To be honest, when I hear the word “Oakland Sights”, I immediately think of the inconspicuous little town in the heart of East Oakland Township, which is hidden casually in the south of Coles County, Illinois – not to be confused with the loud California. Founded in the 1850s by a few land pionings, which probably thought a bit of “Oak” would give the place charm, the village has hardly changed since, apart from a few modern shops that try to save the old field. I usually drive by car over US‐24, because the bus is more of a myth here, and this is practical if you want to drift spontaneously into the small cafes at the main square.
The story is not packed here in large posters, but in the faded wooden facades and the stories of the locals who like to chat over the old railway bridge when the rails still formed the backbone of the region. I don't quite understand the hype about the “rustic” atmosphere, but the honest kindness of people makes it really great. And yes, if you’re looking for “Oakland Sights”, you won’t find huge attractions here, but the feeling that you’ve landed in a place that doesn’t get too close to the tourist trend – and that’s the real highlight for me.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Lincoln Trail State Park, a place I like to name as the “green heart” of the region – although the heart here is rather a somewhat sloppy hiking path that winds through gentle hills. The lake is crystal clear, at least as long as you do not arrive there after a long working day and the water is sprayed by the ducks. Parking is usually a Klack, except for the hot summer days when the families with picnic baskets flood the field; then the parking search becomes almost a sporty activity.
A short trip to Charleston lets me land in the historic town hall square, where the impressive Coles County Courthouse like a stone memorial from another era. I don't quite understand the hype about this brick construction – it is beautiful, but the real highlight is the small café around the corner that serves the best coffee in the area when you are ready to bear the scent of old wood. The place is free from cars, so you can enjoy the sun here without stress as long as you are not there on Friday night when the students of Eastern Illinois University conduct their “Late Night studies”.
A bit further north, almost in the shadow of the university, this is Eastern Illinois University Art Museum. I spent more time taking pictures of the scrupulous installations than comprehending the actual exhibitions – a typical art museum phenomenon I love. The building itself is an architectural puzzle made of glass and brick that fits perfectly into the campus landscape. Admission is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are part of the faculty, although you are just a lost tourist.
If you have enough of urban crowds, the path leads to Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area. Here you can sit on the river bank for hours and wait for a fish to bite – which rarely happens, but the silence is a gift. I once saw a rare ice bird there, which made me get my fishing out of the car, just to realize that I had forgotten to grab the fishing rod. It is practical that entering the area is free, and parking is still to be found at the edge of the entrance area as long as you don't come at the weekend when hunters flood the field.
Another jewel I can't leave is that Coles County Historical Museum in Charleston. The museum is a collection of old agricultural machinery, photos from the founding period and an impressive collection of everyday objects that give you the feeling that life was as chaotic as it was today – only with less Wi-Fi. I tried an old typewriter there and wrote almost a letter to my mother before I realized I had no pen anymore. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually empty, unless there is a local feast, then the whole becomes a small battlefield from cars.
A short trip to Lanesville brings me to Lanesville Covered Bridge, one of the few covered bridges in the state. It is not particularly large, but the wood is charming when you run over it – a perfect place for an Instagram photo that you regret later because the light was not so good. The bridge is located on a quiet road, and parking is practically directly at the edge where you can park your car without a policeman surprise you with a ticket.
Whether you are looking for nature, history or a bit of art – the surroundings of Oakland, East Oakland Township, Coles, Illinois have something to offer for everyone. The mix of quiet parks, historic buildings and small but fine museums makes exploring a true pleasure that you should not miss when you go to Oakland Attractions search.
I have to admit right at the beginning that what I am here as Top attractions not exactly a sparkling tourist magnet – it is the Oakland Public Library, an old carnegie building that has more dust than Instagram filters, but a heart that beats when you open the squeaking door. I was there on a rainy Tuesday because I had no better to do, and I ran between the high shelves until I suddenly heard the quiet click of an old typewriter – that is the sound that reminds me every time that books are still real things. Parking? Mostly a Klacks, as long as you don't show up there on Friday night after the weekly book club, then parking becomes a little adventure.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Oakland City Hall, a brick building from the early 20. Century that looks as if it had designed an architect from the time of steam locomotives. I don't understand the hype about modern glass façades, but here the old brick mower has something unpredictable that almost makes you believe you were landing in a film by John Ford. The courtyard is small, but the old clock standing there still ticks – a little wonder of the time I admire every time I come by to empty the mailbox.
If you are looking for a place to represent your feet and at the same time to inhale the real “small-city life” is Oakland Park That's right. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, and we made fun of the “big” barbecues, because the only thing that yells there is the grill of someone trying to save hot dogs that have been on the rust for half an hour. The playground isn't exactly a Disneyland, but the swings that every time you sit down have their own charm. And yes, parking is a bit more tricky here, because the field is overrun by families in the summer – that's better if you don't want to park in the circle.
A little away from the hustle St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a stone building from the 1860s, which bears more history in its walls than so many guides. I tried the organ there once on a Sunday – that was a loud, but honest “I—bin‐hier‐and‐ich‐mag‐es” – and then tried out a few old church benches that still have the same gun as my old couch at home. The interior is not excessively magnificent, but the stained glass windows cast a warm light that almost lets you forget that you are in a small town in Illinois.
Another jewel that I can hardly mention without a bit of swarming is that Oakland Historical Society Museum. This is not a huge museum, but rather a cozy room in the basement of the old school building, where you can find old school books, photos of fair carousels and a few dusty tools from agriculture. I once discovered an old photo of a horse car that reminded me that there were still real horses sharing the road here – no joke, that was before the cars. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but the friendly lady behind the vault lets you in at any time as long as you are not too loud.
For those who haven’t heard the word “sightening” yet, here’s a little hint: If you’re looking for a list of Oakland Attractions look, you will quickly realize that the city is rather a mosaic of small but fine experiences, instead of a series of exaggerated attractions. And that's exactly what I love in this place – the authenticity that doesn't overwhelm you with bright neon lights, but with real people who know their city and still don't stop talking about how good the new café is at the corner.
At the end of the day, a brief reference to Oakland Fire Department MuseumI accidentally discovered when I was looking for a place to silence my curiosity. There are old fire brigades, a rusty extinguishing car and a few yellowed photos of brave men in the 20th century. Centuries fire when that was what you did when the house burned. I had a little bit of torn around there, while an older gentleman told me that the “Rufen nach Hilfe” still has the same melody here as it was. The museum is small, but the heart is large – and parking is almost always a Klack, because the road in front of the building is rarely visited.
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