This lime kiln was in operation until the early 1900's and burned rock from the nearby quarry to produce mortar, an indespensible building ingredient for early pioneers. The Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln was completely restored and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

The very first gasoline filling station in Rochelle and the first filling station built along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois. The filling station has been restored to its original design, including the canopy over the pumps and the 1918 equipment. The facility also houses the office of the Roch ...

One of the largest prehistoric Hopewell Mound groups in Illinois. Interpretive displays, bike trails, cross-country ski trails, picnic tables. Free.

The Amboy Depot Museum is located in a former depot built in 1876 which served as the division headquarters of the Illinois Central Railroad located in Amboy, Illinois. The building is an architecturally unique two-story building built of brick and cut Joliet limestone and is listed on the Nationa ...

Old-fashioned pharmacy with soda fountain. Homemade chocolate, old-fashioned sodas, shakes and malts, flavored cokes, phosphates, old-time atmosphere, wooden floor, old cabinets, penny candy and more. Closed major holidays.  

First frame house built in 1839 by Whiteside County’s first settler. Restoration in progress. Donations.

War Memorials built by local Boy Scouts to honor local war veterans. The Major Thomas Koritz Memorial is in his honor for his ultimate sacrifice made in Desert Storm. The memorials are one of a kind as they are the only War Memorials built in the United States by youth.

Oldest burial site in Northern Illinois. Veterans of the Black Hawk War (1832) were buried here after fighting and dying in the only war to take place on Illinois soil.

Located in the historic Conover Square Mall, this museum features rooms of vintage toys, collectibles, sleighs, farm equipment and relics of the past.  Free admission.  Open year round.

Created by artist Lorado Taft and dedicated as a study in the character of the American Indian. The lighted concrete figure stands 50 feet above the beautiful Rock River.

Sublette was awarded the Burma Shave-like signs by Reminisce Magazine — the only such site in Illinois. Signs are approximately one-half mile south of Sublette along highway 52.

The first brick house built in Polo is now a tourist information center and home of the Blackhawk Waterways Convention and Visitors Bureau. Stop here for assistance in planning your day. Visitors hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:30 to 4:30.

Featuring local history and the Lucius Read house (circa 1843), the museum's exhibits include "Into the Outhouse", "Clamming on the Rock", information about local professional baseball player A.G. Spalding, the Underground Railroad, and more. Closed on Mondays. Call for group tou ...

In continuous use since 1853, the former Shimer College closed in 1976 and the 14-acre campus was established as the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies in 1979.  The campus is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. CCHPS offers 3-5 day courses in areas of historic p ...

The northernmost and oldest section of the current courthouse was built in Mount Carroll after the county seat was relocated there in 1843. The 1858 courthouse is listed on the National Register for Historic Places.

This two-room schoolhouse was built in 1883 and was recently restored. Living history programs, school artifacts and more.

Founded and supported by the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, Chaplin Creek Village is an evolving, full-scale historical restoration project depicting a prairie settlement typical of the middle 19th century. The village is being developed around a crossroads named Timothy and Taylor as m ...

Located In Eclipse Square in downtown Prophetstown. WWI brass naval cannon on carriage.

Two Civil War cannons grace the lawn of the courthouse.

Statue of Civil War soldier.