parking lot at the main entrance is huge, but on hot summer days it can come to a small traffic jam if everyone wants to get their boats out of the water at the same time.
If you are in the area in August, you can Piatt County Fairgrounds do not miss. The annual County Fair is a mix of cattle upgrades, rides and a lot of local food stands that offer everything from corn pistons to deep-baked donuts. I remember an evening I was standing in a crowded snake for a piece of fried pork, while a local politician tried to calm down the crowd with a speech about “tradition and progress” – a classic picture of midwestern politics. Parking is a children's game because the terrain was built for mass events.
Last but not least a short trip to Piatt County Courthouse in Monticello, an impressive brick building from the 19th century Century that still serves as a courthouse. I made a tour there with a very enthusiastic historian who told me that the building once served as a meeting point for secret societies – a rumor that I could never fully believe, but the crunching halls and the old clockwork in the hall have almost convinced me. Parking directly in front of the courthouse is usually easy as long as you do not look past it during a court trial.
If you want to discover the authentic country life and the small treasures around De Land, you will find a colourful mix of railway history, nature, water and local culture – a real kaleidoscope of experiences that the De Land Attractions into a new light.
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