Noble Richland Illinois - Top Sights 

• Noble Sights – A trip through Noble Township in the heart of Richland County
• Noble Sights & Attractions
• - Public library
• - simple
• - Noble Attractions

Noble Sights – A trip through Noble Township in the heart of Richland County

What makes Noble sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here snoring at every street corner. I remember driving over the old railway bridge that was built in 1872 to connect Richland County's cereal fields to St. Louis's markets for the first time – a piece of rusty romance that today is crossed more by tractors than by trains. The creation of Noble in 1857 was a classic example of the “Pioniere-auf‐dem‐Field” mantra: farmers who pushed their carts full of hope and corn-piston into an undescribed chapter. Who comes here quickly realizes that the township is not only a map sign, but a small network of family businesses, a church that has been singing the same psalms every Sunday since 1889, and a town hall that collects more dust than a museum. I take Highway 34 from Bloomington because he leads me directly into the heart of the village, and when I turn into the main street, I see the old post office, which now serves as a café – no joke, the coffee there is almost as strong as the stories that tell the locals. For those who are looking for the authentic Central Land, the Noble Sights offer a scenery that is neither exaggerated tourist nor completely forgotten; She's just... honest.

Noble Sights & Attractions

Even at the first glance at the venerable, slightly flaming town hall of Noble it becomes clear why I am underestimating this town again and again – it smells like history, but tastes like fresh coffee in the back room of the Public library. I remember my first visit there: The library is a tiny palace from 1915, completely made of red brick, and the only thing that sounds louder than the old wooden steps, is the murmuring of visitors who bend over the latest book by Stephen King. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturdays, when the local seniors hold their weekly bingo rounds and suddenly every parking lot is occupied by rollers.

A short walk takes you to the Noble Methodist Church, a stone relic from the 1880s, which has more church windows than a medieval cathedral. I once experienced a Sunday service concert there – the organ sounded as if someone had tried to play a jazz solo on a church tower. The community is friendly, but if you ask for a glass of wine, you only get a glass of tap water and a knowing smile.

Further north, where the old railway line still knows the quiet ratter of its rails, is the Noble Grain Elevator – a monumental wooden shed that store more grain than the city needs to eat. I spent a day there because I thought a look behind the scenes of a grain store was “authentic”. Instead, I got a lead from a man who seemed to tell more about corn than about his own family. Nevertheless, the panorama over the endless fields is simple breathtaking, especially at sunset.

If you're looking for a place to rest your feet, the Noble Community Park is the real heartpiece. The baseball court is small, but the local teams play with a passion that you can only see in the big leagues. I once made a picnic there while a 12-year-old pitcher threw a fastball that almost crushed my sandwich. The car park is an open field, so bring some blankets, if you're looking for a short nap.

Another jewel among Noble Attractions is the Noble Historical Society Museum located in the former school building. There are old class photos that reveal more about the fashion of the 1950s than any fashion magazine. I found an old school uniform there and tried it shorthand – that was a fashionable disaster, but the locals laughed cordially and offered me a freshly baked apple cake.

The local Fire Department has not only red fire trucks, but also a small museum that documents the history of the voluntary fire brigade of Noble. I remember how a former firefighter told me that the old inflatable, still in the basement, was once used to rescue cows from flooded fields. No joke, this thing is bigger than an average small car.

Finally, a small tip: If you are looking for a place to talk to the locals, go to the “Red Barn Diner” on the main road. The coffee is strong enough to wake up after a long walk through the corn fields, and the service knows every visitor by name – at least until you come next time and suddenly a new name is on the table. So, grab your curiosity, take a bit of patience and let Noble surprise you – the next time you're here, I could just be exploring the old water mill lock.