Honestly, if you're wondering why I'm talking about marshal landmarks at all, it's about the small but proud history of this little spot in the Middle West. Founded in 1835, the town has named itself after the famous General John Marshall – yes, the one who formed the Supreme Court – and has more than a few old barns ever since. The whole Marshall Township is nestled in the vast Clark County, where the fields are so far enough that when driving on Interstate 57 you feel you are trapped in an endless Yellowton mosaic. I came by train to Champaign and then jumped into the local bus that brought me directly to the center – no buckling, just a short transfer and you are in the middle of the action.
I don't quite understand the hype about the little Main Street shops, but the venerable bakery on Main Street, which has still baked its famous cinnamon snails since 1902, is a real secret tip. And while most visitors probably only touch the historic cemetery, I rather knelt into the old town hall that still carries the original wooden window from the 1880s – a perfect place to refuel a bit of time travel feeling. So next time you drive over the country, take a look at the signs that lead you to Marshall – the city may be small, but its peculiarities are anything but boring.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Marshall, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first place I'd put to every visitor is the Lincoln Trail State Park, which is hidden a bit outside of Lerna and still within Marshall's reach. The lake there is not exactly a crystal clear alpine lake, but it offers enough space for a relaxed paddling, and the trails lead through a forest piece that has more oaks than Instagram filters. I once tried to shoot a photo of the sunset, just to realize that the trees prefer to block the light – a real reminder that nature is not always made for social media. Parking is easily possible on the main parking lot as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and picnic baskets.
A short descent to the south leads to the Wabash River, where the local boat ramp project offers a surprisingly well-maintained docking track. I spent a few hours there with my old kayaking, while an older gentleman drove past a yellow tractor and loudly swarmed over the “good old times” – a real cultural shock when you get out of town. The water is not particularly clear, but the chance to catch a cash is real, and fishing is almost a local sport you should not underestimate. A small note: The toilets on the edge of the paddle area are rarely clean, so better have a plan B beforehand.
If you are looking for a little more hustle and bustle in the summer, the Clark County Fairgrounds is the true epicentre of action. The annual County Fair is a mix of cattle upgrades, rides, and a lot of people who believe Corn Dogs are the culinary highlight of the world. Once there I watched a competition in pumpkin carving where a 12-year-old boy turned a pumpkin into the form of a unicorn – that was almost the highlight of the day when you survived all the stuff with sweat smell and loud country music. Parking spaces are available in abundance, but on the main days the terrain fills faster than a popcorn container in the cinema.
A little off the main roads is the small town of West Union, which boasts an old grain silo and a mini-museum for agricultural equipment. I spent an afternoon there because I thought a bit of history was always good, and was surprised by a guided tour of a retired farmer who had more anecdotes about the “good old” life than a whole history book. The museum is small, but the original machines that stand there are a real eye-catcher for tech nologists. Parking is possible directly in front of the building, but you have to expect a few cow bells that occasionally serve as acoustic accompaniment.
For birdwatchers among you there is the Cedar Creek Trail, a narrow path that leads through wetlands and open fields and offers a surprisingly wide variety of species. Once there I saw a Rotkehlchen-Schnapper, who bravely cling to a power pole – an image that I have not forgotten until today. The trail is not signposted, so better have a card with it, otherwise you end up faster in nowhere than you think. The parking lot is small but mostly free as long as you do not come to the high season.
Whether you are looking for a quiet lake, a wild river, a fairy fair, a historical grain silo or a remote bird paradise – Marshall's surroundings have something to offer for everyone. And while some of these places smell like “local secret tip”, they are all part of the colorful mosaic that makes up the region. So the next time you think about where you can go off the tourist streams in Illinois, you should Marshall Attractions do not miss.
I have to confess that Marshall Opera House is my personal favorite place – not because it has the best acoustics (which is okay), but because it beats the heart of the city when I get a small jazz concert there. The building from the early 1900s looks as if it had just decided to blossom again, and parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Friday night after the “Open Mic”, then the field will be at the door to the battlefield.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Clark County Historical Museumthat resides in the venerable old court building. I don't quite understand the hype about dusty exhibitions, but the original Richterbank seat and the old Sheriff badge have something that reminds you of the real, rough life in the Middle West. The museum is free, and the sign “Please don’t touch” looks more like a friendly hint that history is still a bit alive here.
If you're looking for a place where you can move back with a coffee while watching the colorful drive, just stroll into the Downtown Square. The old brick shops, the little diner with the legendary pancakes and the inviting bank on the well – that is what I mean when I speak of “Marshall Sights”. Parking is available around the square, but on Saturday morning, when the peasant market starts, you have to enjoy a short walk.
A little less touristy, but for me a real secret tip, is the Marshall Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library can be exciting if you know where to look. The wooden reading lounge on the ground floor has a window that looks directly onto the old Main Street, and the staff knows every regular guest by name. I found an old city planning book there that helped me find the way to the hidden graffiti mural behind the town hall.
The Marshall City Park is what you’re presenting under a “small city park”: a football field, a playground and a few benches covered in the summer by Grillrauch. I made a picnic with friends there in the summer, and the only thing that bothered us was the loud quaken of the frog – a real soundtrack for the soul. Parking is right at the entrance, but it can be done at weekends, so it's better to come early.
Another piece of local culture is Marshall Community Center. Art exhibitions, yoga courses and the annual “Fall Harvest Festival” take place regularly. I once experienced an improvised Poetry-Slam where a 78-year-old pensioner rushed over his youth in the 1950s – a moment I don't forget so fast. The center has a small parking space behind the building; that is usually free as long as you are not there for the main event.
Last but not least, old waterworks forgotten, which stands at the edge of the city and today serves as a photo motif for Instagram lovers. It's not exactly a museum, but the rusty pipes and the cracking gate have a certain charm that reminds you that Marshall is not just a modern building. A short trip there is free, and parking is right in front of the gate – a perfect spot to shoot some slanted selfies before you get back to the lively city centre.
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