Visitors Guide to Clinton County, Illinois

Clinton County is a county focused on agriculture, consistently the largest dairy producing county in Illinois. But among the small towns and wheat fields are some unique sites visitors can check out.

Carlyle Lake. The city of Carlyle is at the base of the dam for the 26,000 acre Carlyle Lake, Illinois's largest man-made lake, maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, which built it. Numerous activities are scheduled here throughout the year. Not the least are sailing and boating opportunities, swimming beaches, and free presentations at the various campgrounds during the summer. In 2009, the lake began hosting the first Illinois High School Association-sanctioned Bass Fishing Tournament in conjunction with a festival in Carlyle. On the southwest shore is Eldon Hazlett State Park. Fireworks display held on the Saturday before the 4th of July on the water across from the Dam West Recreation Area.

Bob's Civil War Fort, Germantown. A stone fort built on farmland in Germantown by Bob Eversgerd. Call ahead (618-523-4749) for a tour showing off the cannon, as well as one-room home, jail, livery, log cabins, stagecoach, and more. There are also Native American and pioneer artifacts on display.

Centralia. The west end of Centralia is in Clinton County, the east end in Marion County, and the southern tip in Washington County. Of interest in Clinton County's portion is the the annual Balloonfest in August in Foundation Park with more than 40 hot air balloons, evening balloon glows, music, car show, craft fair, and cardboard boat races. There's also the Centralia Fall festival with a Halloween parade on October 31st.

The General Dean Bridge, Carlyle. Illinois' only suspension bridge crosses the Kaskaskia River below the spillway at the southern end of Carlyle Lake. Honors General William F. Dean, a Carlyle native who commanded the defense of the Allied pocket in Pusan during the early days of the Korean War and stopped the North Korean advance, after which he was captured and underwent years as a POW. Although built in 1859 across the Kaskaskia River to carry pioneers along the Goshen Trail taking westward-bound travelers to the St Louis area, it was renamed in General Dean's honor in 1953.

Coal Miners Monument, Beckemeyer. Located on Louis Street next to the American Legion hall. The monument depicts Joseph Koch and eight other local miners who died in a 1947 coal mine explosion.

Clinton County Fair, Carlyle. Held in mid-July at the county fairgrounds, the fair includes agricultural product exhibits, livestock, farm machinery, carnival rides, games, tractor pulls, food vendors, and a fair queen pageant as well as a Saturday parade.

Clinton County Historical Museum, Carlyle. At 1091 Franklin Street. Dating from the late 1800's when it was a private residence. The museum displays many artifacts from the area and offers genealogical material, as well as books and periodicals on the history of the county. 618-594-4015.

J.H. Bison Ranch, Trenton. At 10802 Sunnyside School Road. Tours offered which include feeding baby bison, photos with baby bison, llamas, horses, and her tours. 618-934-3029