Watch this movie starring Tyrone Power to learn more about the Mississippi River! https://youtu.be/3010MNS8kqU
This time our books are set in Illinois. Two of our titles are also available as an audio book. Click on the pictures of the book covers to begin reading!
Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World by Clifton R. Wooldridge
Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams
This title is also available as an audiobook from Librivox. Click on the headphones to get the audiobook! 
The Cliff-Dwellers by Henry Blake Fuller
This title is also available as an audiobook from Librivox. Click on the headphones to get the audiobook!
The Graysons: A Story of Illinois by Edward Eggleston
Welcome to Illinois, the next state on our Great River Road virtual vacation! In addition to the numerous views and nature activities, you will also learn more about the Mississippi River. Explore the system of locks and dams at the National Great Rivers Museum and explore more Mounds at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Let's get started! Click on the photo below to find out more about the Great River road in Illinois.
The Villa Kathrine is a Moroccan-style home located on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois. This home was built in 1900 for Quincy George Metz who liked Mediterranean architecture. Many of the designs for the exterior and exterior of the building were based upon Metz's sketches of Islamic architecture that he observed during his global travels.
According to local legend, Metz shared his travels with a woman he met in Germany and intended to bring her to Quincy. The woman, however refused to move into the lavish new home that Metz had commissioned, and Metz returned to the United States broken-hearted and alone. Another version of the story states that this mysterious woman died en route to Quincy. It was reported that Metz was not a total recluse after his heartbreak, as he was known throughout the community for hosting lavish parties at his home and dining with friends. But for twelve years, the only companion to share in his dream house was his 212-pound Great Dane named Bingo. Click on the picture to take a tour of this site!
The National Great Rivers Museum is located in Alton, Illinois. Located at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this state-of-the-art museum is dedicated to telling the story of life on the Mississippi River. Learn how the river shaped our culture, history, economy, and ecology. Click on the picture to below to tour this Museum!
The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is the site of a pre-Columbian Native American city located directly across the Mississippi River from modern St. Louis, MO. The park is approximately 3.5 square miles and contains about 80 mounds. It is considered the largest and most complex archaeological site north of the great pre-Columbian cities in Mexico. Click on the picture above to take a tour of this site!
Fort de Chartres was a French fortification first built in 1720 on the Mississippi River in present-day Illinois. It was used as an administrative center for the province. Due generally to river floods, the fort was rebuilt twice, the last time in the 1750s. The fort's stone magazine is considered the oldest building in the state of Illinois. Today it is the site of several large re-enactments of colonial-era civil and military life each summer. Click on the photo to find out more about this historic site.
The world's largest catsup bottle is located in Collinsville, Illinois! Even though catsup can not be thought of as a main meal item, it is a great condiment! Click on the picture to find out more more at the official web site and fan club!
