Honestly, if you're wondering why I'm ever swept over a tiny little town in the heart of Illinois, then let me start with a few historical facts: Palestine was founded in 1833, shortly after the hard pioneering urge, and has since been getting more than a few shots and a few triumphal moments. The whole thing is in Lamotte Township, Crawford County, and this is not just a bureaucratic sugar slick â the township feeling is almost tangible here when you walk along the old railroad strip and hear the silent ratter of history. I donât understand the hype about âPalestine Sightsâ because the city doesnât advertise with glittering luminescent complaints, but thatâs exactly what makes it a real secret tip.
A short trip by car from Springfield or St. Louis brings you here, and driving is almost part of the experience â the land roads are shaking, the radio cracks, and you feel you are in another time. When you walk past the old Main Street in the centre, you will feel the crunching flair of 19-century brick buildings still operated by local families. And yes, the small cafĂ© on the corner I visit again and again serves the best apple cake I've ever tasted â no joke, it's almost a cult.
In short, there is no exaggerated tourist waste, just honest people, a bit of dust and a few âPalestine Sightsâ that you only really appreciate when you are ready to ignore the obvious and embrace the inconspicuous.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance â taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site â 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 Palestine, 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 HennepinâCanal-Parkway State Park is just half an hour drive north of me, and I must admit that the whole âhistorical waterwayâ talk is not entirely my thing â until I saw the old lock complex that cuts into the landscape like a raw gear knife. I spent a few hours with my bike there, the flat paths are perfect for a comfortable pedaling, and parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't get out of the suburbs on weekends with the families. The view over the water that swells through the old stone wall has something soothing that I rarely find in the city.
A short trip to Robinson leads you to the Crawford County Historical Museum, which is housed in a former bank building. I was there because I thought a museum was always a safe place for a cool drink, and was surprised with a collection of ancient land machines, photos from the 1900s and a rather impressive collection of local litter reports. The staff is friendly but not exaggerated â they just give you the keys to the exhibition spaces and let yourself decide what you want to see. Parking is available directly in front of the building, and this is a blessing because the village otherwise has hardly any parking.
The Illinois River, which only flows a few miles south of Palestine, is an underestimated jewel for anglers and nature lovers. I once spent a morning sitting on a small ridge, while an old fisherman told me why the pike population is particularly active right now. The water is clear enough to recognize the underwater plants, and the shore is lined with trees that offer an almost cheesy color play in autumn. There is no official parking space, but a small, unstrengthened field path leads you almost to the edge â a bit of mud clothing is almost mandatory here.
If you want a bit of architecture, look at the Crawford County Courthouse in Robinson. The 1905 building is a classic example of the âBeaux-Arts-Style caseâ that you can only find in larger cities. I took a lead there with a local historian who told more about the court proceedings of the 1920s when I ever thought necessary. Parking is possible directly in front of the courthouse, but you have to hit between the many vans of the city and the tourist buses.
Another highlight I don't want to hide is the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Yes, I know a fair sounds like a kitshy tourist trap, but here it is different: The annual farm fair attracts real farmers from the area, and the stands with fresh corn, self-made apple and handmade wood carvings are a festival for the senses. I spent a day there because I thought I could sniff a bit of âlocal lifeâ â and I actually had some nice discussions with the exhibitors. The grounds have a large parking lot, which is quickly full on weekends, so it's better to come early.
A little spiritual calm can be found in St. Maryâs Catholic Church, a small but well preserved church from the late 19th century. Centuries located just outside of Palestine. I went there because I needed a little distance from the loud streets and was greeted by a warm, almost honest bell sound. The interior is simple, but the hand carved wooden benches have something that reminds me of the good old times when craftsmanship was still a daily job. Parking is a small, unsealed farm that offers just enough space for a few cars.
Last but not least, the old Crawford County Jail Museum, which is housed in a former prison building and has a rather gloomy charm. I did a tour there because I thought a little âGruselâ would be a nice change. The cells are still original and the stories about the infamous inmates from the 1930s are amazingly well documented. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, and this is practical because you don't have to drive through the busy main road.
So, if you think about what you could do in the vicinity of Palestine, Lamotte Township, Crawford, Illinois, then remember that Palestine Attractions not only consist of a small shop in the main street. From historical canals to museums to quiet river banks â there is enough fabric here to surprise even the most incubated travellers, and all this with a good portion of local peculiarity, which is otherwise found only in the stories of the locals.
So, if I tell you about my favorite place in Palestine, then I'm best starting with the old town hall â yes, just the creeping gems that used to govern the city shops and today as Palestine Historical Museum served. I discovered an old photo album that shows the city in 1902 and had to laugh because people were wearing the same slanted hats as today the hipsters at Sunday brunch. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you're not there with the whole village on Saturday night, then this will be a little adventure.
Right next to the museum, the main road, which is proudly referred to as âHistoric Downtown Squareâ, is a bit like a mini-wood set, only without the film crew. The brick buildings have more character than some Instagram filters, and the old bank, which now houses a cafĂ©, serves the best espresso I've ever had in a place with less than 5,000 inhabitants. I don't quite understand the hype about hip coffee shops, but here the aroma is real, and the staff knows your name after the third visit â that's almost a social network.
If you're looking for something green, look at this City Park on. The small lake there is not just a natural wonder, but the ducks seem to feel like kings there, and the old wooden pavilion offers the perfect spot for a picnic, which you can later round off with a lukewarm summer evening and the sound of barbecue sounds. I once tried to throw a frisbee there, and the thing ended up in the water â that was my personal proof that not everything is going to plan in life, but the laughing of the children around me has done it again.
A short walk leads you to the former train depot, which now serves as a community center. The old tracks are no longer in operation, but the building still has this rough charm you can only find in places that have not completely eradicated their history. There are frequent flea markets, and I have found an antique radio that still works â a real treasure for collectors and for me, because I can play my own 80s hits in the car without the neighbors complaining.
Another must if you Palestine Attractions is the local library. Sounds like a place where you whisper quietly, but the library here is a living meeting place for genealogy fans. I followed my great grandparents and found some yellowed letters that had more drama than any Daily Soap. And yes, Wi-Fi is faster than what you get in some big cities â a little comfort if you want to surf a bit after reading.
Finally a hint for the gourmets: The weekly farm market at Millerâs Farm is not only a place to get fresh vegetables, but also a social spectacle. The sellers know you by name, and the vegetables taste almost better because you feel like being part of a small community. I tried a self-made apple cake there for the first time, which was so good that I almost stole the recipe â fortunately the baker bought me a piece before I could do it.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
