Marvelous Museums

Steeped in fascinating history, from enormous Native American trading camps on the banks of the Illinois to French explorers establishing a fort at Starved Rock and the very first LincolnDouglas debate, LaSalle County has been home to historic events that not only shaped Illinois, but the entire world. LaSalle County’s amazing museums archive this rich history and share it with the public, in a way that’s just as fun as it is informative!

EARLVILLE COMMUNITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 136 S. Ottawa Street • Earlville 815-246-7076 www.earlvillehistory.org Housed inside a historic 1890’s hardware store, Earlville’s free community museum shares the history of this Northern LaSalle County town through a fascinating collection of artifacts.

LOCK 16 VISITOR CENTER 754 First Street • LaSalle 815-220-1848 www.iandmcanal.org The Lock 16 Visitor Center offers more than just a delicious café and great gift shop, it also houses a massive wrap-around interpretive mural that tells the storied history of the I&M canal.

I&M CANAL BOAT 754 First Street • LaSalle 815-220-1848 www.iandmcanal.org Hop aboard a replica 19thcentury mule-towed canal boat and take a leisurely ride along a mile and half of restored canal, learning the importance I&M played in the development of Illinois.

HUME-CARNEGIE MUSEUM 901 Washington St. • Mendota 815-539-3373 www.mendotamuseums.org Witness a collection of over 500 photos depicting 100

MJ Hogan Grain Elevator The Westclox Museum

fascinating years of Mendota history. You’ll also find an extensive collection of Wild Bill Hickok memorabilia.

UNION DEPOT RAILROAD MUSEUM 783 Main Street • Mendota 815-538-3800 www.mendotamuseums.org Explore everything railroad related at Mendota’s own Union Depot museum. See miniature railroads depicting locomotive history and walk inside a real vintage train car. BREAKING THE PRAIRIE FARM MUSEUM 684 8th Street • Mendota 815-539-3373 mendotamuseums.org This unique agricultural museum is open for viewing 24/7, through a series of glass windows that allow you to take a look at the historic farm implements that “broke the prairie”. Interior tours can be arranged by calling the number listed above.

NORSK MUSEUM 3656 E. 2631st St. • Sheridan 815-343-5070 norskmuseum.org This delightful museum is dedicated to Scandinavian culture, and is filled with

artifacts from the Norwegian immigrants that settled the region back in the 1800’s.

STARVED ROCK STATE PARK VISITORS CENTER 2678 E. 873rd Road Oglesby 815-667-4726 dnr.illinois.gov Starved Rock’s cutting edge visitors center helps guests learn about the park’s storied past, fascinating wildlife and ecology through the use of interactive displays and interpretive dioramas.

M.J. HOGAN GRAIN ELEVATOR 124 West Williams • Seneca 815-357-6197 senecahistory.com This 1861 grain elevator is one of the last of its kind. This 65+ foot tall, 70,000 bushel elevator can be toured during special events, or call the number above to arrange a tour.

SENECA AREA HERITAGE MUSEUM 431 N. Main Street • Seneca 815-769-5077 senecahistory.com Seneca fascinating history is explained through a wonderfully curated collection of artifacts inside a vintage train depot! The museum even includes information on Seneca’s famed shipyard that produced 157 LSTs for WWII.

I&M CANAL TOLLHOUSE 1221 Columbus St. • Ottawa 815-434-2737 pickusottawail.com The only surviving I&M tollhouse, this one room museum shows guests what the life of an 1850’s locktender was like, through a collection of artifacts, dioramas and historical documents.

OTTAWA HERITAGE AND SCOUTING MUSEUM 1100 Canal Street • Ottawa 815-431-9353 Dedicated to preserving the history of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Scouts, this museum also has displays on the Lincoln Douglas Debates, and scouts founder/Ottawa resident W. D. Boyce.

ILLINOIS WATERWAY VISITOR CENTER 950 N. 27th Road • Ottawa 815-667-4054 See the operation of a real lock and dam up close, and learn about the Illinois Waterway’s significance as a part of the nation’s water highway system.

LASALLE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

LASALLE COUNTY GENEALOGICAL GUILD 115 West Glover Street Ottawa 815-433-5261

Search a vast archive of historical records to learn more about your ancestors’ connection to LaSalle County.

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK Ottawa pickusottawail.com Visit the historic site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate, as honored by a large reflecting pool and beautiful bronze statues.

WESTCLOX MUSEUM 350 5th Street, Suite 265 Peru 815-250-0617 westcloxmuseum.com

Peru’s famed Westclox factory, makers for the beloved cultfavorite clock, are honored in this fascinating museum. Through a vast collection of documents, artifacts and antiques, the Westclox Museum tells the story of the community that made these remarkable clocks.

I&M Canal

STREATORLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 306 Vermillion Street Streator 815-672-2443 streatorlandmuseum.com

Celebrate historic Streator at this riveting museum, filled with thousands of artifacts, pictures, and records dedicated to telling the story of this community. You’ll also find a real Burlington Northern caboose on the museum property.

LASALLE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 101 East Canal Street • Utica 815-667-4861

The LaSalle County Historical Society campus, located on the banks of the historic I&M Canal features five buildings and interpretive sites that, together, weave the fascinating story of LaSalle County.

Scouting Heritage Museum

TAG & BRAG ABOUT YOUR ADVENTURE IN LASALLE COUNTY