What makes Forsyth Sights so special is the silent way history and modernity are struggling with each other. I remember coming to the little town for the first time – a few decades after its founding in 1854, when the railway line from Chicago to St. Louis stopped here and the village was named after the then Foreign Minister John Forsyth. Today Forsyth is located in the heart of Hickory Point Township, Macon County, and looks like a well kept secret between the fields of corn and soybeans.
When you arrive by car, follow I‐72, which leads you directly to the centre; the few parking spaces at the town hall are short, but this is part of the charm. Those who prefer to take the train can get off at the nearby Macon station and land here with a short Uber trip – no joke, that's faster than waiting for the bus.
I have to admit, I don’t always understand the hype about the “small city vibes”, but the friendly faces of the inhabitants who proudly tell of their story make the stay really great. And yes, if you ask where you get coffee in the evening, just look at Main Street – there is a café that has more charm than some hipster spot in Chicago. For those who want to experience a piece of real Illinois, Forsyth's attractions are a perfect starting point before going to Springfield or Peoria.
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The first stop I never miss is that Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield – a place where history becomes almost tangible when you open the huge, slightly cracking doors and stumble from one wall to the next exhibit. I've read more about the man there than I've ever thought necessary, and yet it feels like every time you discover a new detail that has escaped you before. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Friday night after the lecture about the 13-piece Lincoln series – then the car park becomes a battlefield.
Only a few blocks further Old State Capitol, a cozy building of red sandstone that has more stories to tell than a whole Netflix-Binge-Marathon. I don't quite understand the hype about the stone steps, but the creeping terrain you hear at the ascent has something soothing romantic – almost as if you were walking through a lively history book. The entrance is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are a distant relative of Lincoln.
A short detour to Dana-Thomas House – a Frank‐Lloyd‐Wright masterpiece that looks like an architect had projected a dream of glass and wood into reality. I was there on a rainy afternoon, and the light that fell through the colourful windows made the house appear almost like a living artwork. The tour is a bit dry, but when you discover the hidden details, you feel like a detective in a design criterion. Parking is at the rear, but the sign “Only for visitors” is more of a suggestion than a law.
If you have enough of historic buildings, the path continues to Henson Robinson Zoo. I have revived my childhood there with a giraffe-Selfie – no joke, the animal actually stole my phone almost. The zoo is small, but charming, and the animal nurses like to tell anecdotes you never hear. A little hint: The café serves the best hot dogs in the city, and this is a reason enough to watch over more often, even if you want to see the Elephant House animal enclosure.
A bit further north, at the edge of Springfield, lies Lake Springfield, a popular spot for anglers, joggers and all who want to catch some fresh air. I once tried to rent a canoe, just to find out that the staff would rather chat about the history of the lake than give the paddle. Nevertheless, the water is clear enough to see the reflections of the surrounding trees, and the picnic area is ideal if you want to enjoy a sandwich after a long day at the museum.
A jump to the south brings you to Illinois Railway Museum in Union, about an hour drive from Forsyth. The museum is a paradise for railway freaks and for those who wonder why trains were so loud and majestic. I met an old diesel locomotive driver there who told me that the sound of the pipe used to be a “voice of freedom” – a bit cheesy, but somehow fitting. Parking is generous, and the museum almost makes visitors feel they would travel through time.
Only a few miles further lies Decatur, where the Scovill Zoo waiting for visitors. I was there on a hot summer day and found the monkeys that made fun of the visitors especially entertaining. The zoo is not huge, but animal care is top, and the staff is always ready to share a bit of insider knowledge – for example, that the hippo “Bubbles” is secretly the favourite food of the caregivers. Parking is at the main entrance, but it can be tight on weekends, so better to come early.
Another highlight in Decatur is that Children’s Museum of Illinois. I visited the museum with my niece and was surprised how much fun you can have as an adult if you immerse yourself in interactive exhibitions that are actually intended for children. The exhibition “Science Lab” makes you almost forget that you wanted to drink only a coffee. The museum has a small outdoor area where you can enjoy an ice cream in good weather – a perfect finish after a day full of history and animal observations.
Whether you are the venerable halls of Forsyth Attractions wants to explore or rather prefer the animal adventures in nearby zoos – the environment of Forsyth, Hickory Point Township and Macon offers a colourful mix of history, culture and nature that enthuses every modern traveler and at the same time brings a little to the spun.
The history of Forsyth begins long before the first highway stop I've ever seen – it lies deeply buried in the smell of hay and the sound of old steam locomotives that are still in the minds of the locals.
My personal favorite place is this Forsyth Train Depot, a bustling relic from the 1880s, which today serves as a mini museum. I learned more about the history of the railway than I would ever find in a school book, and the best thing: parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't show up there on Friday night after a concert, then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and pedestrians.
If you follow Forsyth Attractions Look, you can't leave Main Street. The street is spiced with small boutiques that have more charm than an Instagram filter, and cafes where the Barista tells you with an eye-catcher that her latte is “just half as strong as the local beer”. I once tried a cake there that was so dry that I had to redefine almost the word “muffin” – but hey, this is part of the adventure.
A short detour to Hickory Point Park gives you the necessary green portion you need after a day full of city flair. The trails are well marked, the picnic place area is usually free, and the only problem is the occasional duck stadium that develops in the middle of the summer into a true water playground for the little ones. I remember once trying to shoot a photo of a duck couple, just to realize that they had more interest in my sandwich than on my camera.
The Macon County Fairgrounds is the epic heartpiece for every year when the weather plays. I experienced the annual County Fair for the first time – sugar cane, carousel, and a pig competition where the animals got more applause than most local politicians. Parking is a little adventure here: the main parking places fill themselves faster than a popcorn stand on the movie night, so it's better to come early, otherwise you'll have to slip through between a tractor and a food truck.
Another jewel is the St. James Catholic Church, whose gothic windows and sticking wooden benches convey a sense of timelessness. I took part in a choir sample there – the result was a crooked “Gloria”, which nevertheless sounded nicely, because the community was just too friendly to criticize you.
For those who prefer to roll in books, Forsyth Public Library a quiet retreat. The shelves are full of local history books, and the staff knows every visitor by name – a bit creepy, but also soothing when you look for a long day for a place where you don't have to say goodbye immediately.
Once in the summer the town turns for Forsyth Festival in a colorful drive from live music, crafts and a barbecue competition, where the local hobby chefs try to solve the best BBQ puzzle. I have eaten a piece of Pulled Pork there, which was so spicy that I almost had to redefine the word “sharf” – and all that while I tried to convince the DJ that “80s hits” are not just a joke.
Lastly, there is Old Town Hall, which today serves as a community center. The old wooden beams tell stories about city council meetings that had more drama than any reality show. I visited a yoga course where the teacher spoke more about the history of the building than about the Asanas – but that gave the whole a certain charm.
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