Pere Marquette
State Park
Home to Illinois' Largest State Park, the Pere Marquette,
Jersey County is
an active nature lover's paradise. At the Park and in
nearby locales, you
and your family can enjoy any of the following activities:
hiking, horseback
riding, camping, biking, fishing, and boating. Overlooking
the breathtaking
expanse of the Mississippi River, the 7,895-acre preservation
area was
named for Father Marquette, a French missionary who,
in 1673, was
among the first group of Europeans to reach the confluence
area of the
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The Park Lodge hosts
50 spacious guest
rooms, 22 natural stone guest cabins, a cocktail lounge,
an indoor
swimming pool, a whirlpool, saunas, game room, and tennis
court. The
Lodge also provides elegant dining and a famous all-you-can-eat
Sunday
Brunch whose scrumptious cuisine that draws people from
both Missouri
and Illinois. For more information, contact the Pere
Marquette Park Office
at (618) 786-3323.
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Great River Road Scenic Adventures
& The River Bike Trail
Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Midwest,"
the Great River
Road is one of the most spectacular stretches of highway
in the nation.
Following the great Mississippi River, nestled between
the water's edge
and the panoramic bluffs that rise up for hundreds of
feet. It is truly one of
Illinois' best kept secrets. Depending upon the time
of year, a leisurely
drive along the Great River Road can offer sightings
of the majestic Bald
American Eagle, exquisite budding spring blossoms along
the tree-filled
expanse, or the spectacular warm hues of our autumn foliage.
One of the
few bicycle trails in Illinois follows the Great River
Road from Alton to the
Pere Marquette State park for 20 breathtaking miles.
All members of the family will enjoy the challenging and scenic ride along
the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, past the towering limestone bluffs
and along the spectacular River Valley Area.
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The Brussels Free Ferry
The Brussels Ferry, one of the few remaining free ferries
in the United
States, operates across the Illinois River and into Calhoun
County. To
experience the Ferry fun, travel along the Great River
Road,
just Northwest of Grafton. Once you arrive at the loading
dock, you can
enjoy the river just like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer did-
by way of a truly
unique trip aboard the Brussels Ferry.
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Exotic American Eagle Tours
A visit to Jersey County in the winter guaranteessightings
of the majestic
symbol of the United States- the American Bald
Eagle. Jersey County
and its environs is the third largest roosting area for
the American Bald
Eagle in the nation. The exquisite creatures arrive in
Jersey County in
late November and roost until early March. From daylight
until dusk,
they can be seen soaring high above the countryside,
resting along the
river bluffs, or fishing along the great Mississippi
and Illinois Rivers.
You have two options when it comes to having a memorable
eagle-watching experience. You can drive along the Great
River Road for
an informal do-it-yourself tour. Or, you might consider
signing up for a
formal eagle-watching tour with either Mississippi Expeditions
Tours
(800) 394-5840 or the Alton Convention and Visitor's
Bureau (800)
ALTON-IL.
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Historic Adventures &
Driving Tour of Courthouse Square,
Jerseyville (Coming in May);
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to experience the
awe-inspiring
architecture and hear the stories BEHIND the magnificent
buildings.
Highlights of the tour include the spectacular 518 Victorian
Restaurant,
the gothic splendor of the Jersey County Courthouse Square,
Homeridge,
the exquisite mansion formerly owned by the late Illinois
State Senator
Chapman, and Hazel Dell, Col. Willilam Fulkerson's historic
farm and
mansion, whose structure and furnishings captivatingly
illustrate the Civil
War Period. The tour audiocassette can be acquired at
the tour's first stop-
the 518 South Restaurant, (518 S. State St.) or at the
Jersey County
Chamber of Commerce (209 N. State St.).
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Hamilton School, Otterville
Otterville hosts the first free and integrated school
in the United States, the
Hamilton School. The school was originally built in 1835,
and the present
building was erected in 1873. A monument to Dr. Hamilton,
the visionary
benefactor of the school, is located at the site. It
was dedicated by George
Washington, a former slave who was freed by his master,
the same Dr.
Hamilton.
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The Historical Society Museum
The Jersey County Historical Museum rests on Lots 1 and
2 of the
original Town of Jerseyville. The land was transferred
to the town in 1836,
and the first known family inhabited the area in 1863.
The heirs of the
house's last private owner, Dorothy Gledhill, donated
the house to the
Historical Society in 1991. It now serves as a historical
museum and
portrays life in Jersey County from the 1800's up to
the present time. The
museum offers the visitor countless fascinating historical
stories, pictures,
and artifacts that will leave you wanting to learn more
about precious
Jersey County. For more information about the museum,
call (618)
498-3511.
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Raging Rivers Water Park,
Grafton
Raging Rivers invites you to ride the tide on four-foot
waves at Breaker
Beach, a giant wave pool. Or enjoy the action at
Tree House Harbor, our
new interactive family play area. Youngsters will
enjoy Itty Bitty Surf City
with pint-sized water slides, splash pools and more.
Or enjoy an endless
float at Trickle Creek. For more excitement try
the 500-foot Cascade
Body Flumes. Experience the real-life adventures
of wild rapids in Run-
a-way Rafts. The Swirlpool is three rides in one
and the only attraction of
its kind in the U.S. For your comfort and safety,
Raging Rivers is staffed
with certified lifeguards trained in the most current
lifesaving techniques.
In addition, an Emergency Medical Technician is on duty
at all times.
For more information, call the park at (800) 548-7573.
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Parasailing, Boating
You can experience a plethora of River Fun along the Illinois
River! For a
peaceful, relaxing day on the water, you can go canoeing
or motorboating.
Or, if you prefer a more adventurous outing, try parasailing
or water skiing.
For those who would prefer to enjoy the River from a
distance, you can
relax with a refreshing quaff and some terrific eats
at the Loading Dock.
Contact the 3 Mid Rivers parasail at the Loading Dock
(618) 786-3494
for more information.
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Hunter's and Fisher's Paradise
Hunting is another favorite fall activity within Jersey
County- and you
won't find a better place to hunt for quail, deer, squirrel,
rabbit, and wild
turkey. Another exciting adventure involves mushroom
hunting, another
popular springtime activity. The Illinois Department
of Natural Resources
has designated twelve local access areas within the region.
Contact the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the locations
of the access
areas (618) 376-3303.
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Summer Festivals
Antique Automobile Cruise-In
A favorite summer activity in Jersey County is the Street
Machine Association's Antique Automobile Cruise-In, held
in
Jerseyville. Automobile enthusiasts from all over the
Midwest
come to admire these beautiful, exciting cars and to
return to
the "good ol' days" of spectacular vehicles.
4th of July Festivals
The Fourth of July is celebrated in a grand fashion by
many towns
and cities within Jersey County. You can enjoy spectacular
fireworks, downtown parades, and barbecue festivals held
in our
attractive local parks.
County Fair
The Jersey County Fair, held in early July, features
a week of
old-fashioned country fun. We have harness racing, magic
shows,
beauty pageants, livestock showings and judgings, musical
entertainment, and a midway with rides, concessions,
and game
booths.
Victorian Days
On Labor Day Weekend (Sat.-Mon.), don't miss the Jersey
County Victorian Festival. The spectacular Festival promotes
the educational, historical, and cultural aspects of
our
agricultural history and furthers the understanding of
the Civil
War through reenactments, encampments, and living history.
Come experience the Col. William Fulkerson mansion and
the Victorian Festival- where the North meets the South!
Tri-County Antique Club's Olden Days Festival
Held in Brighton the fourth weekend in August, this is
a must-see for
antique car lovers, the show features vintage cars and
tractors, as
well as an exciting tractor-pull contest.
The Hamilton School Homecoming Festival
The Hamilton School Homecoming is held annually on the
third
weekend in September. Come experience Homecoming, unique
arts and crafts booths, wagon rides, live country music,
and a
delectable homestyle barbecue.
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