What makes Stewardson sights so special is the silent determination of a small town, which has hardly been released from its railroad since the 1870s. I remember driving for the first time by train from Kankakee to Shelby County – the rat of the wheels was almost the only sound that broke through the endless corn fields surrounding the Prairie Township. The founders, mainly German and Scottish settlers, laid the foundation stone for a village that today counts hardly more than a few dozen houses and a post-office-like building, but sprayed a lot of character.
If you come by car over Highway 130, stop at the only intersection where an old wood shed still carries the echo of past harvests. I have to admit, I don’t understand the whole hype about “small city romanticism”, but the creeping sign “Welcome to Stewardson” has something unpredictable that makes me smile every time. People here are honest – not a buckling taste, just a firm handshake and a short chat about the weather, which is as changeable here as the politics in the State Capitol. And while most visitors just stroll through the village, I find that a walk along the old railway line, where the grass reaches almost to the hip, reveals the true heart of Stewardson – a place where history does not live in museums, but in every dusty barn.
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The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Shelby County Historical Museum in Shelbyville – a place where the history of the Middle Illinois is presented so dry that you almost feel like inhaling a piece of dust. Nevertheless, the museum has a few surprising highlights, such as the original tools of the first farmers who still smell a bit of hay here. I remember stumbled as a child into the exhibition about the railway department and suddenly was fascinated by an old telegraph button – a moment that showed me that history is not always just dusty documents. Parking is almost always a Klack at the museum's precinct, except on Sundays, when the local senior group organizes a picnic and attracts places like a magnet.
A short detour to the south leads to Shelby County Courthouse, an imposing brick building that says more about the ambitions of the founders than about the current jurisdiction. The dome is a real eye-catcher, and if you're lucky, you get the weekly “Justiz-Bingo” where the judges seem to randomly call out numbers – a spectacle that I could never fully understand, but that still has a certain charm. The courtyard is freely accessible, and parking is almost always easy thanks to the wide street in front of the building.
For nature lovers there is Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area, a huge piece of wilderness, located about 20 kilometers from Stewardson. Here you can not only fish, but also observe birds that you only know from bird guides. I once discovered a rare redfish splash there, while I tried to unravel my fishing rod – a small victory over the nature that makes me proud to this day. The access is well signposted, and parking is free at the main exit point, as long as you don't come with the hunting company on weekends, then it becomes a bit fuller.
Only half an hour further southwest Lake Shelbyville, an artificial lake that becomes a bathing lake in summer and an ice-fishing in winter. The lake is famous for its clear waters and the numerous boat docks, which are arranged like a small village on the banks. I once rented a kayak and enjoyed the sun over the water, while an older couple, beside me, chatted loudly about the “good old times” – a picture that captures the mixture of calm and living community perfectly. Parking at the main pier is usually free, but on holidays it can come to a small mess when all families arrive at the same time.
Another must is that Shelby County Fairgrounds, which becomes the pulsating centre of rural life every year in August. The Fair is a collection of cattle rearing, carousel and a portion of nostalgia, which is hardly found in other parts of the state. I have once joined the chicken run and almost won the price for the fastest chicken – a triumph that has changed my view of competitions forever. The terrain is huge, so parking at the main entrance is enough for a whole weekend, as long as you are not lucky to come at the same time as the local fire department.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the state, this is Illinois Railway Museum in Union. It is the largest railway museum in the USA and houses an impressive collection of steam locomotives that can still run. I spent there a day where I was allowed to see an old steam engine from the closest place, while an enthusiastic guide explained why the lubricating oil tanks still smell like “first” oil. The museum is easily accessible via the old road, and parking is free directly in front of the main entrance – a rare luck in this area.
Last but not least, Illinois Prairie Trail not to forget, a hiking and cycling path that leads through the gentle hills and fields around Stewardson. The path is well developed, and I have often sorted my thoughts there while I was walking over the wide golden ears. On a particularly windy day, a passing tractor almost surrounded me, which brought me back the memory of the involuntary power of nature – a small but impressive moment that makes the trail one of my favorite places. Access is possible at several points, and parking at the trailheads is usually easy, except for weekends when the local groups occupy the field.
Whether you’re looking for history, nature, water or railroads, the surroundings of Stewardson offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveller and at the same time makes a little bit of fun. The places mentioned show that there is more to discover here than one would suspect at first glance, and together they form a small network of experiences that make the region alive. So the next time you drive over the country roads, you should Stewardson Attractions do not miss – they are the true heart of this inconspicuous spot in the Middle Illinois.
This guide invites you to make a small but surprisingly self-contained ride through Stewardson – yes, just the tiny village in the Prairie Township, which you would easily overlook if you don't accidentally miss Highway 130.
My personal favorite spot is that Stewardson Community Building, a carous brick house dating back to 1915, which today serves as a venue for everything from bingo nights to weddings. I remember a summer evening when I experienced an improvised jazz jam session with a friend there – the acoustics is amazing considering that the building was never built for concerts. Parking is practically right outside the door as long as you do not come on Saturday night, then fight for a place with the local seniors who hold their weekly card games.
A short walk down the main road The Stewardson Public Library. This tiny library has no more than a few shelves, but the selection of local history books is amazing. I found an old photo album that documents the foundation of the village – a real treasure for history lovers. If you want to borrow a book, simply bring your ID; the staff is friendly, but not just enthusiastic about tourists who whisper loudly.
Go on United Methodist Church, whose red bricks and the small bell play remind a little of the rural churches of earlier. I once participated in a Sunday worship service, only to find out that the community discusses more about the weather than about the Bible – a charming piece of real midwestern reality. The interior is simple, but the benches are surprisingly comfortable if you need a break after a long car ride.
If you have the typical image of Illinois in your head – endless corn fields, a silvery shimmering sky and a huge grain silo – then you have the Stewardson Grain Elevator already found. This monument of agriculture has been on the edge of the train station since the 1950s and is a popular photo stop for Instagram users looking for the “rustic vibe”. I once saw an old tractor standing in the shadow of the Silos as if it were a relic from another era.
A little bit of nature? The Stewardson Park is small, but it has everything you need for a relaxed picnic: a baseball court, a few benches and a playground that offers more rusty chains than modern swings. I started a spontaneous baseball match with native teenagers there in the summer – the result was a chaotic but incredibly funny game where I had more sand in my hair than in my face.
A place I rarely mention, because it doesn’t sound “passive” is the Stewardson Cemetery. The calm atmosphere and the artfully carved gravestones give a deep insight into the family history of the village. I found the tomb of my great-grandfather who died in 1912 in a nearby train accident – a short but impressive moment that makes the history of the place more tangible.
For those who want to learn more about local history, there is old school housetoday as a small museum of Stewardson Attractions served. The exhibition is minimalist: old school boards, a dusty globe and a few photos of class trips from the 1960s. I found a handwritten letter that was written by a former student to his family – a real look into the everyday life of past generations.
Last but not least a short trip to Prairie Township Halljust a few minutes outside the village centre. Here you will find the weekly meeting of the local council of citizens discussing everything from road improvements to the latest rumors about the new fast restaurant in the neighboring city. The building is simple, but the atmosphere is authentic – here you can feel the pulse of rural Illinois.
So, next time you go through the heart of Shelby County and want to have a little real, unprecedented little town experience, turn off the engine, get off and get off from the small but fine ones Stewardson Attractions surprise – I promise you will find more than you expect.
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