Superman, Indian Mounds, Rendezvous in Massac County, Illinois

Massac County is at one of the two southern tips of Illinois, bordered on its south by the Ohio River with Paducah, Kentucky, across the river. It was here that Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark secretly entered Illinois with a small force of woodsmen in his capture of the Northwest Territories for the former colonies. It is also home to Superman's hometown,Metropolis. That's not even all. Here's a quick look at the rural Illinois county.

Fort Massac State Historical Site, Metropolis. This is Illinois's oldest state park. The fort was an important post on the Ohio River and the fort itself has been reconstructed in recent years. George Rogers Clark entered Illinois at Fort Massac, which was at that time in ruins, and began his secret drive northwest to British-held, French-settled Cahokia and the present-day MetroEast. His brother, William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, stopped here to recruit men for the Corps of Discovery. A huge annual encampment is held in October.

Superman Celebration, Metropolis. The official hometown of iconic DC Comics superhero Superman, the only community in the United States named Metropolis has a photogenic 15-foot statue of the Man of Steel next to the Massac County Courthouse. Across the street from the statue is the Super Museum, established by a Superman fan who spent his boyhood fishing props from the studio trash after they were dumped by the crew of the George Reeves TV series. An annual Superman Celebration includes special guests drawn from movies, TV, and comics and have included such Superguests as Margot (Lois Lane) Kidder and Yvonne (Batgirl) Craig.

Mermet Springs, between Vienna and Metropolis. Mermet Springs has been developed as a full-service, midwestern scuba diving site. An 8.5 acre, 120 foot deep spring-fed quarry includes numerous dive attractions at different dive levels including a Con Air 727 that was used in the film, US Marshals and then sunk in the quarry. Water visibility is 15-60 feet.

The Birdman of Alcatraz. Robert Stroud, the convicted murderer who became known as the Birdman of Alcatraz, is buried in the Metropolis City cemetery.

Kinkaid Mounds State Historic Site, Brookport. Large flat-topped mounds were built at this location atop which were located temples and houses housing the Mississippian Culture elite. The center of a community that sprawled along the Ohio River from Brookport to Hamletsburg between 800-1500, the mounds remain. Many at the site are ringed around what was an important plaza where ceremonial activities were held and the game chunky played. Ruled by a king, perhaps a Great Sun as at Cahokia Mounds, the city was supported by the cultivation of corn, or maize. An overlook platform is available along with interpretive panels telling the story of the 105-acre site.

American Hollywood Museum, Metropolis. Besides the Super Museum, Metropolis also boasts a museum focusing on other stars of Hollywood.