Beautiful Harrisburg and Saline County, Illinois, welcome visitors to enjoy their history and natural beauty in a part of southern Illinois known as “Little Egypt.” The region earned the unofficial name in the late 1700s when settlers remarked upon the similarity between mounds created by Native Americans and Egyptian pyramids.
Today, Saline County has a population of nearly 24,000. The great outdoors showcases the beauty of nature throughout the county, which boasts multiple state fish and wildlife areas and acts as an entryway to the popular Shawnee National Forest.
“Saline County is the gateway to the Shawnee National Forest,” says Mark Motsinger, Saline County Historical Society president and Saline County and Southernmost Tourism Board member. “The most visited and photographed part of the Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods, is in the southeastern part of the county.”
Check out a few must-visit destinations on a summer adventure to Saline County.
See more: Ferry Away to Calhoun County for a Summer Trip with Rich History, Juicy Peaches and More
1. Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area
Nestled among the hills, Glen O. Jones Lake features 2.7 miles of shoreline along the 105-acre lake. Bicycling, equestrian, primitive camping, hiking, kayaking and picnicking are among the amenities. Fishing from the shore and docks can yield black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and largemouth bass. The life-size bronze statue of Chief Tecumseh, a legendary Shawnee chief and orator, looks over the lands at the edge of the forest where his people used to live.
2. Historical Markers
The Illinois State Historical Society recognizes the county’s historical significance with various markers, including Carrier Mills Archaeological District, Dr. Lewis and the Lewis Sanitorium, Kaskaskia Shawneetown and Goshen Trail, Virginia Gregg Home and Birthplace, and more. Plus, the Southern Illinois African American Heritage Trail will soon mark another stop at the Lakeview Settlement, formerly known as the Pond Settlement, located in the Carrier Mills township.
3. Eldorado VFW
On Feb. 9, 1964, The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Popular history tells us music’s “British invasion” began with that broadcast, seen by more than 73 million viewers. But in the summer of 1963, guitarist George Harrison visited family in nearby Benton. When he went to the Eldorado VFW, he played with local rock band The 4 Vests. That performance in front of 75 to 100 people marked the first appearance by a Beatle in the U.S. A historical marker at the Eldorado VFW commemorates the event.
4. Old Stone Face
An iconic symbol of Saline County, this intriguing geological wonder sits on a high ridge above Stillhouse Hollow, accessible via a 1.6-mile trail of easy to moderate difficulty. Motsinger likens it to New Hampshire’s famous “Old Man of the Mountain,” which collapsed in 2003. “It’s the best stone face I know of,” he says.
5. Saline Creek Pioneer Village and Museum
A journey into the region’s past, this Harrisburg museum includes the original Saline County Pauper House, built in 1877 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Village includes historic cabins, a barn and buildings that used to house a school, a jail and other businesses. A blockhouse and working blacksmith shop, both dating from the War of 1812 era, have been rebuilt on the property.
See more: New Philadelphia, Illinois’ Newest National Park, Brings Energy to An Inspiring Historic Site
6. Tunnel Hill State Trail
Beginning in Harrisburg and stretching some 55 miles, Tunnel Hill State Trail runs along an abandoned railroad line from Eldorado to the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center near Cypress. The scenic trail takes cyclists on a picturesque route across trestles, through a 500-foot tunnel, sleepy little villages, ghost towns, abandoned coal mines, a hulking abandoned mine tipple and what was once the smallest working post office in the nation. Visitors can journey through several museums along the trail as well.
7. Dining Options
When visiting Eldorado on a summer day, ice cream offers a delicious way to cool off. Briley and AJ Lenkaitis, owners, siblings and current college students, welcome visitors to cool off with 4-Ways Dairy Barn’s dairy products, made with milk from family farms in the Midwest. 4-Ways’ tasty menu includes specialties like Oreo concretes, hot fudge malts and s’mores pops. Looking for a tasty meal? The Bar-B-Q Barn in Harrisburg boasts a flavorful reputation for an array of meats, sandwiches, salads, wraps and more. Daily dinner specials start at 4 p.m., available until they run out.
See more: Local Flavor: Morello’s
To learn more about the region and other attractions, visit the Saline County Tourism Board’s webpage at visitsalinecounty.com.If You Go ...
