In the heart of Arrowsmith Sights, a small piece of Illinois is revealed which has more charm than one would suspect at first glance. The city was built in 1871 when the railway line of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad set a stop here – a classic example of how rails determine the fate of small towns. She was named after the local farmer John Arrowsmith, a guy who probably had more cards than friends.
When I turn the U.S.-150 road by car, you immediately feel that time is slower, but that is not a romantic cliché, but pure reality. The next major hub is normal, only 15 miles away, where you can catch the train if you prefer to get to Amtrak. I do not quite understand the hype about “city flair”, but the honest kindness of the inhabitants makes the escape from the highway worthwhile.
A walk through the historic centre leads past old brick buildings that still carry the original signs from the 1880s – a sight that impresses even the most sceptical travellers. And yes, the Arrowsmith sights are not just a word game, they are what makes this community a underestimated jewel in the heart of McLean County.
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The first stop I always imagine is the imposing David Davis-Mansion at the edge of Bloomington – a piece of Victorian opulence that you can hardly believe when you come from the flat agricultural level of Arrowsmith. The property is about 15 miles south-east, so a short trip where parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you do not collide with the wedding companies on Saturday night. I once made a guided tour there, and while the guide of Davis’s political influence faded, I just thought: “No joke, that’s more a museum of buckling, but the original furniture is really impressive. ‘
A few miles further, next to the campus of the Illinois State University in normal, it is McLean County Museum of History. I must admit, I was skeptical if a regional museum really has something to offer, but the exhibition about the beginnings of the railway in Illinois has completely tied me up. The building itself is a converted old depot, and parking is almost always free there – a rare consolation in an area where the land roads are sometimes a labyrinth of tractors and corn fields.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the path continues to Miller Park in Bloomington, one of the largest city parks in the Middle West. The lake there is not exactly a crystal clear alpine lake, but it offers enough space for a relaxed picnic, and the jogging track is perfect if you want to catch a little fresh air in the office after a long day. I remember organizing an improvised grill festival with a friend there in the summer – the only problem was that a curious duck band stole our sausage, which brought us to laugh, because we never thought about the animal world here.
A short detour to the south brings you to Kickapoo State Recreation Area, a true paradise for nature lovers, which is about 30 miles away. There are trails that lead through dense beech forests and a lake where you can swim in the summer – a real contrast to the endless corn fields that you otherwise see around Arrowsmith. I rented a kayak there once, and while I glid over the silent water, I thought this is the only thing that really distracts me from everyday life, apart from the occasional tractor noises in the background.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Illinois Railway Museum in Union, about 35 miles east. The museum is the largest railway museum in the world, and although I was never a great trainer, the collection of historical locomotives and wagons has completely knocked me around. Parking is a bit messy there, especially at weekends when model railway clubs hold their meetings, but this is a small price for the opportunity to sit in an old diesel and hear the husking of the engines – a sound that reminds me of the rural childhood when the tractors machined the field.
For a bit of culture and a bit of shopping, the path leads back to normal, where the Normal Corn Festival (if you are there in August) is a true feast of corn culture. I once tried a maize cake that was so dry that I almost thought he was a piece of tree bark – but the atmosphere, the laughing of the children and the local craftsmen who present their goods on stands make the whole an experience that should not be missed. And yes, parking at the main square is a bit of a fight, but this is part of the charm when you move between corn and carousel.
Be it the historical halls of David Davis-Mansion in the Kickapoo State Recreation Area enjoying nature or Normal Corn Festival absorbs the local charm – the surroundings of Arrowsmith offer more than just endless fields. For those looking for authentic experiences, these goals are a must, and they show that Arrowsmith Attractions far beyond the city boundaries.
This guide invites you to make a small but surprisingly self-contained ride through Arrowsmith – yes, this tiny spot in the heart of McLean County, which you would easily overlook if you weren't randomly looking for a place where time seems to tick a bit slower.
I prefer to start with the Arrowsmith Public Library because the building itself is a silent protest against the digital age. The Carnegie building from 1915 stands with its red brick façade and the high windows as an honorable guard over Main Street. I once borrowed a book about the history of grain mills, only to establish that the staff knows more about the local family stories than any Wikipedia entry. Parking is usually a Klacks – a small parking lot behind the town hall is enough as long as you are not there on Saturday night with the whole village, then this becomes a real patience game.
A short walk further Arrowsmith Grain Elevatorthat is probably the most iconic picture of the city. This massive wooden shaft, which has been collecting the grain of the surrounding fields since the 1920s, looks almost like a relic from another era, and I don't understand the hype about Instagram shots here, but the sound of the old conveyor belts has something calming – almost like a cradle song for farmers.
If you want a little community flair, then that's Arrowsmith Community Center That's right. I once experienced a local karaoke event where most participants could talk more about their harvest than about their singing career. The hall is simple, but the walls are decorated with pictures of year-market winners and old school classes – a perfect place to realize that everyone knows everyone here, and that's kind of charming, though slightly scary for newcomers.
A little away from the hustle Arrowsmith Historical Society Museumhoused in the former school building dating back to 1905. I found an old school book there that still wore the handwriting of teachers from the 1930s – a real piece of history that you don't find in every museum. The museum is small, but the curators are passionate and will be happy to tell you why the city has received its name from a former railway armor. Practically, there is no designated parking space here, but a few free places on the edge of the road usually suffice as long as you do not visit the barbecue next door.
Another highlight that I cannot leave is the United Methodist Church by Arrowsorgan, built in 1885. The Gothic architecture with the colourful glass windows is a real eye-catcher, and the Sunday divine service organ game once put me in the spell that I almost forgot that I wanted to look in for a short time. The interior is surprisingly well preserved, and the municipality is so friendly that they even offer you a piece of apple cake if you are still standing after the fair.
For those who wonder what else to see in Arrowsmith, here is a short overview of the Arrowsmith AttractionsI personally recommend: the library, the grain mill wonder, the community center, the mini-museum in the old school house and the historical church. Each of these places has its own little charm, and together they give a picture of a city that is small but with a proper portion of character.
At the end of the day, when the sun goes over the endless corn fields of Illinois, you might sit on a bench in the small town park and hear the distant rats of the combine harvesters. Then you will realize that Arrowsmith is not just a hotspot for adventure tourists, but that's exactly what makes the stimulus – a place where you can experience the real, unsightly middle country without a guide constantly whispering you into the ears of what you can not miss.
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