Visit Sullivan Moultrie Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Sullivan in the US state of Illinois! Here you will find a historic railway museum and the famous World's Largest Catsup Bottle in a park. Nearby is the Lincoln Trails State Recreation Area, where you can fish or camp. An unforgettable travel tip for families and railway fans!
What makes Sullivan sights so special is the unique mix of dusty history and surprisingly lively present that makes me feel a little bit at the first step through the main road. The city was founded in 1845, named after the politician John Sullivan, and has survived more than a few slices of corn fields since then – a real piece of Illinois heritage, which is not found in every guide.
When I leave the I‐57 by car and turn to the US‐24, you can immediately feel that not only fields, but also stories grow here. The old County Court, which was opened in 1868, still stands as a reminder for the honest, though sometimes merciful, mentality of the inhabitants. I don't understand the hype about the annual County Fair, but the popcorn and the shrill rides are a real cultural shock for someone who otherwise only visits silent libraries. The local library, a rebuilt warehouse, is my favorite place to shut down – here history meets modern technology, and that without much lifting. If you have a little time after a short stop in Moultrie County, you can walk along the small but fine “Sullivan Sights” path where old barns, a restored railway signal and a few friendly faces round off the picture. And yes, the bus to Decatur only runs twice a day, so better park the car and enjoy the road.
Whether adventurers, connoisseurs or culture lovers – in Sullivan everyone finds something that makes his heart beat faster, and my personal favorite is the imposing Moultrie County Courthouse, which runs in the middle of the city like a stone monument to the good old bureaucracy. I stood there for the first time, while a rain crawled out of the distance, and the massive brick building almost seemed like a film set from the 1900s – no joke, the dome is really an eye-catcher. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't come straight on Friday night after the county meeting, then the small parking area will quickly become a battlefield.
A few blocks further lies the Sullivan Public Library, a real jewel for everyone who loves books and at the same time like sitting in a building that looks like a Victorian architect drank too much coffee. I spent a few hours there because I thought I could still read a book – instead I was introduced by a group of seniors into the history of local agriculture, which was surprisingly charming. The library has free Wi-Fi, so you can also uninterruptedly plan the next Instagram post while wondering about the dusty shelves.
If you have enough of dusty shelves, the path inevitably leads to Main Street, where the small shops and cafes radiate a bit from the “small town charm” that you always try to find in guides. I drank a cappuccino in the “Bean & Bun” that was almost too good to be true – strong enough to keep me awake for the rest of the day, and the staff even offered me a piece of cake “gratis” because I look “a real explorer”. Parking here is a bit of a gamble: a few free places right in front of the store, but usually you have to park a few blocks further and walk the way.
A short walk leads to the Sullivan City Park, where a small pond and a few old benches wait to sort his thoughts. I made a picnic there once, while a duck-headed ruddle infused me curiously – no drama, just a bit of quak. The park is ideal if you want to catch some fresh air after a long day; the playground area is small, but the children there seem to love it, and that means for me as adults that I finally find a little rest. A little note: the car park next to the park is only full on weekends, so if you plan a quiet afternoon, this is a good spot.
For those who do not yet know the word “Festival” there are the Moultrie County Fairgrounds, where every year the whole town comes together to evaluate cattle, drive carousels and drink one or other beer. Here you can find the real Sullivan Attractions because the whole village comes together here – from the local high school march chapel to the annual BBQ competition, where last year I accidentally tried the furthest chili and almost called the fire department. Parking is a children's game because the terrain is huge, but be warned: the parking signs are sometimes confusing, so just follow the crowds.
Another hidden gem is the old Sullivan Train Depot, which today serves as a mini-museum and preserves a bit of the glorious railway history of the region. I discovered an old model of a steam locomotive that was so in love with detail that I was almost trying to buy it – unfortunately, that is not allowed. The depot is located directly on the main road, so parking is practically always possible, and the building itself is a good photo motif if you want to capture the nostalgic vibe.
Last but not least, the Sullivan Community Center is almost the social heart of the city. Here, art exhibitions, dance evenings and the annual “Koch-und-Kunst-Festival” take place regularly, where I once accidentally landed in a yoga course, because I confused the door. The center has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually free, and the atmosphere is so loose that you feel like a local immediately – at least until you realize that most of the conversations are about the weather and the harvest.
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