Visit Chrisman Edgar Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Chrisman in the US state of Illinois! Here you will find traditional farm houses, a quiet environment and the historic Court House. Do not miss the annual Country Fair in August! A must for lovers of American rural life culture.
Honestly, if you're looking for a place that has more history than you can swallow in a museum in a day, then Chrisman's sights are just right – at least if you're interested in the small but stubborn little town in the heart of Ross Township. Founded in 1868, Chrisman has its roots in the railroad rush when the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railway stopped here and suddenly the field full of corn became a hub for traders. I have the feeling that the old brick buildings still carry the whisper of the early pioneers, although most of us today only hear the noise of the land roads that lead from US‐36 and IL‐1 through the county.
A short trip by car from Champaign (approximately 45 minutes if you're not in a dam) will take you directly to the middle of Edgar County, where Ross Township's town hall almost looks like a relic from another era – a bit tingling, but charming. I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the endless corn fields and the occasional tractor, I find a rest that you can hardly find in the city. And yes, if you happen to discover a local peasant market, then grab – this is the true heart of Chrisman, not a joke. The people here are honest, the food is honestly even better, and the whole village has its own, slightly cynical charm, which I simply cannot praise enough.
I have to admit right at the beginning that I was never a big fan of “Städte-Touristen-Catalogs” – but if I were to Chrisman Attractions tell, then the heart sprays a bit faster because there are some real treasures that you don't find in every guide.
In front of the catwalk of my memory Chrisman Historical Museum. The old school building, which is hardly missed from the main road, is a bit like a dusty time capsule ship that welcomes you with photos of horse cars and an original carriage from the 1900s. I discovered an old farmer's calendar that reminded me that I should plan my own dates better – no joke, the part was a real eye-catcher. Parking? Mostly a Klacks, as long as you are not there with the whole village on Saturday night, then the field behind the museum becomes the battlefield.
A short walk leads you to Chrisman Community Park. There is not only a playground that offers more squeaking chains than childish joy, but also a baseball field that mutates from the locals to an improvised concert venue in the summer. I once made a picnic, while a local choir “Amazing Grace” sang – that was really great if you can accept the whipping of the grills as background music. The parking lot is an open field, so you better take your car a bit further, otherwise you have to slip between picnic blankets and rubber boots.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from the noise of the road, then this is Chrisman Public Library That's right. The library is small, but the staff is friendly and knows everyone who has ever borrowed a book – this is almost scary. I found an old encyclopedia there that reveals more about local history than any tourist brochure. Parking is practically right outside the door, but be warned: On Thursdays there is a small flea market, and the cars then form a labyrinth of crates and old turntables.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that old town hall. The red brick building radiates a kind of nostalgic pride, which is rarely found in modern communities. I once met a city councillor who told me why the town hall still has the original doors from the 1920s – because nobody has the money for new ones. This is a bit sad, but at the same time a sign that there is still real history. Parking is a bit tight, so better come early if you don't want to drive around.
You might think this is all, but that Water tower by Chrisman is a real eye-catcher. The silver tower protrudes over the fields and at sunset is almost like a lighthouse for land rats. I took a picture there that now hangs in my living room – this is the only picture I got from Chrisman, and it reminds me that some things are just there to be admired. There is no official parking, but a small field path leads you almost to the base where you can park your car in a pit.
A little away from the known paths lies the old Methodist Church. The church is no longer active, but the architecture is impressive, and the benches are still labeled with the names of the founding families. I once saw a small concert from a local folk band that echoed in the high ceilings – a real highlight that you don't miss when you happen to be in town. The parking lot is a small courtyard behind the building, and it is mostly empty, unless there is a community event.
Last but not least Chrisman Grain Elevator. The massive wooden building is a symbol of the agricultural soul of the region. I saw an old tractor standing next to the elevator and wondered if the peasants still work here with manual work – the answer was a clear yes, at least partly. Parking is a bit chaotic because the field around the elevator is often driven by tractors, but if you have a bit of patience, you get a place on the edge.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Edgar County Historical Museum in Paris, which is only half an hour drive from Chrisman – a place where the story seems to be whispering from a dusty shop window, while I fought through old land machines and yellowed photos. I wondered why the city of Paris in Illinois has not at least a little more charm than the French original, but the lovingly restored exhibits, especially the original 1880s year-market poster, convinced me nevertheless. Parking is almost always a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday morning when the local school classes use the museum as a class trip.
A short detour to the south leads to Lincoln Trail State Park, a piece of nature that smells more like “irrted hiking trail” than “planned tourist attraction” – and that is exactly what I love in such places. The lake is not huge, but fishing here is surprisingly good, and I actually caught a cash that was almost as big as my breakfast egg. The trails are well marked, and the visitor center has enough seats to raise your legs if you have enough of the trample. A small note: Parking is free, but the places fill quickly when the weather is beautiful.
A bit further east, almost at the border to Indiana, this is Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area. There are more ducks here than people, and this is a sign for me that I am in the right place. I spent a few hours watching birds with a binoculars I only knew from bird guides. The paths are partly mudy, so better to pack rubber boots – this is not a secret tip, that is pure experience. Access is well signposted via the County Road 1500, and parking is an open field that is hardly ever full.
Back to the city, but still within 30 miles, this is Vermilion County War Museum in Danville. I must admit, I was skeptical if a war museum in a small town really has something to offer, but the collection of uniforms, medals and personal letters from both world wars has deeply touched me. The building itself is an old depot that used to house trains – a bit of irony that a place that once transported people now keeps their stories. Parking is right in front of the museum, but there are only a few places, so be there early.
A little further west, near the small town of Hennepin, the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park. The canal is a relic from the time when one thought a waterway could connect the Middle West with the Great Lakes – an ambitious project that today serves more as a quiet cycle path. I've been running a round on the asphalt there while I was thinking about the in vain dreams of engineers. The picnic spots are clean, and the visitor center offers enough information not to be completely lost. Parking is free at the main entrance, but it can be tight on weekends.
A short trip north leads me to Watseka, where the Iroquois County Historical Museum a surprisingly good picture of the region. The exhibition about the pioneering period is particularly well done, and I found an old diary there that comes from a farmer from the 1860s – a real find that gave me the feeling of touching a piece of past. The museum is located in the middle of the city centre, so parking in the surrounding streets is usually easy as long as you do not park there during the monthly flea markets.
When you explore the surroundings of Chrisman, you quickly discover that the Chrisman Attractions not necessarily in the city itself, but in the small, often overlooked corners of the county. From museums that breathe history, to quiet nature reserves to historic waterways – there is enough fabric for a relaxed day where you can feed both your head and your soul.
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