Historic Town Square & Downtown Carbondale

Twenty-five historic buildings ring Carbondale's nostalgic Town Square. When Daniel Harmon Brush, Carbondale's founding father, filed the original 56-acre plat of Carbondale in 1852, almost 10 acres were left open in the center of town. Today you can shop charming locally owned boutiques here, ranging from bike shops to furniture stores.

CITY: Carbondale

The African American Museum of Southern Illinois

Permanent exhibits here include African art collections and slave artifacts. Rotating displays have included Underground Railroad message quilts and local artwork. The museum's changing exhibits seek to portray the outstanding achievements of African American citizens.

CITY: Carbondale

Saline Creek Pioneer Village

This fascinating pioneer village includes the original Saline County Pauper Farm (now a three-story museum), an old jail, an 1859 one-room schoolhouse, the Cain Church, several 1800s log cabins, a barn and country store.

CITY: Harrisburg

Doughboy Statue

The Doughboy statue was commissioned to honor the men who served in WWI, and is one of 90 that exists in the United States.

CITY: Herrin

The University Museum

The Museum has a collection of over 52,000 objects. It houses an art collection and a collection of prehistoric, historic, and scientific objects. One of the permanent and very popular exhibits is the "W.P.A. Pioneer Dioramas", which were created by local craftsmen employed at the Museum during the Works Progress Administration, 1938-1942. It has six galleries, an archive, Museum Gift Shop, and a 100-seat auditorium.

CITY: Carbondale

Franklin County Jail Museum

This restored 1905 jail museum features displays on General John A. Logan, the Beatles' George Harrison, actor John Malkovich and basketball star Doug Collins.

CITY: Benton

Frankfort Area Historical Museum

The former two-story brick Logan School is now a museum featuring area mining history, memorabilia from 1802-1976, a genealogy library, and the Red Geranium Tea Room that serves homemade lunch.

CITY: West Frankfort

Franklin County Garage and Auto Museum

This old 1910 Ford garage has been restored to its original condition and now displays vintage cars, Beatles and Charlie Binger memorabilia, and has a gift shop.

CITY: Benton

Southern Illinois Treasure Trail

Go on a treasure hunt and explore a variety of antique shops that make up the Southern Illinois Treasure Trail. Stores ranging from antique malls to small shops are located in Pinckneyville, DuQuoin, Campbell Hill, Oraville, Murphysboro, Makanda and Carbondale.

CITY: Carbondale

Depot Veteran's Museum

This restored railroad depot houses memorabilia from all wars. Outside is a Southern Illinois Miners Memorial dedicated to coal miners of the region.

CITY: West Frankfort

General John A Logan Museum

General John A Logan (1826-1886) is the most significant nineteenth century native Illinoisian. Creator of Memorial Day, he's named in the state song with Lincoln and Grant. The General John A Logan Museum's mission is designed to interpret the the turbulent life and times of Logan.

CITY: Murphysboro

Jackson County Historical Center

The museum has expanded, adding about 1,000 square feet to its headquarters building for more exhibit area. Included in its displays is a pump organ, a collection of early cameras, a display of Daniel Grocery Store items, and many textile items, military uniforms, 1850-era Chandler Printer Press and county courthouse records containing hundreds of files available for genealogy study.The museum also has an exhibit of women's vintage clothing ranging from 1865-1970s and continues to add exhibits.

CITY: Murphysboro

Williamson County Historical Museum

Located in an historic brick building in Marion, the museum features artifacts, antiques, and records of a bygone era. 17 rooms contain exhibits, including an old-fashioned school room. Tours may be arranged through the Marion Chamber of Commerce.

CITY: Marion

John A. Logan College

Named after Civil War General John A. Logan, the college combines modern architecture and a beautiful park-like setting. Memorabilia of General Logan and his wife, Mary, are on display in the museum and art gallery at the college.

CITY: Carterville

Harvey Pitts Waterfowl Museum

This privately owned museum features displays of more than 425 antique wooden duck decoys and over 100 species of waterfowl.

CITY: Du Quoin

West Walnut Street Historic District

Registered as a National Historic District in May 1975. 54 historic residences are located here. Some homes date to early 1850's, most are early 20th-Century. Homes are private residences and are not open to the public.

CITY: Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Animal Science & Nutritional Department

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers guided field trips of its farms, conducted by student agri-ambassadors.

CITY: Carbondale

Marion Carnegie Library

One of the few remaining Carnegie buildings is seated at the center of Williamson County. Originally built in 1916 and renovated in 1997, the library has the flavor of the early 20th century with the technology of today.

CITY: Marion

Carbondale Train Museum

Built in 1903 by the Illinois Central Railroad, the Old Railroad Passenger Depot has since been restored and now serves as home to the Carbondale Train Museum. Filled with information, artifacts and souveniers, the museum contains significant facts relating to Carbondale's history. Ring the bell of an original train car from the Illinois Central Railroad, which still sits on the track!

CITY: Carbondale

Goddard Chapel

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this chapel was built in 1918 with a donation from former Marion mayor Leroy Goddard.

CITY: Marion

Herrin City Library

This local library features the Herrin History Room.

CITY: Herrin

The Varsity Center for the Arts

What started as a single-screen movie house in 1940 has become a power house for live music and community theater. This gorgeous theater is one of the greatest components to Carbondale's thriving art & culture scene, as it serves as home to the Jackson County Stage Company, which presents several plays during the year, and hosts the weekly Friday Night Film series. The Varsity serves as a venue for live entertainment during the Carbondale Rocks Revival, an annual city-wide music festival in addition to accommodating local and regional musicians during the year to bring the city exceptional entertainment.

CITY: Carbondale