Historical Marker: Cantonment Wilkinson-ville
South of Highway 37, near boat ramp
Established by Lieutenant Colonel Davis Strong in 1797, as a post of the U.S. Army, it was garrisoned until 1804. Here are buried Colonel Strong and scores of soldiers who died on duty.
Lock & Dam #53
2 miles East of Route 37 on East Dam Road (618) 742-6213
Built in the 1930's, to regulate the depth of the Ohio River, the lock and dam boasts an observation area for viewing the river traffic
Mound City National Monument & Cemetery (view photo)
Junction Highway 51 and 37; 6 miles North of Cairo, Illinois.
Located on the National Register of Historic Places. A burial place for both Union and Conferderate soldiers. There are 2,759 grave markers of Union soldiers read "unknown". One is marked "Confederate Spy". The grounds were purchased by the President in 1862, and formally dedicated in 1864. A breathtaking monument peeks from the center of the grounds, which was donated by the State of Illinois and erected in 1874. A full honorary service is held each Memorial Day.
Civil War Bell
Block 200 and Main Street
The bell was used as a lead off bell for the Mississippi Squadron stationed here at the Marine Ways during the Civil War. A war trophy, it was also used as a fire bell.
Historical Marker: Mound City Marine Ways
4th and Main Street
The site of the Mississippi Valley Marine Railway & Dock Company. In 1862, three ironclad ships were built in these shipyards, the USS Cairo, the USS Mound City and the USS Cincinnatti.
Historical Marker: United States Military Hospital
Block 315 and Main Street
A large warehouse was converted to a military hospital in 1861, and staffed by the Sisters of The Holy Cross during the Civil War. There were 2200 wounded Union and Confederate soldiers at the Hospital following the Battle of Shiloh.
Pulaski County Courthouse
500 Illinois Avenue
Erected in 1912, a genealogical adventure. Legend has it to be at times a "ghostly" experience!
Pulaski County Fair
A week long adventure, held annually in August. This long time tradition has been a main event for the past 46 years!
Gore Monument
Northwest of Route 37
A four-story high perfect pyramid monument topped with a lead ball. The structure was built in 1933, for E.B. Gore towering the Concord Cemetery.
Olmsted Lock & Dam Project
Off Highway 37 at the Ohio River
Visitors can view the work in progress from the observation area. Dam history can be reviewed under a pavilion area which includes picnic tables for a convenient rest stop. This project is one of the largest construction projects in the nation!
Old Train Depot
Main Street
Built in 1872, the train service ran until the late 1960's. The depot now hosts a museum and is open during special events.
Shiloh Baptist Church
Route 51; 2 miles West of Villa Ridge
This historical Church, formed in 1817, one year before Illinois became a state. The original structure was built in 1820, which was used for a Church and a school. The existing structure was built in 1869, with services still being held today.
Historical Marker: Camp Hardin
Located in the heart of Villa Ridge, this camp was established in 1861, by Colonel W.H.L. Wallace, commanding officer for the 11th Illinois Infantry and was named for a Mexican War Colonel, John J. Hardin. The camp provided shelter to more than 900 men in basic training during the Civil War.
Ohio River Recreation Area Boat Access & Boat
Located on Tick Ridge, 4 miles East of Grand Chain, on the Ohio River Scenic Byway turn South on Lighthouse Lane (618) 634-9411.
A beautiful, newly constructed boat ramp, lodge and campground, sits atop the Ohio River banks with breathtaking views of the river.
Riverview Campground
South of Joppa Road; 4 miles East of Grand Chain, Illinois (618) 634-2260.
Overlooking the Ohio River, tent and RV space available. Open April through October.
Egyptian Country Club
4880 US Highway 51 (618) 745-6412
Nine hole golf course, cart rental and club house available.
Old Channel Boat Access
South of Mounds City off Highway 51
A new 70 foot concrete boat ramp and parking area. Based at the old channel of the Cache River and part of the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, this access is available to all watercraft with less than 19 horsepower engines.
Olmsted Boat Ramp
Located off of Route 37 in Olmsted, take East Cedar to Mill Street, approximately 1 mile.
Boasting a beautiful view, located on the Ohio River, this newly constructed boat rampwas completed in November 2002. The ramp provides 24 spacious parking areas.
Brushy Unit (Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge)
I-57 Exit 18; East on Shawnee College Road to Century High School, turn right on Mallard Lane.
This 320-acre wetland highlights waterfowl, shorebirds, and a wide variety of wetland species. This area has many opportunities for hunting and wildlife observation.
Cache Boat Ramp
Exit 18, I-57; 4 miles East on Shawnee College Road 1.5 miles North on Long Ranch Road
Scenic floating opportunties as you ride down the Bayou on the Cache River in canoes where you observe water tupelo and 1,000 year old Bald Cypress and over 701 species of plants and animals.
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
I-57, Exit 18; 6 miles East on Shawnee College Road
(Headquarters are located on Shawnee College Rustic Campus)
The Refugee purchase boundary consist of 35,320 acres, established in June of 1990, in the southernmost counties of Alexander, Johnson, Pulaski and Union. The Refuge is part of the Cache River Wetlands project. It is a joint venture partnership which includes The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited. The Joint Venture partners strive to protect and restore the natural features of this area, while providing a diversity of recreational opportunities.
Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve
Located off Perks Road (Cypress Creek Refuge)
Dedicated to internationally known waterfowl biologist, Dr. Bellrose, this 1,000 acre reserve provides habitat for wood ducks and other waterfowl. *Special regulations apply to this area. Please call the Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge for group access to this area at (618) 634-2231.
Limekiln Slough (The Nature Conservancy)
I-57, Exit 18; 2.5 miles East on Cache Chapel Road
A nature trail winding through bottomland hardwood forest, hosting songbirds in the Spring and Summer.