St. Francisville IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near St. Francisville, Illinois.
1. Wabash Cannonball Bridge
HISTORIC HAUNTED RAILROAD BRIDGE
The Wabash Cannonball Bridge, built in 1897 for the Big 4 Railroad, is one of the most interesting and fun bridges to drive across in North America. This historic structure features a swing bridge in its center that was designed to allow tall ships to navigate up and down the Wabash River. The bridge is reportedly haunted, adding a mysterious element to its historical significance.
2. St. Francisville Park
RECREATIONAL FAMILY DESTINATION
St. Francisville Park offers visitors a pleasant outdoor recreational space with playground equipment and baseball diamonds. Families can enjoy a day of sports and play in this community gathering place. The park serves as a central location for local events and outdoor activities in the small town.
3. Indiana Military Museum
EXTENSIVE MILITARY HISTORY COLLECTION
The Indiana Military Museum houses an impressive collection of military artifacts, vehicles, and memorabilia from various conflicts throughout American history. Visitors can explore both indoor exhibits and outdoor displays featuring tanks, aircraft, and other military equipment. The museum is highly rated with a 4.9 rating and offers an educational experience for history enthusiasts and families alike.
4. George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
REVOLUTIONARY WAR MEMORIAL
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park commemorates the achievements of Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark and his small army who captured British-controlled territory. The park features a grand memorial building with seven murals depicting Clark's famous expedition. Visitors can explore the memorial, learn about this important chapter in American history, and enjoy the scenic grounds along the Wabash River.
5. Old Cathedral Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
The Old Cathedral Church, officially known as the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, stands as one of the oldest Catholic churches in Indiana. The beautiful structure features impressive architecture and houses historical artifacts from early American Catholic history. Visitors can tour the church and adjacent museum to learn about the role of Catholicism in the development of the Midwest.
6. The Myrtles Plantation
AMERICA'S MOST HAUNTED HOME
The Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana is often referred to as one of America's most haunted homes, drawing paranormal enthusiasts from across the country. This antebellum plantation dating back to 1796 offers daily historical and mystery tours of the beautifully preserved main house and grounds. Visitors can also stay overnight in the plantation's bed and breakfast to fully experience the historic atmosphere and perhaps encounter one of its legendary ghosts.
7. Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
PRESERVED ANTEBELLUM ESTATE
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site showcases one of the most intact domestic plantations in the South, with 13 historic buildings and 371 acres of beautiful gardens. The main house, built in 1835, features original furnishings and provides visitors with a glimpse into the antebellum period of Louisiana history. The formal gardens, inspired by those the original owners visited in France and Italy, have been restored to their historic splendor and offer a peaceful setting for exploration.
8. Oakley Plantation
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON'S INSPIRATION
Oakley Plantation, located within the Audubon State Historic Site, is where naturalist John James Audubon painted many of his famous bird studies in the 1800s. The Federal-style house, built in 1806, is furnished in period style and offers guided tours that tell the story of plantation life and Audubon's time there. Visitors can also explore nature trails through the 100-acre site to observe local bird species that inspired Audubon's work.
9. Greenwood Plantation
ICONIC GREEK REVIVAL MANSION
Greenwood Plantation features a magnificent Greek Revival mansion that has been featured in numerous films and photography due to its iconic colonnade of 28 Doric columns. The plantation, originally built in 1830 and reconstructed after a fire in 1960, offers tours that highlight both architectural details and historical context. Visitors can stroll the oak-lined avenue and expansive grounds while learning about plantation life in the 19th century.
10. Grace Episcopal Church
HISTORIC GOTHIC CHURCH
Grace Episcopal Church, an architectural gem built in 1860, stands as one of the oldest Episcopal churches in Louisiana with its distinctive Gothic Revival style and beautiful stained glass windows. The church is famous for the story of the 'Day the War Stopped,' when fighting paused during the Civil War to allow a proper Masonic burial for a Union officer. Visitors can explore the peaceful church grounds which include a historic cemetery with graves dating back to the early 1800s.
11. St. Francisville United Methodist Church
HISTORIC WHITE CLAPBOARD CHURCH
St. Francisville United Methodist Church, with its charming white clapboard exterior and Gothic Revival stained glass windows, has a fascinating history dating back to 1803. The church building was moved to its current location at 9856 Royal Street in 1948 due to erosion on the bluff where it previously stood. Visitors are encouraged to pull the rope and ring the bells in the tower as they leave, adding a memorable interactive element to their visit.
12. Grandmother's Buttons
UNIQUE JEWELRY AND MUSEUM
Grandmother's Buttons is a distinctive boutique housed in a restored 1905 bank building where artisans create jewelry from antique buttons dating back to the 1800s. The second floor features a button museum displaying thousands of rare and beautiful buttons along with the history of button making and collecting. Visitors can shop for unique handcrafted jewelry pieces while learning about this specialized art form that preserves historical items in wearable treasures.
13. Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge
HOME TO CHAMPION CYPRESS
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge protects 36,500 acres of bottomland hardwood forest and is home to the National Champion bald cypress tree, estimated to be over 1,500 years old. The refuge offers seasonal opportunities for fishing, hunting, wildlife photography, and bird watching along the Mississippi River floodplain. Visitors can explore trails through diverse habitats that support over 200 bird species and numerous mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
14. West Feliciana Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum, located in a restored hardware store in downtown St. Francisville, showcases the rich history of this unique region through artifacts, photographs, and documents. Interactive exhibits tell the story of the area from Native American settlements through plantation era development to modern times. Visitors can also get maps and information for self-guided tours of the historic district and surrounding plantation country.
15. Afton Villa Gardens
RUINS AND FORMAL GARDENS
Afton Villa Gardens surrounds the romantic ruins of a Gothic Revival mansion destroyed by fire in 1963, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape experience. The 250 acres of formal gardens include a magnificent oak alley, terraced gardens, and a daffodil valley that bursts with color in spring. Visitors can wander through the meticulously maintained gardens that blend formal European design with the lush vegetation of the Deep South.