Take a Trip to the Weird Side of Southwest Illinois
Hulking artifacts and statues, old Route 66 fascinations, the strange and the quirky- these 12 road-side attractions will take you off the beaten path!
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Oddities-Map.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=288464b563d82095f94024db6cd9d311 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Oddities-Map.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1048982551e8100001cad2f1bc8447aa 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Oddities-Map.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=50a63b6b78f1735380273d46f78335ef 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Oddities-Map.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=14a1c5ea581d8c2a6f0ab789938124b0 883w)
From hippies to ghost chasers, conservationists to history hunters, southwest Illinois is a melting pot of eclectic people and places to visit. Nestled between the great rivers and the historic Mother Road, the area has long been a hub of industry and cross-country travel. Many strange places were built between the byways- some historic- some gimmicky- but all are sure to make you scratch your head.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=60fe7859c8812b82a4792d5c934044e8 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=16aadc7ccaef18769a5b432affebf6c5 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=773ea12ad8e638d4ee95276579a95728 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=89600592a316221fbc3ec176e1e7a106 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6f966a0a6d2360fed3466f5cc61e1947 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=bfa9261703c9b9c75fb8b26c7b9480bc 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Elsah-Mistakehouse.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8d1d204dcb8a1a1597433b91635d76fb 1584w)
Elsah
1. The Mistake House- 1 Front Gate Road Elsah, IL- Built in 1931 at the inception of Principia College, the Mistake House is a Frankenstein mashup of building styles all in one house. The house was meant to showcase all the building styles of the then-new Principia College; it ended up becoming one of the strangest-looking houses in the area.
Travel Note: Principia College is a private property- the Mistake House can only be viewed on a scheduled guided tour of the campus by calling (618) 374-2131
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=74398a9d1c6b95368060435964d6ef1f 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1376dfb4d2f948eb9dc4acbf4b966ff3 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f012113e317d4c198b326da29dfa1fec 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=118ba44b4c062c59c67ed77f69775cbb 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=da7e7163c97c553a968e3ce6fc0a332b 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f7d736fe35ae8c1ded463ae652bc6f0c 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Piasa-Bird-Mascot.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=420cbc607973839af1a103d48e6c276e 1500w)
Piasa
2. Monstrous Mascot- Southwestern Piasa Bird- Main St., Piasa, IL-
The brother of the Alton Piasa Bird, this relocated piece of art is on the north end of Southwestern High School's football field, which is conveniently located next to the highway. It's on the east side of Hwy 267/111.
The Piasa Bird is Southwestern District 9’s mascot and weighs 9,000 lbs. It was acquired from the City of Alton after being decommissioned in the 90’s when Alton repainted the mythical dragon on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/@javakat14-curiosity-museum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2fe26a3f10ba00327ab56022804d4ce4 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/@javakat14-curiosity-museum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8d34022e83ebc3edbfd724478bf802ae 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/@javakat14-curiosity-museum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=bd499b40f19d9122f6674d6abe73659b 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/@javakat14-curiosity-museum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a599ca01f6a0603a2fc760ac0d6e18af 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/@javakat14-curiosity-museum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=285f2c3b4bc813755549196f63675fb8 1053w)
Alton
3. Curiosity Museum- 301 E. Broadway, Alton, IL- Located in the old Mineral Springs mall, the Curiosity Museum is dedicated to the history of odd- it contains over 80 unusual exhibits showcasing quack medicine, bizarre art and illusions, the history of torture, and more. From meteorites to vampire-killing kits- this museum definitely raises eyebrows
Bonus Oddity: Alton Night Market- 627 E Broadway, Alton, IL- the Night Market, held every Thursday night in the summer months- most often June and July- is an oddity all its own. The market sells obscure artworks, crafts, food, and often has art installations and performers on site- you never know what you might find if you go!
Granite City
4. Luna Café- 201 E Chain of Rocks Rd, Granite City, IL- The Luna Café is one of the few original Route 66 restaurants still open to the public- built in 1924- two years before the Mother Road opened- you can still grab a meal there today. The Luna Café was a hangout spot of notorious gangster, Al Capone, and other gangsters who purportedly gambled in the basement
5. Ten-Person Swing- 1834 State St., Granite City, IL- a giant swing created by Brian Depauli- the swing serves as both a piece of art and usable playground equipment and is titled: “A Swing For All My Friends”. Bring your friends. Really!
Edwardsville
6. World’s Largest Geriatric Walker- Circle Drive, Edwardsville, IL- Located on Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville’s college campus, this 25 foot walker is the largest on Earth- created for SIUE’s annual sculpture park exhibit.
Staunton
7. Henry’s Rabbit Ranch- 1107 Historic Old Rte 66, Staunton, IL- A Route 66 attraction dedicated to rabbits- both the furry kind and the automobile kind- owned by Rich Henry. Pet furry friends on the shop counter, See both a Volkswagen Rabbit and pet rabbit graveyard, observe artifacts from the Mother Road, and learn about the history of Route 66 in Staunton.
8. Country Classic Cars- 2149 E Frontage Rd, Staunton, IL- Serving as both a dealership and museum, Country Classic Cars is dedicated to showcasing the old and historic vehicles of yesteryear. Located near the infamous Mother Road, come see classic restored muscle cars and show vehicles- maybe even buy one while you’re there!
9. Route 66 Storage, Market, and Giant Rocking Chair- 20623 Route 66, Staunton IL- a unique flea market on Route 66 with a Giant Route 66 Rocking Chair out front- great for a kitschy photo opportunity!
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0fb77f2a5a3633071286c80a285e2b04 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b635384018938f3e25d1807d297f3a38 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d62dd53a938e2fe6e0fde901c42f10c6 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=fb8c9fce2c7e997ce75dba918c30f620 1024w)
Litchfield
10. Litchfield Skyview Drive-In- 1500 Old Rte 66 N, Litchfield, IL-
Opened in the spring of 1950, the Sky View Drive-In has been a classic Route 66 stop for over 70 consecutive years. A dying breed, drive-in movie theaters used to line the Mother Road- now the Sky View is one of only four in the entirety of the nation- three of those in Illinois.
Sky View is in the Route 66 Hall of Fame and still plays new and retro films. The original 1950’s snack bar is still in operation serving old-fashioned food and candies.
Hillsboro
11. Gettysburg Address Time Capsule- Courthouse Square, Hillsboro, IL-
A plaque of the Gettysburg address in bronze with a time capsule beneath a slab- a cannon sits atop, guarding the contents beneath. The cannon and plaque have been around since 1931 and the capsule was added 45 years later to celebrate America’s bicentennial anniversary.
BONUS ODDITY: A second time capsule is being added in Hillsboro on November 28th at 1:00 P.M. to commemorate Montgomery County’s bicentennial. It will contain objects like newspaper clippings, a 2021 graduation tassel, a church bulletin, gasoline receipts, a Covid-19 mask, a photo of city hall members, and a key to the city- along with other items from 2021. The new time capsule will not be opened until the year 2071 and city hall is accepting contributions to the capsule for a fee of $10.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Cannonball-Jail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15a3f31b6be3b5ee3f80d38fdd872001 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Cannonball-Jail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4fca7b325e352e6616bf873c8e2cbd57 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Cannonball-Jail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d417ff1bfabb6e0824e46a2e66e2e3d0 720w)
Carlinville
12. Cannonball Jail- 201 East Main Street, Carlinville, IL-
Constructed in 1859 using the “cannon ball method” which implanted civil war cannonballs in the walls to make escape by removal of stones nearly impossible, the Gothic-revival building once held 25-30 prisoners in the upper floors and basement.
Prisoners lived in rough conditions- the floors were dirt and meals were cooked by the Sheriff’s wife. Original bunks still exist in the basement. The building is currently under reassessment for repairs and the interior is closed, but the old exterior is still an interesting pit stop.
About the Author
Kayla Howland
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