12 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Illinois

This summer, when you're out taking selfies in front of the largest ketchup bottles, why not make a quick detour to some historic sights in Illinois? Be a part of history, after the fact. And you most likely can still take your selfie.

1. Cahokia Mounds

This is where one of the most sophisticated civilizations built their home. You can check out the series of mounds from almost 1,000 years ago and see how they lived.

2. Dana-Thomas House

This house is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Prairie Period" architecture. This beautiful home is open for tours (Springfield).

3. Sears, Roebuck and Company

This was the headquarters and site of main operations for Sears for 70 years. The complex was truly a city within in city, with its own fire department and bank.

4. Rock Island Arsenal

This massive complex is 946 acres. It is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal. It was also home to a notorious prison camp during the Civil War, where many Confederate soldiers died.

5. Pullman Historic District

This was the first planned community in the United States, where everything was supposed to be absolutely ideal. Of course, ideals are ideals, and this community suffered a whole lot of problems. Nevertheless, you can visit this district and see some of the old buildings.

6. Old Capitol Building

The Old Capitol Building is built in the Greek revival style. This building is most famous for being the site of Lincoln's famous "House Divided" speech.

7. Nauvoo Historic District

Nauvoo was once the home of Mormons as they tried to escape religious persecution. You can still find a lot of the historic buildings and places commemorating that heritage.

8. Morrow Plots

The Morrow Plots are an experimental corn field. It is the oldest one in the United States, and the second oldest in the world.

9. Modoc Rock Shelter

This site provides evidence of the Archaic Period in the Eastern United States, explaining its significance. It was undercut by Ice Age floods.

10. Lincoln Tomb

This site was one of the first places to get onto the National Register of Historic Places. This is where President Lincoln, his wife, and three of their children are buried.

11. Abraham Lincoln Home

This was the only Illinois home Lincoln ever lived in. He lived there from 1844-1861 (before he became President of the United States).

12. Haymarket Martyr's Memorial

The Haymarket Affair refers to a bombing that took place at a demonstration for labor rights in the 1800s. Civilians and police officers were killed, and many other were wounded. This memorial commemorates the defendants in this event.

Have you been to any of these landmarks?