Go to Randolph County, Illinois for Ghosts, Blues, Reenacters, and Popeye

Randolph County, Illinois, lies along the Mississippi River south of MetroEast St Louis. Here was located the French colonial government of the upper section of what later became known as the Louisiana Purchase. You may find a daytrip through the rolling hills of the county and the flat floodplains of the Mississippi River a pleasant change from the bustle of big city life.

And there are plenty of things to see!

Popeye Picnic. The annual celebration of Popeye, the pugnacious sailor created by hometown cartoonist L. C. Segar, takes place in Chester in the southern section of the county. At Segar Park at the foot of the Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River, you'll find a 6-foot, 900-pound metal statue of Popeye. In recent years, Chester has been adding even more statues during the Popeye Picnic, featuring other Segar characters like Olive Oyl, the Jeep, and the burger-snarfing Wimpy, who were all reportedly based on Segar's friends in Chester. Don't miss the picnic's Sea Hag Haunted Tour which features an impressive number of hauntings for such a small town. For more on the hauntings of Chester, check my article at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/390098/visit_chester_a_haunted_southern_illinois.html?cat=16. The Popeye collectibles store and museum downtown, located next to Gazebo Park with its Wimpy statue, is open year-round. Chester is also the site of Menard Correctional Center.

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site. An actual stone fort has been reconstructed on the site of the French colonial administrative headquarters for the upper Mississippi portion of the French-held colony. Includes the original magazine where gunpowder was stored. There's a museum documenting the history of the fort and the French settlements of the region. The fort hosts various annual events, including a soldier's school for would-be reenactors which is open to the public, a huge summer rendezvous, and a chilly but more intimate winter rendezvous. I've written on Fort de Chartres at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/330470/visit_fort_de_chartres_french_outpost.html?cat=37.

Fort Kaskaskia. No fort here, just the earthworks that marked the site of the fort which was never finished. What had been constructed was destroyed by Kaskaskia residents before the incoming British could claim it. They rebuilt in the town. The view is tremendous, overlooking the site of the original town of Kaskaskia, Illinois' first state capital, as well as the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi rivers. This was one of the plocations where Lewis and Clark recruited men for their Corps of Discovery. An two-day annual Traditional Music Festival is held in September featuring bluegrass, country, irish, and cajun music as well as a craft fair both days.

Pierre Menard Home. Built in 1800, the French Colonial mansion was once the residence of the state's first lieutenant-governor, French Canaidan fur trader Pierre Menard. It has been preserved for visitors to offer a glimpse of the past. There is a museum. Various annual events are hosted at the mansion (4230 Kaskaskia Street, near Ellis Grove). It is located below Fort Kaskaskia. Admission is free.

Sparta World Shooting and Recreation Complex. For sport shooters, a huge draw for Sparta (pop. 4,486). The Amateur Trapshooting Association holds its 21-day, 10-event Grand American here in August and there are numerous other shooting events scheduled throughout the year.

Misselhorn Art Gallery. The work of Sparta artist Roscoe Misselhorn (1902-1997) is displayed in the old train station. It amounts to more than 2,000 pieces of work produced by Misselhorn, who also had numerous books published featuring his work. The train station itself is worth a visit. It was featured prominently in the Sidney Poitier/Rod Steiger movie In the Heat of the Night (1967), shot in and around Sparta. A display is set up at the Misselhorn museum relating to the film.

Blues Fest. The annual Sparta Bluesfest is held on the riverfront of the Kaskaskia River every July. Featured are a variety of blues performers. A Friday night parade leads off with free entertainment Friday. The main event is Saturday. There's a website at http://www.spartablues.com/.

Kaskaskia. Kaskaskia Island is one of only two small sections of Illinois located west of the Mississippi River due to the river's changing channels. In the small village that remains on Kaskaskia Island, only accessible by car from Missouri, is the Kaskaskia Bell, the Liberty Bell of the West where an annual Fourth of July ceremony is held. The event starts at noon on that date and French Marine reenacters from Fort de Chartres. The 650-pound bell was presented by King Louis XV of France to the village and presently is located in a small building put up by the state in 1948, viewable through a barred doorway.

Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Center. Located in Baldwin, a 2,018-acre power plant water-cooling lake stocked with fish, also good for picnicking, primitive camping, and hunting.

Creole House. In Paririe du Rocher on the Mississippi floodplains not far from Fort de Chartres, the 19th century building mixes Creole and American architectural styles. It is restored and open to the public on special occasions and by appointment. One special event is the annual Halloween haunted trail. Owned by the Randolph County Historical Society.

Mary's River Covered Bridge. Located along Illinois Route 150 just north of Chester is an 86-foot long covered bridge which crossed Mary's River on an old private toll road linking Chester and Bremen. The bridge remains in plain site just off the highway, the only remaining covered bridge in Southern Illinois.

For more about Randolph County at the Great River Road website at http://www.greatriverroad.com/randhome.htm.