Honestly, if you think that the heart of Illinois is pulsating only Chicago, then you haven't experienced Casey yet – this is the true “small piece of America” that I repeatedly defend, although I don't understand the hype around the metropolises. Casey was founded in 1850, named after a local politician, and has more than just cornfields ever since. The township is embedded in the wide Clark County, where the history of pioneers and railways is almost tangible when you look at the old signs on Highway 40.
I usually drive over the I‐70 by car, because the train here is more of a relic from the past – but hey, this gives you the freedom to spontaneously hold on to any rusted barn that you think is photogenic. And as you sneak through the dusty streets, the small, but charming city centre is striking you: a few shops, a diner that has served the same table since the 60s, and a town hall that knows more stories than some guides. I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, between the fields, I find the real Illinois.
If you're wondering what you can see here at all – the Casey sights are less monuments, more the feeling that time is slower here, and that's the real highlight for me.
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You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Casey, 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 stop is the inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Casey Fish Hatchery, which lies directly on the banks of the Illinois River – a place I used to know only from school projects until I stood there and saw how thousands of young fish swam in clear basins. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small field turns into a mini-concert of 18-rollers who are boking around the last free places. I spent a few minutes there to enjoy the quiet atmosphere, and must admit that the water's water is almost therapeutic, especially after a long drive through the flat land of Illinois.
A short trip to Marshall leads to Clark County Historical Museum. The building itself is a restored 19-century jewel that has more stories to tell than an average guide would ever create. I remember how I was there as a child in school class and discovered an old diary from the 1880s – a real treasure that makes the hard life of the pioneers alive. Parking is available directly in front of the museum, and this is a blessing because the road is hardly wider than a parking lot. The staff is friendly but not exaggerated enthusiastic; they let one look at the exhibits in peace without constantly explaining with a megaphone why an old plow was so important.
Just a few miles further north Clark County Fairgrounds in Marshall, all year round is a pool for local events. I visited the annual harvest festival where the air of maize fragrance and barbecue odour had penetrated – a festival that smells more after a well-organized neighbourhood meeting than after a tourist attraction. The terrain is huge, so you should come early if you want to find a good place to sit; Parking is generous, but at weekends the field fills faster than a popcorn container in the cinema.
When you put the car back on the road, the Illinois River Scenic Byway along the river, a stretch that offers more than just a few signs. I drove the route on a sunny autumn morning when the foliage shone in gold and red tones, and suddenly there were small landings where fishermen threw their nets. There are several picnic places that are usually unmanned, and parking is easy in most places – a short stop, a sandwich, and you feel like a 19th explorer. Century, only with GPS instead of compass.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the famous Illinois interior, lies the Lincoln Trail State Park at Utica. The park is famous for its hiking trails that lead through dense forests and gentle hills – a perfect place to escape everyday life. I spent an hour there on the “Prairie Loop”, while a squirrel curiously inspected my shoes. The parking lot is well signposted, but on holidays there can be a small traffic jam because the families love the picnic and barbecue there. The park also offers a small visitor centre that tells more about Abraham Lincoln and his early years in Illinois – a bit of history that is not experienced in the museum but in the middle of nature.
Another highlight I can hardly overlook is the Hennepin Canal State Trail. The old transport channel, which once transported goods between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi, is today a popular cycle and hiking trail. I have explored the section near the small town of Hennepin, where the water goes quietly and old sluices look like relics from another era. Parking is free at most access points, and the trailhead is barely overlooked – a short hint that you can not only walk here, but also breathe a bit of history.
If you are looking for an authentic view of the rural Illinois, you will find more than typical tourist attractions in these places – they are a mirror of the region, its history and its people. From calm fish farming to the wide paths of the Hennepin Canal, from the museum pieces in Marshall to the picturesque shores of the Illinois River Scenic Byway – these experiences show why Casey Attractions a visit is worth even if you do not stay in the city itself.
I have to admit to you: the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Casey is the gigantic swing that has dominated the cityscape since 1982. Yes, you have read correctly – a 42-foot-high World’s Largest Rocking Chair, which attracts more attention than some Hollywood-Premiere-Red-Carpet. I sat down there once in the summer, the sun burned, and the quiet stick of the wood was almost hypnotic. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local Rock’n Roll band in the park will have a small concert.
This is right next to the swinging month Casey Historical Museum. I don't understand the hype about mini-mouses, but here you have the feeling that every old box, every dusty photo has to tell a story. I found an old diary that belonged to a peasant from the 1900s – a real find that catapulted me into the past for hours. The museum is freely accessible, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are a relative who comes to visit.
A short walk further leads you to Casey Public Library. I'm not a bookworm, but the library has a small reading room with windows that release the view of the main street – perfect to savour with a coffee while watching the colorful drive. I met a local author who just wrote about life in a small town on his next novel. That was a real lucky handle because he gave me a signed copy that I still don't put out of my hand.
If you're looking for something green, Casey Community Park Your starting point. The park is not just a national park, but it has a baseball court, a playground and a small lake where the children feed ducks in summer. I remember a picnic where an older couple suddenly started singing their wedding songs – a moment that reminded me that the true charm of a city lies in the spontaneous, unimaginable moments. Parking is available around the park, but it can be tight on days of play, so it's better to come early.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Casey County Fairgrounds. The famous County Fair takes place here every year in August, and even outside the festive days the terrain has a certain charm. I once saw an old tractor from the 1950s, still in the museum hall, and wondered why no one works so hard. The fairgrounds are well signposted, and parking is generous – a rare consolation in a city where a car park is a battle every time.
Last but not least, a small secret tip that only locals really appreciate: Casey Fire Department. It is not big, but the collection of old fire brigades, helmets and even an original 1900 fire truck is impressive. I met a former fireman there who told me how he once saved a kitten from a burning shed – no joke, the animal was his constant companion. The museum is located right behind the town hall, and parking is practical because you can simply turn into the back side street.
So, the next time you think about where you want to spend your next little break, think about the Casey Attractions. They're not exactly the glistening metropolises you know from guides, but they have this unique charm that makes you sneak and think at the same time – and that's what travels are, isn't it?
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