22Discover.FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 3/18/22 11:50 AM Page 50
M
MONTICELLO: PIATT COUNTY
Monticello: Take In All The City Has To Offer
educational and music events throughout the year. For an upcoming onticello, the Piatt County seat, offers a breath of fresh air with a town square built around a refurbished courthouse in an area events lists, visit allerton.illinois.edu/events_archive/. that invites guests to slow down and relax. The downtown has The Monticello Railway Museum, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit orbeen listed on the National Register of Hisganization, is also a popular tourist attractoric Places. Monticello has the added distion. The museum is located just north of tinction of having two of its residential areas Monticello at exit 166 off Interstate 72. listed on the National Register of Historic Since the museum’s founding in 1966, one Places. North State Street and South Charter of its goals has been to preserve and restore the nation’s railroad heritage, with a focus on Street each feature homes with a wide array the Midwest. of architectural styles. Of course, the highlight of a visit to the On and off the square, downtown Montimuseum is a train ride. Passengers may board cello’s one-of-a-kind shops, galleries and the train at either the restored Illinois Central restaurants provide a diverse array of things Depot at the museum grounds or the historic to do and see. Visitors will want to stop at Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello for Out of The Blue for the largest selection of a round-trip train ride. The museum is open Polish pottery and gifts, and enjoy its new loweekends, May through October. For more cation at 223 E. Livingston St. If you are The Piatt County Courthouse in Monticello information, visit mrym.org. lucky, when you visit Prairie Fire Glass at 217 W. Washington St., you may get to see a new Railroad history runs deep in the area. In hand-blown creation being made. Also, swing by one of the many local 1880, the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad purchased the Chicago eateries for lunch or a sweet treat, while you are there. & Paducah Railroad, which was the north-south line through MontiMonticello is a “Lincoln Storyboard” community. Lincoln storyboards, cello. Later in the decade, Jay Gould, known as one of the famous “Robeach telling a part of the Lincoln Monticello story, are located in the downber Barons,” purchased the line. Gould lost control of the Wabash in town Rotary Park, at the downtown Wabash Depot, and at the Railway the late 1880s, and the subsequent owners found much financial sucMuseum. cess. A new station was planned for Monticello and built in 1899. That The unique charm of nearby Allerton Park, an extensively landscaped depot was moved to museum property in the late 1980s. Eventually, the depot was restored and still stands today as a testament to a bygone era park mixed with ornaments, fine art and a manor house modeled after Ham in railroading. House in England, provides visitors with a grand tourist destination. The park was donated to the University of Illinois for public use in 1946 by Along with Allerton Park, the community features Nick’s Community Robert Allerton, the son of a well-established banker and livestock baron. Playground near the downtown area, and Lodge Park, which is a 500-acre The park is open to the public daily until sunset. The park can be entered park north of Monticello. Lodge Park offers camping, hiking and biking and serves as the site of the annual Independence Day celebration on July 3. from town on its south side or from the north. Formal gardens and more than 100 sculptures are located near the mansion. Allerton House is used as a retreat center and is the perfect place for a 2022 Monticello Calendar of Events wedding or conference. The main facade of the 40-room Georgian manVisit monticellochamber.org, for more information on all events. sion overlooks a reflecting pool and meadow. The native forest, a 50-acre Dates are tentative and subject to change. restored prairie, Lost Garden (a wilderness garden) and 1,500 acres of Please call ahead for specific information and additional activities. woodland, following the Sangamon River with numerous hiking trails, Every 3rd Saturday April-October: Garden Tours. Allerton Park. make the park a great attraction. Most Saturdays and Sundays, April 23-September 25: Throttle Time. The Allerton forest supports an extensive animal population. Bird species unusual to the area can be seen in the forest, and the migratory Monticello Railway. bird population is impressive in the spring and fall. Allerton Park and ReEvery Saturday and Sunday, April 30-October 2: Weekend Train treat Center is one of the “7 Wonders of Illinois.” The park holds many Rides. Monticello Railway Museum. Diesel most weekends. Every 3rd Saturday: Storytime at Bryant Cottage. Geared to kids 5-10. Thursday Afternoons, June 16-Oct 6: Farmers Market. Downtown. April 1, 2: Allerton Races: Trail Glo, Half Marathon, 10K. Allerton Park. April 3: Mudpuppy Festival. Monarch Events Center, downtown. April 10: Community Yoga. Allerton Park. April 16: Full Moon Yoga. Allerton Park. April 17: 3rd Saturday Garden Tours. Allerton Park. April 23: Youth Art Studio. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Allerton Park. April 23, 24: High School Rodeo. Piatt County Trailblazers. April 29: Arbor Day Tree & Bird Hike. Allerton Park. May 1: Boutique Bash and Market on Main. Spring shopping, music. May 6: Kirby Derby Packet Pickup. Piatt Co. Forest Preserve Pavilion. May 7: Kirby Derby-15th Anniversary. Kids fun run, walk, 5K and 10K. May 7, 8: Moms Ride Free. Monticello Railway Museum. May 13: Container Gardening Workshop. Allerton Park. May 15: Community Yoga on the Bowling Lawn. Allerton Park. Monticello Continued On Page 77
PAGE 50 | 2022 Discover Visitor & Vacation Guide To Central Illinois
