Honestly, if you think that “Fairmount Sights” are just a dry keyword from a guide catalog, then you haven’t experienced the little jewel in Vance Township, Vermilion County. The city was founded in 1857, at the time a hub for the railways that held the Middle West mutilation together – a bit like the heart that still poses a little bit, although most trains have long been rerouted. I usually drive by car over the I‐74, because the bus here is rather a myth, but this is part of the charm: you can see the endless corn fields that shape the country since the beginnings of the settlers.
A short detour to the old town hall, which is still the original wooden building from the 1800s, feels like you're scrolling through a lively history book – and yes, the roof still squeaks, but that gives the whole only character. Right next to the town hall is the small café that I call “the best cup of coffee outside Chicago” because there is no buckling snack there, just a smile and a piece of apple cake that is almost too good to be true.
If you want to try public transport, there is a weekly “Vermilion County Shuttle” that will take you to the neighboring Danville – practical if you want to spend the city's life in a short time without worrying about it. And while you’re there, don’t forget that the “Fairmount Sights” are not just buildings, but the people who still keep up the old West feeling while discussing the latest Netflix series.
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The first stop I put to every visitor is that Kickapoo State Recreation Area – a huge forest stretching over 2,000 hectares and just half an hour drive from Fairmount. Here you can not only fish, but also marvel at well-developed hiking trails through beech and oak forests. I remember a rainy afternoon when I glid over the Lake Kickapoo in the canoe and suddenly a deer jumped out of the underwood – a picture that burns up to today. Parking is usually easy at the main exit point as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the whole family; then the field parking lot chaos becomes almost an attraction.
A few miles further, direction Dan Dan, waits for this Illinois Railway Museum in Union – the largest railway museum in the USA. Whoever believes that trains come from dusty history books is quickly taught a better one. I met an old diesel locomotive driver there, who proudly told me that he was still driving the last freight trains in 1970. The exhibition is huge, from historical steam locomotives to modern trams, and the best: you can actually enter the cars. A small note: The visitor centre has a small parking space, but it is quickly full on Saturday afternoons – a short walk of about five minutes to the main entrance is almost part of the experience.
If you have enough of metal and wood, the path leads to Danville Riverwalk, a 2-kilometre-long path along the Vermilion River. The river is not the wildest, but the combination of urban panorama and calm water creates a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. I once made a picnic with a friend, while a local street musician fed an old blues melody – no joke, that was almost too romantic for my cynical vein. Parking is possible directly on the Riverfront Park, but only in limited numbers; a small walk from the main road is then almost obligatory.
A short trip to the city centre of Danville brings you to Vermilion County Museum. The museum is a collection of local artefacts, from prehistoric finds to exhibits of the industrial revolution. I was particularly impressed by an old spinning machine that still worked – a sound that immediately reminded me of the factory wear of my childhood. The entrance is free, and parking behind the museum is usually empty unless a local festival is in progress.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, Constitution A must. This 45-kilometre-long cycle path connects Danville with Champaign and leads through picturesque fields, small villages and occasional historical sites. I tried the trail once on a hot July day; the route was spiced with small cafes that served surprisingly good ice cream coffee. The great thing about the trail is that you can park almost everywhere for free – a small parking lot at the starting point is usually enough as long as you are there early enough.
Lastly, Danville Train Station mentioned, a magnificent building dating back to 1901, which today serves as a venue and museum. The architecture is a beautiful example of the Victorian railway design, and I took part in a small art exhibition where local artists presented their works in the old waiting halls. Parking is possible directly in front of the station, but only for a short time; a short walk to the main building is almost part of the charm.
Whether you want to enjoy nature in the Kickapoo State Recreation Area, immerse yourself in the railway history in the Illinois Railway Museum, or just let the Danville Riverwalk smile – the surroundings of Fairmount offer more than enough variety for the modern traveller. And if you count all this together, you get a pretty good picture of what Fairmount Attractions really makes up: a mix of rustic idyll, historical depth and a shot of unexpected charm, which brings even the slightly cynical visitor to the spun.
I have to confess that old school building in Fairmount is my personal top attraction – not because it is architecturally a miracle work, but because it still smells like chalk and dust when I drive through the dusty field paths after a long day. The former classroom is now a community centre, and I have experienced an improvised jazz jam session with the local pensioners who know more about Bebop than about the current weather. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the village festival takes place in the park and everyone tries to get a place next to the grill.
Directly next to the center Fairmount Parka small piece of green that has more charm than some big city oasis. I once made a picnic with my friend while a tractor in the background went loudly over the field paths – a soundtrack that you only get here. The playground is a bit worn out, but the swing still swings, and that's a sign for me that the village is not completely under arrest. When you arrive by car, there is a short stop at the small parking lot behind the playground, and you are in the middle of the happening.
A short walk leads you to Methodist Church, whose red bricks seem almost romantic at sunset – a bit cheesy, but I understand the local pride on it. I visited a Sunday worship service where the church immediately went to a coffee shop after the singing, where the best stories about the old grain silo were exchanged. The interior is simple, but the organ has a surprisingly rich sound that fills the acoustics of the small room.
If you are interested in industrial history, you may Fairmount Grain Elevator do not miss. The massive wooden skeleton on the railway track is a relic from the 1950s, which still actively accepts cereals from the surrounding farmers. I spent a day there because I thought I could shoot some photos for Instagram and ended up helping an old warehouse worker unload – an experience that showed me how close the village is still connected to his agricultural roots. The terrain is freely accessible, but keep away from the platform, otherwise you get trouble with the train staff.
A little further flows Kaskaskia River and this is the real highlight for anglers and nature lovers. I caught some pike there on a hot July afternoon, while an older gentleman from the neighborhood told me why the water is still clear enough to see fish. There is no designated parking space, but a small field path leads you to an inconspicuous ridge from which you can enjoy the view – as long as you are not there on the weekend, then the ridge of picnic blankets is overcrowded.
A short detour to Fairmount Cemetery may sound for some macaber, but for me it is a quiet place where the history of the village is told in engraved stones. I once visited my grandmother, whose grave lies next to the old pastor, and found some yellowed newspaper articles from the foundation of the village in the 19th century. Report the century. The cemetery is well maintained, and parking is possible right in front of the gate – a short walk back to the village, and you are back in the center of the happening.
To finish my little tour through Fairmount Attractions I would like to Vance Township Hall mention an inconspicuous brick building, which is actually only used as an administrative center, but at the locals it is considered a meeting point for everything possible – from election meetings to bingo exhibitions. I once experienced a bingo game with a group of teenagers who knew more about current TikTok trends than about the history of the place. The building has a small parking lot behind the main entrance, and this is practical if you want to get a quick coffee after a long day in the nearby diner.
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