What makes Colfax sights so special is the unique mix of historical silence and the quiet drones of the railroad, which has been whining through the heart of Martin Township since the 1850s. I have always wondered why a place named after Vice President Schuyler Colfax hardly ever appears in guide lists – until I myself have travelled the dusty streets along the old Main St. and got the feeling of discovering a piece of forgotten Americana.
The city was built thanks to the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railway, and this is still felt today when you drive over the I‐74 or the US‐150 and are suddenly surrounded by vast corn fields that seem to almost overload the panorama. The few but charming shops in the centre – a café that serves more coffee than the local town hall, and an antique shop that tells more stories than the city library – are the true highlights for me.
When you arrive by train, get off at the small station, which is hardly more than a waiting house, and then walk a few minutes to the city square, where the old town hall still calls the official “welcome”. And yes, I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, in the shadow of Bloomington-Normal, Colfax offers landmarks an honest, almost rustic setting that you don't find every day.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Colfax, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first place I could not miss was that Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington – a small but surprisingly charming piece of wilderness that you would almost overlook if you don't accidentally drive past the 9-hour route of Colfax. I spent a day there because I thought a zoo was a zoo, but the mix of local species and a few exotic birds was a bit enthusiastic about me. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the parking lot turns into a battlefield of families with strollers and overcrowded vans.
A short trip to normal leads directly to David Davis Mansion, a magnificent estate from the Reconstruction era, which today serves as a museum. I have to admit that I don't understand the hype about old manor houses – the furniture is beautiful, but the whole “we-are-here-the-large storyteller” feeling can sometimes seem a bit exaggerated. Nevertheless, when you see the original wallpapers and the view over the valley from the balcony, you almost feel like a politician from the 1800s who just concludes an important deal. The way to the house is well signposted, and parking right in front of the main entrance is free, which was a small victory for me.
Only a few blocks further McLean County Museum of Historythat offers more than just dusty artefacts. I discovered a special exhibition about the region's railway history, which reminded me of why I've even moved to the Middle West – the endless tracks that go through the country, and the stories of people who have built their lives around them. The museum has a small café that serves surprisingly good coffee, and parking is almost always easy thanks to a wide street.
For those who prefer to set the legs in motion, the Constitution a real secret tip. This 45-km-long cycle and hiking trail stretches through fields, small villages and along the Illinois River. I tried the trail on a windy autumn afternoon; the route is well maintained, and the signs are clear enough that you do not have to constantly grab the phone. There are several free parking spaces at the entry points, but at the popular sections such as the “Prairie View” it can be a bit crowded on the weekend.
Another highlight I didn't want to miss was that Illinois Railway Museum in Union. The museum is the largest railway museum in the world and houses an impressive collection of steam locomotives, historical wagons and even a few restored Intercity trains. I spent a little time admiring the old locomotives and wondering why no one travels so romantically with the train. Parking is possible directly at the museum’s main building, and the staff is surprisingly friendly – they can even take a picture of themselves with an old locomotive if you ask nicely.
A little further, but definitely worth a day trip, this is Kickapoo State Recreation Area in the neighboring LaSalle County. The lake is ideal for fishing, and the hiking trails through the beech forests offer a welcome change to the flat Middle West. I made a picnic there, while a few young people played loudly Badminton – an image that captures the mix of rest and living everyday life perfectly. Parking is free at the main entrance, but at weekends it can be full, so better early there.
Last but not least, Bloomington Center for the Arts not missing, a modern cultural centre that regularly offers exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances. I was there by chance because I had seen a flyer for a local jazz session, and was immediately tied up by the atmosphere – the open design, the high ceilings and the friendly visitors who seem to all seek a little more culture in their lives. The center has a small café serving inexpensive espresso, and parking is usually easy as long as you don't get right after a big event.
When you explore the surroundings of Colfax, you can quickly discover that the region has more to offer than just endless corn fields. From zoos to historic manor houses to extended trails and railway museums – diversity is impressive, and all this is just a cat jump from the Colfax Attractions removed. So whoever is in the area next time should take the places mentioned in the itinerary – even if you stay a bit cynical, because the real heart of Illinois beats there.
Whether adventurers, connoisseurs or culture lovers – in Colfax, everyone finds a small piece of midwestern charm, which you hardly find in the guides of large cities. I have to admit, my first stop was the old railway depot that today Colfax Historical Museum house. There, old locomotive models, yellowed schedules and a few dusty boxes of photos are stacked, showing how the city was once a pulsating hub. I almost felt like a time traveler until it became clear to me that parking there on Saturday morning is a little adventure for itself – a few free places you will find only when you arrive early enough.
A short walk further leads to Colfax Public Library, a Carnegie library from 1915, which has still preserved its original reading room. I borrowed a book about the history of Martin Township and enjoyed the sticky wooden floors – a real nostalgia experience that you don't find every weekend in a mega city. The library is small, but the friendly librarian, who gave me a smile while she pointed the way to the reading room, made the visit a small highlight.
If you have enough of dusty archives, a detour to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The neo-Gothic nave from the 1880s stands proudly on the edge of the village and is an example of religious architecture that shaped the rural Illinois. I got a little devotion there – no joke, that was surprisingly soothing, and the organ sounded like she just got a new pipe. A short note: the church is open at any time, but if you want to visit the interior, it is polite to be quiet.
A bit further north Colfax Community Park, a place I like to call the “heart” of the city. Here there is a playground, a few baseball-diamonds and a small lake where ducks shun – yes, that is exactly what you expect when you are looking for a small but fine park in Illinois. I made a picnic with friends there, and while we complained about the weather, an elderly man came by and told us about the annual summer festivals that have been taking place here for decades. Parking is almost always a children's game, except when the annual “Colfax Summer Fest” runs – then the field becomes quickly a car park for campers.
Another must that is often overlooked is that Colfax Water Tower. This rusty colossus protrudes over the fields and is a popular photo motif for Instagram users looking for a “authentic” midwestern shot. I did a selfie there while a tractor passed in the background – the picture now has an honorary place in my digital album. The tower is not visible, but a short walk around the grounds offers a good overview of the surrounding landscape.
For those who really want to taste the rural heritage, there is Colfax Grain Elevator on the edge of the city. The solid wooden building is a symbol of the agricultural economy, which has been the backbone here for generations. I stood there once in the summer, while a truck full of corn came in, and heard the rhythmic crawls of the metal bands – a sound that is otherwise only heard at farm fairs. The terrain is publicly accessible, but please keep distance to the active areas; the operators are not just enthusiastic about curious tourists who want to take photos.
And because I didn't just want to list sights, I still have a trip to Martin made. The building is inconspicuous, but inside you will find a small archive with documents to establish the municipality. I found an old land register that shows the original land boundaries – a real treasure for historical lovers. Parking is a klack here, and the staff is always ready to share a few anecdotes when asking politely.
When you stroll through the streets of Colfax, you will notice that the Colfax Attractions not in shiny glass facades or loud advertising boards, but in the small, well-preserved pieces of a past era that still shape daily life. I enjoyed my time here because I had the feeling that every place has a story that only waits to be discovered by a curious visitor – and that's exactly what I appreciate about this inconspicuous spot Illinois.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
