For centuries, Olney has been attracting landmarks to people who believe they could feel the true heart of the Middle West – and I must admit that the rumor has a grain of truth. The city was founded in 1855, named after an Irish politician, and has since experienced more field battles with the economy than with real soldiers. I like to drive over the old route 33, which here sounds like a sleeping giant through the flat land of Olney Township; a short stop at Highway-45 lets me quickly turn into the small but proud municipality of Richland County.
When I stroll through the main road, you can immediately feel that people here have a little too much pride in their barbecue pliers – no joke, the BBQ scenes are almost a local cult. I don't quite understand the hype for the annual Corn Festival, but the colorful driving alongside the old town hall is really great if you want to enjoy the country life in full. The old brick buildings tell stories of railroads that once stopped here, and I can't imagine how the first train drivers are in alignment with the dusty tracks.
A short detour to nearby Lake Olney (yes, this is not a mistake) offers a quiet backdrop that you really appreciate after a long day in the car. And while I'm sitting here, I think that anyone who explores Olney quickly discovers that the true Olney sights are not in brochures, but in the conversations with the locals who tell you with an eye-catcher why life here tastes better than any gourmet burglar in Chicago.
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The first place I'm always thinking of a bit of nature near Olney is the Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area – a huge piece of moist green that seems to host more ducks than people. I once tried to take a photo of a particularly magnificent beaver, just to find out that the animal caught me with a glance, who said: “You are not invited.” Parking is usually a Klacks at the main entrance, as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with a horde fishing enthusiasts; then the field becomes a small battlefield of SUVs and picnic baskets. The trails are well marked, and if you're lucky, you'll hear the quiet whistle of the river, which is almost like a background noise to your own breath.
A few miles further lies the Olney State Park, which I like to call the “hidden jewel” because it doesn’t find every tourist right away. The campfire field there is a place where I once organized an improvised barbecue – with a grill I had built from an old metal box, and a pile of marshmallows that were burned more than roasted. The lake in the park is not huge, but the water is clear enough to see your own feet when you venture to swim. I found that the car park (a simple shed with a few parking spaces) is usually empty, except when the local high school stops her graduation party there – then you need to park a few blocks and walk away.
If you prefer to travel on two wheels, the Cedar Creek Trail will take you through a mosaic of fields, small forests and a few abandoned barns that tell more stories than any museum. I remember a sunny afternoon when I was suddenly followed by a curious fox who apparently thought I was a very tasty piece of wild. The trail is well developed, but the signs can sometimes be somewhat confusing; I almost lost myself in a field path that led directly to a corn field that was just harvested. A short stop at the small wooden bench on the river bank, however, always offers a welcome break, and parking at the trailhead is usually easy as long as you do not come to the high season.
Another highlight I expect every year with a light sigh of anticipation is the Richland County Fairgrounds. During the County Fair, the whole area turns into a colorful mess of carousels, cattle upgrades and a lot of people eating more hot dogs than healthy. I once tried to steal a piece of pumpkin pipe – an attempt that quickly failed thanks to a vigilant security force. The parking spaces are huge, but on the Friday afternoons it can be a small traffic chaos, so you better arrive early if you don't want to be in traffic. The atmosphere is a mix of nostalgia and modern hustle and bustle, and that is exactly what I love in this place.
For those who are willing to drive a bit further, a trip to the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest is worthwhile. The rock formations there look like they cut someone out of a science fiction film – and that's not a joke. I once made a picnic there while a storm passed over the valley; the result was a spectacular natural spectacle that I will never forget. The entrance to the park is well signposted, and parking is usually sufficient as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with a group of hikers. The trails are challenging, but the view of the highest points compensated for every effort.
The St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a historic building just outside Olney, offers a real photo motif with its red brick facade and the artistic glass windows. I took part in a Sunday fair, just to see that the organ has more sound than my entire music collection at home. Parking right in front of the church is practical, but you have to share with a few cars that come to weekly nights. The interior is cool and quiet – perfect if you are looking for a short moment of reflection.
Last but not least, I must not mention the old Olney Grain Elevator, an imposing building that guards over the fields like a silent guard. I took a photo that I posted later on Instagram, just to see that the picture was overlaid by a passing tractor – a real “Instagram-Fail”, but that makes the charm. The terrain is open to the public, and parking is usually not a problem as long as you are not there during the harvest time when the trucks are fully loaded in and out.
Whether you're looking for isolated natural paradises, historical buildings or a colorful festival area – the surroundings of Olney have something to offer for everyone. My personal favorite places show that the region has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance, and they all contribute to the Olney Attractions a small but fine adventure for every traveller.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Olney – yes, just the Olney that you can easily overlook because it is not on the list of “must-see” cities. I have to admit, I was initially skeptical, but the old, fooling gate to Richland County Historical Museum pulled me into his spell right away. The museum is housed in the venerable, former court building, which still seems to have the echo of former negotiations. There you will find not only dusty documents, but also a collection of artifacts that have rural life in the 19th century. Make century alive – from old agricultural machinery to handmade furniture. I almost felt like a time traveler, until a bored visitor, beside me, said loudly that it was “only for old people” that I could only sneak because the museum is doing exactly that: it does not let the past die completely.
A short walk further (and a bit of luck that the weather was not just a tropical storm) leads to Olney Carnegie Library. This library is a real jewel from the era when philanthropists still distributed books in small cities to promote “mass formation”. The white façade and the high windows give her an almost sacral flair – I felt there almost obligated to borrow a book, just to have the feeling of doing something cultivated. Practical: Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly reading festival takes place and everyone tries to get a place.
If you have enough of dusty archives, that is Olney City Park exactly the counterpart you need. The little lake there is not the Grand Canyon, but it reflects the sun so beautiful that I almost forgot that I was just here to shoot a few photos. The route around the lake is perfect for a short walk, and the local ducks seem as enthusiastic about tourists as I am – they dare to venture directly on the visitors as they wanted to say: “Hey, you are welcome here, but we have discovered the water first.” I even made a picnic there with a local baker who sold me a piece of “Olney cake” that is supposed to come after an old family recipe. No joke, that was really good.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is what the locals lovingly White City name – the historic city centre with its bright white brick buildings. There is more graffiti art here than in some of a big city, and the small boutiques sell handmade soaps that allegedly contain the water of the nearby lake. I went there a little bit because I thought I found a café serving “local specialties” and instead I landed in an antique shop that had more stories to tell than the museum. The owner, an elderly man with a mustache, told me that the neighborhood was in the early 20th. Century was celebrated as a “white miracle” – a bit exaggerated, but hey, this is Olney.
A short detour to Olney Public Square brings you back to the heart of the city. There is the iconic water tower, a relic from the 1920s, which today serves more as a photo motif. I did a few selfies there, while a street musician fed an old country ballad – that was almost like turning a scene from an indie film, only that the main actors were a 70-year-old man and a rusty tower. And yes, the word “Olney Sights” appears here almost like a mantra, because at this point you have the feeling that every corner could fill another chapter in a guide.
At the end of my little Odyss Lake through Olney, I have to Olney Community Center mention. Local events take place regularly – from art exhibitions to small concerts. I was just about to check out the next event when an older gentleman pointed out that the center was the “heart of the city” because everyone here comes together to celebrate, discuss and sometimes jam a bit. I then signed up for a spontaneous dance course because I thought it was a good way to get to know the locals better. Result: I have won two new friends and a few embarrassing dance steps that I prefer to remember.
So, next time you ask about Illinois and ask yourself if you should make a trip to Olney – yes, do that. The city has more to offer than one would suspect at first sight, and I promise you that you will end up with a smile and maybe return a few new stories in your luggage.
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