My friend and I had an errand out in this area and decided to see what else there was to see while…read morewe were here. This museum (the home of the Hegeler and Carus families, who were involved in a local zinc company and also a publishing house, Open Court Press) is a national historic landmark and is unique because it was owned by the same family the whole time, & they never made any fundamental updates to the house so it's largely as it was when designed by WW Boyington (who also designed Chicago's Water Tower and the old Joliet prison) in the 1870s. Several rooms have been restored, but you can see in areas where it hasn't where time is taking its toll (for example, the main hall was painted with egg tempera paint, and that organic element [the egg] is now degrading after 150 years). Still, the parquet floors are amazing, and details like pocket doors, carved wooden decorations and historical elements like the speaker tube system in the walls for speaking through the house are unusual! The house also contains the only German-style turnhalle (gymnasium) in a historic home in the US. Other interesting details include an ornate butsudan (buddhist cabinet shrine) due to Hegeler's interest in Eastern religions. We just took the general tour ($15), but you can do half house (upper or lower half for $50 each) or whole house tours ($100). The longest one is apparently 3.5 hours with two breaks and children are discouraged since it is long. You must register for the tours as they max out at 6 people. Despite it saying "masks are required" and our temperatures taken at the door, our guide was initially trying to take his mask off to talk and the other couple on the tour followed suit. When my friend and I left ours on, they all put them back on at some point. The rooms do have 6 foot markers on the floors, but since some of the rooms aren't big, if you had a full tour group this would be an issue. There is an elevator so the Mansion is handicap accessible. Overall, this seems to be one of the bigger attractions in LaSalle, so take a tour if you're in town.

This mansion is beautiful and a amazing historic site to see!! The house tour is incredible! I…read morehighly recommend going here and learning about this incredible family!

I really enjoyed this stop in my trip down Route 66. When I showed ip with my Pops the place was…read moreclosed so we took some time walking around and snapping a few photos when a vehicle suddenly pulled up behind mine. Ton jumped out and introduced himself as the owner - asked our names, where we were from, gave us a bunch of history on the place and the area, all before we even went inside! Inside was something else! It's very Coca-Cola focused but it's quite a site to behold. Frankly my favorite part of the stop was getting a chance to chat with Tom and feel hos excitement and energy around the Route and its history. He provided us with some Route books that came in super helpful and gave us tips for the trip. Wonderful stop.

Very cool place I walked too after visiting the two cell jail. It's a great route 66 attraction as…read morewell as a Coke Collectors dream that I'm sure they'll drive hundreds of miles to visit. You can go inside to my knowledge which we were unable to do but it's definitely an awe inspiring building

I learned so much today! The mansion history was very interesting and the history about Ottawa was…read morefascinating too. The tour was ten dollars and was well worth it. I was told Christmas is a really great time to visit. I didn't even know about this mansion until a few days ago. I searched for other things around Starved Rock and foind the mansion. It was the best part of the day.

Beautiful turn of the century home. The docent was very knowledgeable (maybe a bit too…read moreknowledgeable). She shared the history of the home, it's pervious uses and work being done to restore it to the time of the Reddick family's occupancy. We stopped as an activity during a road trip but had to leave a before the end of the tour to get back on the road. The home had beautiful plaster detail, original wood work, windows, doors, and fireplaces. Definitely worth visiting to appreciate the architecture of days gone by.

It's quirky, creative, a bit creepy, and oddly moving. Worth a detour through scenic backroads…read more A visit to nearby Norway, Illinois is also worth your while. Never seem to get there in-season to see the museum, but the general store does sell some lovely Scandahoovian kitsch, and about the widest selection of locally sourced preserves as I've seen.

The Agricultural Crash Monument is a hysterical historical site!…read more You'll find it along Route 71 a few miles south of the village of Norway, IL. It's a local monument that dramatically illustrates the fatal crash of American agriculture in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Be prepared! When you're zipping along Rte 71 and come upon the monument, your first thought will be, "QUICK! CALL 9-1-1!"

This is a great place to remember those who served in the Armed Forces and especially for those who…read morepassed away in the Middle East since 1979. They note that not everyone who was lost to the Middle East wars are on this mural, but many who have died are here. You can also etch their name on paper and take it home with you. There's a peaceful river right here and eagles and birds. There's plenty of Free Parking and there's also a city hall of Marseille building. People have left soldier boots and artificial flowers, and there is a QR code that sends you to this link of all the names and the story of how there was a protest by those on a motorcycle in process of the war in the Middle East in Chicago where 15,000 people gathered. Thank you for having this memorial wall and thank you to all of those who served. https://www.middleeastconflictswallmemorial.org/

Moving memorial for the fallen men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Being the mother of…read moretwo active military sons, I am emotional when I visit war memorials, I see sons and daughters and I can't help but shed tears. This memorial is off the main road through town, but along the river it is peaceful and a striking contrast to the life going on around it. Beautiful granite walls bear the names of the fallen. Etching paper is available, marked by a helmet and boots. The history is borrowed from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs: On June 19th, 2004 a Granite Memorial Wall was dedicated commemorating the servicemen and women who have lost their lives in worldwide conflicts since 1979. The project was conceived by Tony Cutrano and Jerry Kuczera, built with donated material and labor and is the first of its kind in the History of the United States to give honor to our fallen by name while a conflict is ongoing. It took 20 years to Honor our Vietnam Veterans. Almost 60 years to Honor our World War II Veterans. The names on the wall represent our fallen heroes from such diverse locations as Panama, Lebanon, the Balkans, Grenada, Somalia, Haiti, USS Cole, USS Stark, Terrorist attacks in Italy, Greece, Scotland, and the current conflicts in the Middle East.

We came here for breakfast with the kids. Enjoyed their selection, tot breakfast casserole, French…read moretoast, biscuits and gravy. Yum

Surprising and unexpected gem! Food was awesome, and staff were super friendly. Very reasonable…read morepricing! Will be back, highly recommend!

Huge property well kept historical landmark buildings. Barn type hall great for large receptions…read more Wonderful place to get married!

From the owner: The Kendall County Historical Society was chartered in 1970 to preserve the history of Kendall…read moreCounty and to provide historical education for the county's residents. The Kendall County Historical Society has no paid staff, nor does it depend on support from any governmental agency. Operating income is derived from memberships, regular and memorial donations, events held at the Lyon Farm, fees for providing research material, the sale of books and other miscellaneous items. The everyday business of the organization is handled entirely by volunteers. Kendall County is located in the north central part of Illinois and was established in 1841. The Lyon Farm is the home of, and also the pride and joy of the Kendall County Historical Society. In 1974, Mrs. Frances Lyon donated 39 acres of her farm to serve as a home for the society and its artifacts. A large bequest by Mrs. Mae Dunbar along with the support and contributions of the many members and friends of the society have made it possible to restore many of the old farm buildings to their original outward appearance, and to establish display areas within. There are several buildings of historical interest that have been moved to the farm, and are displayed on turn of the century Dunbar Lane.

Advertised pallbearers, flowers to put on casket before burial, taps, gun salute, service. Arrived…read more35 mins before meeting time they already gone & service almost over without son & other family. Directed to permanent tent for services, no graveside burial or site seen, nothing as advertized. Someone read couple bible readings. Told that other groups waiting, to leave fast & come back (over 2 hours away) in couple weeks & should be buried. Body & flowers went where? Hideous experience. Tempted to retrieve & go elsewhere. Could not get real answers before choosing.

I found this on the old Route 66 mini road trip and I had no idea that this was even on my drive…read moreafter looking and planning my road trip so I had to stop. The ALNC is almost a 1000 acres with nice uniform tomb stones from any angle that is so cool and perfect with all the contours of the small hills and dips of the land. I stopped by on a Sunday and although the property was open for visitors the building were closed but it was still a cool place to visit. ALNC is a national cemetery available to all armed service members and family depending on eligibility and requirements and for the full experience you have to go Monday to Friday 8 to 4:30 except on federal holidays.

Sad this place is being closed due to financial problems. Hope animals are rehomed successfully.read more

Riegal Farm is a little known gem. Quaint location with a WIDE variety of animals for kids and…read moreadults to enjoy. We spent years without realizing this place was here for neighbors to visit and the community to rely upon. What a great group!