Northwest Illinois Directory
Historical Site in Whiteside County
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Albany Mounds State Historic SiteAlbany Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Albany, Illinois consists of 205 acres of tree covered hills, valleys and surrounding prairie which is ideal for a walk, bike ride or just sitting and observing the wildlife from deer to eagles that call the park home.
The Indian Mounds is now an Illinois State Historic Site. Laying neglected for hundreds of years it is now a natural park open for the public. The Albany Indian Mounds Foundation sees the site as an interpretive center for the history of the Hopewellian culture of more than 2000 years ago.
Located at the south end of the village, there is a parking lot at the entrance, at the southwest end of Cherry Street. Nearby is a covered picnic shelter with tables and electricity outlets, water fountain, rest rooms and interpretive signs. The parking lot is also the north entrance of the asphalt-covered Great River Recreation Trail. Here the trail runs for nearly a mile to the south to Bunker Hill and Meredosia roads. Across Meredosia Road to the south is another 15 acres that once was a village site owned by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The Natives who lived here as early as 500 BC were part of the Hopewell culture, so named because their existence was first learned of on the Hopewell farm in Ohio, where similar mounds had been built. It is not known what the people called themselves or what language they spoke. It is believed that their culture declined sometime around 350 A.D.
The site was well-suited to the Hopewell culture, which was not an Indian tribe but rather a term referring to the period in American Indian prehistory marked by trade, communication, and the sharing of ideas throughout a huge area of the continent. They preferred to build their villages at the base of bluffs along the floodplains of major rivers, such as the Mississippi, that offered transportation. At Albany, with the adjacent Meredosia Slough, which served as flood drainage for the Mississippi and Rock rivers, there was an abundant source of food and water. The waters, forests, and prairie provided food and fuel for the Hopewell.
Open dawn until dusk.
The site also includes a parking lot, picnic shelter, walking trails, and interpretive signs along a bike trail. The Friends of the Albany Indian Mounds Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the site.
Accessibility Information
The following are available for the visitor to the site:
The parking lot is blacktop. There are no spaces marked accessible.
There are no sidewalks or ramps.
There are no buildings or an office at this site.
There are no water fountains at this site, but there is a pit toilet, which isn't marked accessible.
The site has a one-mile blacktop bike trail.
Asa Crook HomeHistoric home built in 1839 by Prophetstown’s first settler, Asa Crook Sr. Served as inn, church, school, and post office. Restored and preserved by the Prophetstown Area Historical Society. Near the Rock River on Asa Crook’s original land.
De Immigrant Dutch WindmillFulton’s Dutch heritage is honored with De Immigrant, an authentic working windmill manufactured in the Netherlands and assembled by Dutch craftsmen in Fulton. Standing nearly 100 feet tall, the windmill is fully operational and can grind a variety of flours, including buckwheat, corn, rye, and wheat. Windmill flour is sold at the Windmill Cultural Center and Fulton Meat Market. The windmill is partially handicap accessible, with free entrance (donations appreciated).
HOURS
May and October (weekends only): Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM.
June through September: Tuesday through Friday 10 AM to 2 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM.
Closed November through April.
Dillon Home MuseumThe 1858 Dillon Home Museum offers a glimpse into Sterling’s past through the beautifully preserved Victorian home of Ambrose and Julia Dillon. Built in the late 19th century, the home reflects the craftsmanship, furnishings, and everyday life of a prominent local family, bringing regional history to life room by room.
Visitors explore the home through guided tours led by knowledgeable docents who share stories about the Dillon family, the home’s architecture, and its role in the community. Original details, period décor, and thoughtfully maintained spaces make each tour both informative and engaging.
Guided tours are offered every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Additional tours are available by appointment only from 3–5 p.m. The museum is also open the second weekend of each month, with guided tours on Saturday and Sunday at the same times. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about Sterling’s heritage, the Dillon Home Museum provides a meaningful and memorable stop.
Admission
General Admission: $7
Seniors (60+): $6
Eclipse Square Memorial ParkEclipse Square Veterans Memorial Park honors veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs in downtown Prophetstown. Named for the Eclipse lawnmower once manufactured in the community, the park includes commemorative monuments, green space and a picnic pavilion.
Historic Lyndon BridgeCompleted in 1894, the Historic Lyndon Bridge is a pedestrian-only Parker Pratt through-truss bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk across for quiet Rock River views and photo opportunities, then pause at the nearby park’s shelter, swing, bench, and grill.
Martin House MuseumThe Martin House Museum is Fulton’s local-history museum and the headquarters of the Fulton Historical Society. The 1855 brick Italianate home, later expanded with Queen Anne and Arts and Crafts details, preserves Fulton memorabilia, genealogy resources, plat books, historic newspapers, and community stories. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the accessible museum is open Sunday afternoons or by appointment, and offers a guide to Fulton’s historic district.
Midway Drive-In TheaterLandmark drive-in theater between Dixon and Sterling featuring double features of first-run and classic films, community events, and a vintage diner. State-of-the-art digital projection and sound. One of only 20 remaining drive-in theaters in Illinois. Open seasonally from April to September and hosts special events in October. Parking for 500 cars, giant 90-foot screen, and FM stereo sound on 91.3 FM. Home to Illinois' oldest standing drive-in screen. Full-service Midway Diner with a classic 1950s vibe. No outside food allowed, but a food permit can be purchased.
Morrison Lincoln Highway MuralThe Morrison Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural at 208 E. Main Street depicts visitors arriving at the 1921 Whiteside County Fair after the newly paved Lincoln Highway made regional travel easier. Installed as part of the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition’s interpretive mural series, the hand-painted work connects Morrison’s fair heritage with the nation’s first transcontinental highway and forms part of the scenic byway’s public-art trail across Illinois.
Morrison Veteran’s Park & MemorialMorrison Veteran’s Park & Memorial on East High Street offers a quiet place to honor area veterans. The memorial includes a Howitzer field-artillery piece, tablets naming deceased Morrison-area veterans with service and burial information, personalized brick pavers, and granite benches for reflection. The American, POW/MIA, and Illinois flags fly above the site. Contact the City of Morrison for information about purchasing a memorial brick.
Prophetstown Civil War MonumentLocated on the east bank of the Rock River at Riverside Cemetery. Commemorates four battles: Shiloh, Gettysburg, Kennesaw, and Resaca. Features a lone Civil War soldier.
Sterling Lincoln Highway Interpretive MuralLincoln Highway mural at 424 Locust Street composed as five vintage radio-program advertisements; part of Sterling's downtown mural collection and its self-guided public-art tour.
Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society Carriage House MuseumLocal-history museum tracing Sterling and Rock Falls from prehistoric times through the modern industrial era with permanent and rotating exhibits; summer public hours and separate appointment access are posted by the Historical Society.
Tampico Area Historical Society MuseumLocal-history museum and research center with Tampico-area family-history resources, photographs, railroad artifacts, community collections, and Ronald Reagan memorabilia. Check the Society for current public hours or research appointments.- Tri-Township Heritage MuseumAlbany museum preserving photographs, documents, books, artifacts, and memorabilia from Albany, Garden Plain, and Newton townships, with special exhibits and a Memorial Day open house. Seasonal hours are Friday through Sunday, 1–4 p.m., from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Wierenga’s Heritage CanyonTucked into a wooded hillside near the Mississippi River, Wierenga’s Heritage Canyon offers a one-of-a-kind blend of nature, history, and quiet exploration. This 12-acre site began as a limestone quarry before being thoughtfully transformed into a recreated 1800s village—where winding trails lead visitors from one historic structure to the next.
Founded in 1967 by Harold and Thelma Wierenga, the canyon was built with a mission to preserve Midwestern heritage while respecting the natural landscape. Today, guests can stroll along self-guided paths that connect a collection of authentically styled buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, church, blacksmith shop, doctor’s office, log cabins, and more—each offering a glimpse into daily life from another era.
The experience is part outdoor adventure, part living history. Rustic bridges, shaded trails, and interpretive stops create a relaxed pace, making it easy to explore at your own speed. During select events throughout the year, the site comes to life even more with demonstrations, costumed interpreters, and seasonal festivals that highlight traditional crafts and pioneer skills.
Open seasonally from spring through fall, Heritage Canyon welcomes visitors for free (donations appreciated) and offers a peaceful, educational outing for all ages. Whether you’re wandering through the trees, stepping inside historic buildings, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the canyon, it’s a place where the past feels surprisingly close—and easy to connect with.