Mount Vernon, IL Road Trips

Abraham Lincoln used to argue cases here at times in his younger attorney days, as Mount Vernon featured as the Illinois state district court. Later, it was a rail car and locomotive production hub.

Mitchell Museum and Cedarhurst Arts Center, 2600 E Richview Rd, local nostalgia evoking southern Illinois life and foofoo stuff. +1 618-268-7400. Free. Jefferson County Historical Village, 1411 N 27th St. A recreated living history pioneer museum. +1 618-246-0033 1 The Goshen road. This was the original trail of westward expansion to cross Ohio and Mississippi. Goshen Road started as a natural, or pioneer, trace: a route that was used by Native Americans and migrating animals. The Goshen Road was an important route for early settlers in Illinois in the early 1800s. It extended over one hundred fifty miles from Old Shawneetown on the Ohio River to near Edwardsville, Illinois near the Mississippi. Shawneetown was the site of natural salt springs, where native Americans trekked to get the salt they needed. Later, the pioneers turned the springs into a profitable business operation where the water was boiled off to capture the salt. Nearby Equality was the site of the “Old Slave House” where slaves were used in the business. Though Illinois was a free state at the time, there was a special provision to allow slaves in that location. Salt was used as a condiment, but more importantly was used as a preservative in the days before refrigeration. Tons were needed for that purpose.It is generally accepted that this began as a native American trail, winding through woods and prairie and crossing the many streams along the way. There is evidence of trade being carried on along the track in the 1700s and before.

Americas Best Value Inn Mount Vernon, 222 S 44th St. Free light breakfast. +1 618-244-4343. $61 (Jul 2023).