The Marshall House

Visit the museum to see a copy of legal $3.00 and $7.00 bills issued by the bank and the vault later used by the bank. The reconstructed bank is open weekends Mother’s Day to the end of October. Saturdays 10-noon and 2-4; Sundays 1-4. For appointments other times call 618-272-7038 or 618-559-9040.

The Five Column Bank

The first state chartered bank in Illinois is also located in Old Shawneetown. The bank was opened in 1840. Salt production from the Salines and land sales were the driving forces behind the accumulation of wealth in the then thriving river town. The 1937 Ohio River Flood caused the majority of the town’s residents to move to New Shawneetown. Stains from that flood can still be seen just below the base of the top story windows. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has been restoring the building since the 1970’s.

The Old Slave House

On Hickory Hill overlooking the Saline River just south of Routes 1 and 13 sits the John Hart Crenshaw House built in the 1830’s, more commonly known as the Old Slave House. Most recently the house was privately owned by two generations of the Sisk family who developed it into a nationally recognized historic landmark.

According to the United States Constitution slavery was forbidden in any new state formed from the Northwest Territory. Therefore Illinois was to be slave free. However an exception to allow the use of slaves in the salt industry was made in the first Illinois Constitution of 1818 for the region known as the Gallatin Salines. Why was this exception allowed? From 1807 to 1818 Illinois paid the United States Treasury $28,160.25. During the same time Ohio paid $240 and Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri paid nothing. One third of the State of Illinois revenue came from the salt industry in 1818.

The third floor of the house has several small cells about 3ft X 6ft where slaves were kept. Also evident is a driveway through the center of the house. Documentation of legal slavery and a reverse underground railroad where freed slaves were captured and sold south was identified through research by regional historians including Ron Nelson and Jon Musgrave.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency which now owns the building does not yet have the property open to the public.

Salt

Salt from the Salines has attracted animals and people to the region since prehistoric times. Half Moon Lick is about 1 mile southwest of Equality. It is a depression about 12 feet deep and ¼ mile from tip to tip. Prehistoric animals such as the mastodon visited the Lick. The abundance of animals brought man.

The Great Salt Springs is located about ¼ mile west of the Saline River and Route 1. Pottery sherds of Late Woodland and Mississippian cultures can be found washed down from the cliff overlooking the spring. Native Americans used evaporation bowls made from clay tempered with mussel shells. Rocks have been found that indicate that they were heated and placed in the pottery to hasten evaporation. Evidence exists of Native Americans in the area from 100 BC to the 1600’s AD. The Piankashaw and later the Shawnee are both supposed to have made salt at the springs.

An original salt kettle is located at the Ohio River Visitor Center. 

French Fort Steps

The French were the first Europeans in the area arriving from Detroit around 1685 to “establish a traffic in salt.” Eventually they built a block house on the bluff at the southern end of Calhoun Street. The steps are still there. However since they are on private property there is no public access to them.

The earliest known English came to the Gallatin Salines around 1802. However the United States Congress was debating the leasing of the salt lick and salt springs to individuals in the 1799-1800 winter session. In 1803 the Great Salt Spring was leased to a Captain Bell of Lexington, Kentucky. Salt quickly became the greatest revenue producing industry in Illinois.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was a Shawnee Chief who attempted to unite the Midwestern tribes in a common cause of resistance to the western advancement of the white settlements. He viewed the resistance as a holy war, designed to protect the native way of life. His used the metaphor of a bundle of sticks. You can break one stick but not the entire bundle. He was killed in the Battle of Thames in Canada in 1813 at the age of 44.

The bronze statue is located at Glen O. Jones Lake in the Saline County Fish and Wildlife Area 5 miles southeast of Equality off of Forest Road.

Glen O. Jones Lake/
Saline County Fish and Wildlife

Located 5 miles southeast of Equality off of Forest Road the 105 acre lake was originally a salt springs site. Today the 1,270 acre park is available for picnicking, camping, fishing, boating, camping with horses and winter sports. Freshly cooked concessions are available lakeside at Mermaids Bait Shack as well as boat, canoe, paddle boat rentals and bait from April through mid-November. For more information about the park call 618-276-4405. Mermaid's Bait Shack number is 618-276-4475.

Stone Face Trail

Located south of Harrisburg off Route 145. Turn east on "Whitesville" County Road about 4 miles to Stoneface Road.  Enjoy hiking the cliffside trails.

Garden of the Gods

One of the most recognized features of the Garden of the Gods area is Camel Rock. Also in the area are Anvil Rock and Devil’s Smokestack. Located about 12 miles southeast of Equality on Forest Road, Camel Rock is easily accessible on a ¼ mile natural flagstone trail. Picnic areas, restrooms, parking backpacking, hiking and camping areas are available.

Pounds Hollow    

Located on Karbers Ridge road 2 miles west of Illinois Route 1 this picturesque lake and campgrounds provide one of the few public beaches in the Shawnee Forest. The campground has over 35 sites and is open April 1 to Dec 15 for a $5 a night fee. Picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing and hiking are available.

Rim Rock

A 0.8 mile trail around the top of the escarpment goes by an ancient wall built by members of the Woodland culture. Follow the stairwell down to a huge rock shelter known as “Ox-Lot Cave” and “Fat Man’s Misery,” a passage through huge boulders to the ½ mile Beaver Trail that connects with Pounds Hollow.

The Saline County Pioneer Village & Museum

This replica of an 1800’s pioneer village features log cabins, a one -room school, a log barn with a threshing floor, a church, a jail, a general store, a block house and a museum all located on the original site of the county poor farm. Located at 1600 South Feazel Street on the south side of Harrisburg. The village is open Tuesday through Saturday 9-4, Sunday 12-4. Tours are available at 2 pm. Closed Monday and holidays. The grounds are open until dark all year. Call 618-253-7342 for a listing of special events.

Illinois Iron Furnace

“Pig-iron” was first smelted here beginning in 1840. Sporadic production continued until 1880. Located on a blacktop road north of Rosicare and south of Karber’s Ridge this National Register of Historic Places site offers hiking, picnicking and even a “swimming hole” in the nearby Big Creek stream.

Cave-In-Rock State Park

 The cave, once the home of river pirates and counterfieters is now a state park. A restaurant, cabins and picnic areas are on a bluff overlooking the Ohio river in beautiful Hardin County. Campsites are also available. For reservations at the park call 618-289-4545. A free river ferry leading to the Kentucky and the Amish country operates year round between 6am and 9 pm.

Rose Hotel 

The completely restored hotel was originally built in 1812. It is the oldest hotel in Illinois. It offers a wonderful view of the Ohio River in Elizabethtown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places it is run as a bed and breakfast. 618-287-2872.

Shawnee Queen River Taxi 

Board the river taxi at Rosiclare to take a 2 hour trip to Cave-In-Rock or Golconda. The fee determined by the destination is well worth it. Walk-ons are boarded on a space-available basis. Reservations encouraged. 618-285-3342 or toll free 877-667-6123.

American Fluorite Museum

Located in Rosiclare the museum has an extensive collection of fluorspar and mining equipment. At one time Rosiclare was the site of the largest spar mine in the U.S.. Hours--Fri-Sun 10am-4pm.  

Lock Keeper’s Houses

Located on the Ohio River’s banks in Golconda at the area known as dam 51 four former lock keeper homes have been restored and are available for overnight lodging. 618-683-6702.

Golconda Marina

  The marina located at the mouth of Lusk Creek on the Ohio River offers docking and storage facilities for boaters.

 Dixon Springs State Park 

The native Americans were the first to use the mineral water from the springs. The park includes a swimming pool, water slide, wading pool, concession stand, picnic tables and campsites with electric hook-ups or primitive sites. A large kitchen/dining room is available for private functions. Hiking trails lead to spectacular rock formations. For reservations call 618-949-3304.

Lake Glendale 

The beach is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, seven days a week 10-6 pm. No motors are allowed on the lake but you can rent paddleboats or jon boats. Horseback riding, picnic areas and camp sites are available. Located half way between Harrisburg and Metropolis on Illinois 145.  618-949-3807.

Also see the attractions of Southwestern Illinois.