Historic sites in Illinois

Historic Heritage Sites

This collection spans the historical landscape of Illinois and the Mississippi River region, featuring sites from pre-Columbian Mississippian mounds to 20th-century architectural icons. Explore the legacy of Abraham Lincoln through his Springfield law offices and presidential museum, or visit the preserved homes of Ulysses S. Grant and David Davis. The selection highlights Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School designs, the frontier history of Apple River Fort, and landmark institutions like the Adler Planetarium and the International Museum of Surgical Science.

Historic Heritage Sites — Map

Bev Sykes from Davis, CA, USA / CC BY 2.0

A

Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot-tall monument in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

Raymon Sutedjo-The / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, is a landmark theater located on North State Street in the…

Agriculture / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum documents the life of the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln, and the course of the…

Ben Stanfield / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

Old State Capitol

The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, in Springfield, Illinois, is the fifth capitol building built for the U.S. state of Illinois.

Jesster79 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

General Grants Home

The Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena, Illinois is the former home of Ulysses S.

James G. Hollis and George J. Krassas / Public domain

F

Dana Thomas House

The Dana–Thomas House is a home in Prairie School style designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Heironymous Rowe / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site

The Kincaid Mounds Historic Site c. 1050–1400 CE, is a Mississippian culture archaeological site located at the southern tip of present-day…

Illinois State Historical Library / Public domain

H

David Davis Mansion

The David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was the residence of David Davis,…

IvoShandor / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Apple River Fort State Historic Site

Apple River Fort, today known as the Apple River Fort State Historic Site, was one of many frontier forts hastily completed by settlers in…

Zol87 / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Lincoln Herndon Law Office

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site is a historic brick building built in 1841 in the U.S. state of Illinois.

Smallbones / Public domain

K

George M. Verity

George M. Verity is a historic towboat now displayed as a museum ship in Keokuk, Iowa.

Tiffany Taylor / CC-BY-SA-3.0

L

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is an 86-acre history park located eight miles south of Charleston, Illinois, U.S., near the town…

Josef Strachovský / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium is a public museum in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics.

Ciphers / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

International Museum of Surgical Science

The International Museum of Surgical Science is a museum located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

Kara11584 / CC BY-SA 3.0

O

City Museum

City Museum is a museum whose exhibits consist largely of repurposed architectural and industrial objects, housed in the former…

Other Lists

Illinois Essentials Historic Churches & Temples Parks and Recreation Scenic Lookouts and Towers Water Parks & Scenic Lakes