If you like covered bridges you'll love the Cumberland County Covered Bridge…read more Built in 1832 it stood strong until 1865 when the original bridge was washed out by a storm. It was then reconstructed in 1875 only to be washed out yet again in 1912. In 1920, the bridge was replaced once more and held out until 1996, when it was wiped out yet again. In 2000, the Cumberland County Covered Bridge, as it is now known today, was built to replicate the original version from 1832.

Come to Casey and see the World's Largest Things. They're all over town and it's only a couple of…read moremiles off I-70 as you're passing between Terre Haute and Saint Louis. On the the big ones in the downtown core is this, the World's Largest Wind Chime. It is accessed through the patio area of what looks like a cute restaurant, Whitling Whimsy Cafe, which was closed on Sunday when I was here. In fact, most of the town was closed on Sunday. Still, the Things are accessible. The Wind Chime is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records and are 49 feet tall with the largest chime being 42 feet long. There is a center rope pull so that you can make the chimes sound if it's not a windy day. I like that this one is interactive. [Review 19676 overall - 131 in Illinois - 648 of 2023.]

The World's Largest Wind Chime is located right in the heart of downtown CAsey, IL, (a quaint…read morelittle town with a population of 3,000). The Wind Chime, Rocking Chair and tetter totter are all located right outside or across the street from the Whitling Whimsy Cafe. This is one of a dozen "things" offically recognized as the World's Largest: World's Largest Wind Chime World's Largest Golf Tee World's Largest Pitchfork World's Largest Rocking Chair World's Largest Wooden Shoes World's Largest Mailbox World's Largest Gavel World's Largest Truck Key World's Largest Barbershop Pole World's Largest Teeter Totter World's Largest Golf Driver World's Largest Swizzle Spoon Well worth a detour off of I-70.

It was only a matter of time. The Mug Tree was an old tree. Mugs were placed with it and that…read morebrought it alive again in our hearts. Many, many mugs. Travelers along the highway admired that old tree, adorned with mugs. It offered a silent respite in our daily lives. It offered hope, that no matter what pains we carried, there was the Mug Tree. The Mug Tree, which was created out of the generosity of hundreds of people, most likely strangers to each other, but friends with a common goal of taking an old, dead tree along a country highway and giving it purpose, once more. The Mug Tree. A local landmark, never to be recognized as a national monument. Unlike the more famous curiosities just a few miles north in Casey, this oddity stood outside of the door to fame. Yet, to those of us who passed by, it stood for years alongside that country highway, day and night. Like an old trusted friend. So, to those who read these words and never knew the Mug Tree, I am sorry for your loss. And to those thousands of travelers that passed by and noticed, if you grieve, you grieve not alone. Dear Mug Tree: So long, my friend. Thanks for all the smiles you brought to our hearts.

So... It was fun to see this tree in passing on the way to Effingham but I felt like the house on…read moretop could've been utilized for birds or something.

Highly recommend taking a trip out to the small unique town. There's plenty very large things check…read moreout like a giant mail box or a rocking chair. Some solid restaurants are available as well but they do seem to close early. People are friendly and more than willing to take a photo of you standing in front of a giant taco.

Big fun! - - - - - -…read more- - September, 2024 Visit We learned of Casey, IL, several years ago in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article sharing how Casey is home to many of the world's largest items; at the time of the article, the total was 8 items; the total is now up to 12 of the world's largest items. This year we visited for a third time and it gets better each trip! Casey is pronounced Kay-zee, and Jim Bolin grew up there and is the person responsible for starting the world's largest items; the wind chimes were first, then the golf tee, and now several items. This visit we saw: 1. World's Largest Teeter Totter 2. World's Largest Wind Chime (first item) - we rang it 3. World's Largest Barber Shop Pole 4. World's Largest Mailbox 5. World's Largest Rocking Chair We also saw some big things that are not the world's largest: 1. Ruler 2. Pencil 3. Knitting Needles 4. Nails Twisted Around Each Other Puzzle 5. Antlers At the world's largest mailbox, we were happy to see that the ice cream shop was still open, and we all enjoyed two scoops: - Salted Caramel and Superman - Salted Caramel and Mint chocolate Chip - Salted Caramel, 2 - Zanzibar Dark Chocolate and Strawberry Very good! We saw the poem "God Made a Farmer" and listened to the Paul Harvey rendition of that important poem, on YouTube as we drove through town. Thank you to the Bolin family and all at Casey's Big Things in a Small Town Workshop who make these wonderful things for us all; the entire town makes you smile, and the world needs more smiles! ----- ----- -----

This museum has been open for many years now, and sadly not many people know that this even exists!…read moreOf course, if you're into deep local history...then this is for you. History as in the National Historic Road. The road that was envisioned by our Founding Fathers (mainly George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) as a way from settlers to move from the East to the West...or at least the Midwest, in this case. The road, originally known as the Cumberland Road, started in Cumberland, Maryland, and ended right in Vandalia, Illinois. There has been a lot of debate over historical accuracy, based on the road actually ending in East St. Louis. The museum is open every day except Sunday, during the daytime. There is an attendant usually present. Museum is kind of small, with a couple rooms to go in (such as a theater), but you get a lot of cool information while you're there. You can also chat with the attendant on duty and they'll give you plenty of travel information. It goes without saying, if you're into the history of America's National Road, this is definitely for you. Kind of like how several people are into Route 66, but not really. It's a must-stop when you are traveling on the road.

Still in Parke County but outside Rockville, this is another Joseph A. Britton covered bridge that…read morehe completed in 1913. It is a single-span Burr Arch structure. This is originally the site of two other bridges that had been washed away before this one, the State Sanatorium Covered Bridge, was moved to here. It is open to traffic But I opted to take the bypass with the Sprinter van. The road to the east is hard packed dirt and not a great run. Total length of 170 feed with a clearance of 12.5 feet, it would have been fine for my heavy van but I thought, let's not today. [Review 1297 of 2024 - 174 in Indiana - 22320 overall]

This Single Span Burr Arch Truss originally crossed Little Raccoon Creek on State Sanatorium…read moreproperty, about a mile downstream from its current location. It was moved in 2008 to carry County Road 100N across Little Raccoon Creek. #1 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the bridge was built by J.A. Britton in 1913-- one of the twelve covered bridges that he constructed in the county.

Out in Rural Illinois, I came upon this lovely looking home and while it was all locked up, it was…read morestill super interesting and thankfully, they have brochures in the front that provide some interesting details about the history of Charles M. Wright (the First, Second and Third) and their home. The first Dr. Wright collected architectural journals and suppliers' catalogs that he used in planning his 18-room home. The 6,000 square foot home has 7 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It was the first home in Altamont with indoor plumbing. If you're passing through, stop in. I'm hoping that in the ten years since Deb's review, they now allow non-flash photography. [Review 1281 of 2024 - 208 in Illinois - 22304 overall]

The tour is lackluster. The best thing about Wright Mansion is the period details but there are no…read morephotos allowed. Period. There's no book of photos to buy. Many museums don't allow flash photos and want that the sound settings on the cameras to be set to silent but that makes sense. We won't visit again and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

THE BIG ANTLERS The Antlers are the only big item in Casey…read morethat was not constructed locally. ALL ACCESS Staging & Productions donated the antlers. They said they wanted to support Casey and the Big Things, where art strengthens community and community inspires art.

a hunters dream to see a rack that large... it's the quirky things that make us stop and take a…read morelook. Not everyday you can say you touched or stood by some large Antlers if you're a hunting family it's a great photo op for the Christmas cards

The World's Largest Wooden Shoes are found in a candy shop in the quaint little town (population…read more3,000) of Casey, IL. This is one of a dozen "things" offically recognized as the World's Largest: World's Largest Wind Chime World's Largest Golf Tee World's Largest Pitchfork World's Largest Rocking Chair World's Largest Wooden Shoes World's Largest Mailbox World's Largest Gavel World's Largest Truck Key World's Largest Barbershop Pole World's Largest Teeter Totter World's Largest Golf Driver World's Largest Swizzle Spoon Well worth a detour off of I-70.

The Wooden Shoes are housed in a historic downtown building that dates back to the late 1800s. Once…read morelocated along the Doty Railroad, the building is now home to Wildflour Bakery and Candy Company. The Wooden Shoes gained the World's Largest title on October 20, 2015. Each Shoe weighs approximately 2500 pounds. To give an example of the size of the clogs, as part of a photoshoot, 15 people were able to stand inside one shoe. ​Coins thrown into the Shoes are donated to the Big Things Small Town Funds to continue to promote Casey and keep tourist areas looking beautiful.