Visit Ellsworth McLean Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small but charming Ellsworth in Illinois! Experience the historic city centre with the old court building and St. John's church. Walk in the park of Abraham Lincoln or visit the Lover's Leap Park for a beautiful view over the surroundings. Eat in one of the local restaurants, such as the Ellsworth Caf or the Rustic Hearth.
What makes Ellsworth sights so special is the almost ironic mixture of historical silence and the quiet noise of modern country roads that will welcome you in the heart of Dawson Township, McLean County. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time – a relic from the 1880s, which once formed the backbone of the region and today served as a photo background for Instagram adventurers. The city itself was founded in 1869, named after a local politician, and has since produced more field beetles than city heroes.
When you get out of Bloomington by car, you just follow I‐55 until exit 165; The label “Ellsworth” almost looks like a promise that you can’t redeem completely because the actual highlights are rather in the small alleys and the only diner that still serves pancakes that taste better than what you find in the tourist guides.
I don’t always understand the hype about the “small cities with charm”, but here, between the corn fields and the quiet churches, you can feel an authenticity that is in vain in the crowded metropolises. And yes, if you ask yourself how to come here, a short stop at the local gas station – this is the real adventure that Ellsworth has to offer.
This guide invites you to take a look behind the inconspicuous facade of Ellsworth – not because I am a fan of small towns, but because I have discovered a few really strange corners that you otherwise missed.
At the front, when you take the main road, it falls Town Hall with his cracking watch in the tower in the eye. I have to admit, I don't understand the hype about old rat houses, but here the thing has character: The clock beats to the full hour loud enough to wake the cow's heart in the parade, and the interior is a museum for forgotten municipal council records. Parking is usually a Klacks, except on the first Friday of the month, when the town hall hosts a village festival and the road becomes an improvised parking lot for tractors.
Only a few houses on the United Methodist Church, a brick building dating from 1889, which has more church windows than a medium-sized art museum. I once took part in a Sunday worship service – no joke, the church sings hymns as if they were in a rock concert, and then there are always freshly baked cookies that taste better than most town bakeries. So if you are looking for a place where you get both spiritual development and calorie bombs, you are right here.
A short detour leads you to Public libraryhoused in a former classroom. The shelves are full of local history books, which you can only find in dusty archives. I discovered an old photo album that documented the founding of Ellsworth in 1869 – a real treasure for history lovers. The staff is friendly, but slightly annoyed when you ask for the latest bestseller; this is more about the preservation of the heritage than current bestsellers.
If you are looking for a place to relax in the summer, the Ellsworth Park That's right. The lawn is not always perfectly mowed, but that makes the charm. Every year, the Ellsworth Fall Festival takes place – a colourful mess of carousels, local crafts stands and a grill station that sells more meat than the city dwellers can eat. I won a pumpkin competition there once, because I accidentally submitted too little pumpkin; the audience was thrilled and I got a free piece of apple cake. Ellsworth Attractions how this park shows that life here is not boring despite its size.
Another highlight that not everyone knows is the old Grain silo on the railway line. The Silo was built in 1912 and today serves as a small museum for agricultural equipment. I saw an original tractor from the 1930s, which still works – at least when you put it in motion with a strong thrust. The museum is free, but you should bring a little patience, because the tour only takes place if the owner is just looking to tell the story.
For nature lovers it is worth a trip along the County Road 1500N, which leads through wide prerias and passes past the banks of the Sangamon River. The path is not signposted, but this is part of the adventure: you simply follow the sound of the grills and the scent of fresh hay. I once saw a deer there watching me from a safe distance before he disappeared in the high grass. Parking is available at the small resting places, but they are often occupied by tractors, so better to come early.
Last but not least, a short note on Dawson Township Hall, which does not have much to offer, but serves as a meeting point for local citizens. Here are the monthly “Town Hall Meetings” where you can learn more about the latest discussions on road repairs than in any newspaper. I have once followed a heated debate on the colour of the new signs of traffic – a real drama that captivated me more than some Broadway show.
At the end of the day, I feel that Ellsworth is small, but every corner has a story to tell – if you are willing to invest a little time and accept the local peculiarities. And honestly, this is exactly what I love in such places: they are not perfect, but they are real.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, an imposing house from the Reconstruction era, which is today a museum. I must admit, I was skeptical if an old mansion really has something to offer, but the original preserved furniture and the surprisingly well-preserved library have completely knocked me around – especially because I accidentally heard a guided tour of the famous judge who once knew Abraham Lincoln. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the property is then overrun by wedding societies.
A short detour to Union brought me to Illinois Railway Museum, which is probably the largest railway museum in the USA. I have seen more locomotives there than I can count on trains in my whole life, and the sound of the steaming machines is a real ear scare – no joke, that's almost therapeutic. I even put myself on an old wagon and made a photo that now hangs in my living room because I thought that was a cool souvenir. Admission is free if you are lucky to participate in one of the rare “Open-Day” events, otherwise it costs a few dollars, but this is hardly a topic when you hold the story in your hands.
Next south, almost in the heart of McLean County, this is McLean County Museum of History. I saw an exhibition about the pioneering period that reminded me why I came here at all – to hear the stories that are not in every guide. The interactive children's department is a bit cheesy, but I've been having a good time trying an old typewriter. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, which is mostly empty, as long as the annual “Heritage Festival” does not run.
A bit further west, near Normal, this is Kickapoo State Recreation Area. I spent a few hours with my bike on the gravel roads and enjoyed the untouched nature – a real contrast to the endless corn fields that you otherwise see here. The lake is not huge, but fishing is surprisingly good, and I even caught a small pike I immediately released because I didn't want to feel like being a tourist that exploits nature. Access is regulated by a small, paid parking lot, but the money is worth the money if you are looking for peace.
A short jump back to the city brought me to Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. I was there at a local jazz session, which I had expected to be a “small bar atmosphere”, but the acoustics were so good that I almost thought I was in one of the famous New York clubs. The bar serves surprisingly good cocktails, and the staff is friendly, albeit slightly revised – no wonder, considering that the center has a full program all year round. Parking is a bit tricky because the center has no own parking, but the public garages nearby are usually free as long as you don't come on Friday night.
Another highlight I didn't want to leave is that Busey Woods, a forest area maintained by the University of Illinois. I made a walk there that reminded me of the old walking paths of my childhood, only that here the signs are more modern and the paths are better maintained. There's a small visitor center that looks like a few brochures – I found a map with the best viewing points that I will use later on the next visit. The entrance is free, and parking is right at the entrance where a few trees donate shade if the weather suddenly changes.
When Ellsworth Attractions looking, you have to say goodbye to the idea that everything can only be found in the small town itself. The surroundings of Ellsworth, Dawson Township, McLean, Illinois, offer a colourful mix of historical splendour, industrial heritage, natural experience and cultural flair – all with a touch of local peculiarity that you only get here. So, the next time you start the engine, you should roll out the map and unleash these places – this is the true adventure that this region has to offer.
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