Other Attractions
Other Attractions To Visit:
Every area has the best known attractions to visit. Here in Saline county there are so many beautiful places to visit you won’t want to miss them. If you are in the area be sure to check out these amazing views and vistas….you won’t be disappointed!
Old Stone Face
Saline County’s own iconic “old man on the mountain”. Stone Face is another one of the most photographed places in Southern Illinois. An impressive sandstone rock formation which resembles the head of an old man, located on the west face of Eagle Mountain range, accessible by a 1/2 mile steep trail from the parking lot, or by a three mile trail from the Tecumseh statue. It is only for those who like to climb a little.
It is a real oddity that wasn’t discovered until the twentieth century that we know of. It is amazing how many people go looking for it, however and never find it. The trick is to follow the trail up to the cliff, climb up the sloping cliff to a trail that goes along the cliff’s edge in the opposite direction and follow it past all the overlooks until you see it by looking down the side of the cliff. There is no doubt that this is a man, that it is human, and has been there for a long time. The view and the face make it worth the exertion!
Muddy
Muddy is the smallest incorporated town in the state of Illinois with the smallest post office and a Russian Orthodox Church (closed). A mine’s tipple from the Old Ogara mine looks like an abstract sculpture. The mine tipple is made of concrete with railroad ties used as reinforcing rods. Thought to be the only one in the world made of concrete, until someone called from Saskatchewan to say they had one as well.
The population was 68 at the 2010 census. Muddy was built as a coal mining village to house miners working in O'gara #12 mine located on the north bank of the Saline River. The old post office remains, and the sign now reads "OLD MUDDY POST OFFICE".
Sahara Woods State Fish
& Wildlife Area
& Wildlife Area
Sahara Woods, a portion of the Saline County Fish and Wildlife Area, is a hunting and fishing gem nestled in the woods just north of Carrier Mills. The 4,001-acre property was donated to Illinois Department of Natural Resources by Sahara Coal Company in 1998 and after an extensive reclamation program was opened to the public on July 7, 2011. The site has numerous lakes and ponds; Sahara offers a little of something to appeal to any angler.
The two largest lakes, Sahara and Final Cut comprise 100 and 20 acres respectively, but with over 275 acres of total waters there are many small but productive ponds accessible only by foot.
Sahara and Final Cut lakes are both equipped with boat launches, piers and bathroom facilities. Swimming is not allowed in any lake or pond on the site. All the lakes and ponds are open to boats, canoes, kayaks, and angling tubes meeting state regulations with the stipulation that vehicles are not used to back up to the edges of lakes and ponds to launch watercraft.
Catfish, crappie, bass, bluegill and red-ear can be found in the waters of Sahara Woods with catfish restocked regularly. A very good way to get an overview of the locations of lakes and ponds is to use a satellite or aerial imaging application which provides aerial photos of Sahara Woods.
Sahara Woods is open for archery deer hunting, firearm doe hunting, upland game hunting, turkey and fur bearer hunting in season. In November, half the park briefly closes and is reserved for a special deer hunt for terminally-ill youth.
Sahara Woods boasts a plentiful deer and turkey population, as well as numerous flocks of Quail.
Mushroom picking, hiking, and picnicking are allowed, though as yet there are no picnic facilities available. Sahara Woods is well worth a visit and whether visitors are fishing, hunting or just observing wildlife they will experience a very nice taste of rural Southern Illinois.
Pounds Hollow
Recreation Complex
Recreation Complex
Pounds Hollow is nestled in a deep wooded valley with a clean, spring-fed 25 acre lake. A beach for swimmers and sunbathers faces sandstone bluffs. The Pounds has a prehistoric Indian fort, and indian mound and other scenic views. Both hikers and horseback riders can experience the scenery along its trail. Pounds Hollow offers camping sites, swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking areas and hiking trails.
Stonefort Depot Museum
Stonefort is a small town that owes its existence to the railroad industry and the coal industry. The location is itself a relic. The oldest part of the depot dates to the 1890s. Graffiti from that period is preserved, etched on the oldest wall, which was made an interior wall during the building's renovation in 1915. Stonefort Depot Museums is a collection of three museums: The Railroad Depot Museum, the Stonefort Community Museum and the Hardware Store Museum.
The museums hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Burden Falls
Visit one of the most beautiful sites in southern Illinois! This fall is 35 feet feet from top to bottom but what really makes it impressive is the beautiful surroundings. Boulders and rocks nestle this scenic fall giving it an unrivaled natural beauty. This as a favorite for photographers. Come see for yourself!
Winkeler’s Wings & Wildlife
HARRISBURG — Some people may view retirement as a time to enjoy life and forget about their days in the workforce, but Les Winkeler isn’t one of those folks.
Instead, Winkeler is drawing on his vast knowledge and experience of the region’s flora and fauna to help people who want to enjoy the outdoors. He’s operating Winkeler’s Wings & Wildlife, a nature guide service for southern Illinois.
“It’s a niche, to be sure, but it’s one that no one else is doing,” Winkeler says.
Winkeler retired after spending 31 years as the outdoor writer for the Southern Illinoisan and the last several as the publication’s sports editor. During those years, Winkeler traveled river to river across southern Illinois looking for and reporting about hunting, fishing, hiking, birding, camping and other forms of outdoor recreation. He also tackled issues that affected the well-being and future viability of the area.
He’s a member of the Illinois Outdoors Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards for stories he’s written and photos he’s taken.
Now , Winkeler is offering guided trips for hire for those looking for an expert to lead them.
Winkeler said trips are custom-planned for the client.
“One thing we keep in mind is the physical abilities of the client. I’m providing trips customized to meet the physical needs of the client,” he said. “You don’t have to be able to hike up a mountain to go.”
Tours include Sahara Woods and Glen O. Jones lake areas near Harrisburg, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Williamson and Jackson counties, Mermet Lake in Massac County and Horseshoe Lake in Madison County.
Winkeler also has cameras to rent to those hiring him for his guide service.
Tours are six hours long, starting at 6 a.m. in spring and summer and 7 a.m. in fall and winter. Cost is $250 for a single person, or $300 for two or three people. Trips are limited to three people. Camera rental is $50 per camera per day.
Winkeler said he looks forward to sharing his favorite wildlife spots with others.
“There are some special places in southern Illinois, and I think other people will like to see the birds and wildlife in those areas. I’m happy to show them,” he said.
For more information, contact Winkeler’s Wings and Wildlife on Facebook, call (618) 841-8762 or email les@winkelerswingsandwildlife.com.
-- Reprinted with permission of Southern Illinois Local Media Group.
Book Emporium
The Book Emporium in Harrisburg offers lovers of the printed word an opportunity to browse to their hearts’ content.
Paperbacks of all kinds, along with a separate room for hardcover books fill the store at its 617 E. Church St. For Brooks, operating her store is a labor of love.
“Books are My Passion” is emblazoned on the door of the shop, and in talking with her, it’s clear she stands behind the statement.
“I love it. I love having a bookstore,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anything I’d rather do.”
Brooks has operated the Book Emporium at two other locations since moving to Harrisburg. The store started out in Parker Plaza, and later moved to another location.
Now, it’s conveniently located on the south side of Church Street across from the CVS Pharmacy drive-through exit.
Besides the hardcovers and paperbacks, Brooks maintains a sizable inventory of local history reads. “We’re originally from Paris, Illinois, and I guess no one ever did anything noteworthy up there, because there sure weren’t any books about it,” Brooks said with a laugh. “We didn’t have any gangsters.”
She said upon moving to Harrisburg in the mid 1990s, she got a crash course in local history.
“The first thing people told me about was ‘Murder in Little Egypt’ and next it was Charlie Birger,” Brooks said. “I try to keep a copy of all the local history books I can, because there is a lot of interest in it.”
She also has a few copies of old Harrisburg High School yearbooks and other books with a local flavor.
The Book Emporium, which reopened in late October, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Brooks said she looks forward to helping people find books they like. “I think I’ve got a book for everyone,” she said.
Book Emporium is located at 617 E. Church St., Harrisburg, IL. Phone number is (618) (618) 252-8022.
-- Reprinted with permission of Southern Illinois Local Media Group
Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art
The Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art, the result of the largest donation to Southeastern Illinois College, is an amazing new part of Saline County and its culture.
The museum is the shared vision of retired Air Force Col. William C. Hise and his brother, the late Air Force Brig. Gen. James C. Hise. The Hise brothers wished to honor their late sister Ella Elizabeth Hise, who was a pioneer in art education in Illinois and began her career in Harrisburg Public School.
It will feature artists from southern Illinois, as well as southern Indiana, western Kentucky, southeast Missouri and western Tennessee.
Ella Elizabeth Hise was born on a farm near Omaha on April 14, 1908. The family moved to Harrisburg in 1918, and she graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in 1926. The same year, she entered Southern Illinois Normal University, and in 1928 she earned a two-year teaching certificate. She began teaching fourth grade in Harrisburg, which continued until she became art supervisor for the school system. She continued as art supervisor until 1947.
She later became art supervisor at the Effingham and Bond County Schools and a member of the extension and workshop faculty of Eastern Illinois State College. She worked closely with the Illinois Department of Education, where she served on virtually every committee devoted to art progression in elementary and secondary schools.
In 1948, Gov. Dwight H. Green appointed her to be the Superintendent of the Art and Textile Dvision of the first post-World War II Illinois State Fair. On opening day of that fair, she received nationwide recognition by showing the innovation of American women in designing and using feed sacks for dress material when materials for civilian clothing were in short supply due to the war effort.
In 1945, she became an active member of the national honorary educational society Delta Kappa Gamma. She helped to organize Psi chapter in Harrisburg and Alpha Pi in Effingham. She served as president of both chapters and as the State Corresponding Secretary from 1953-1955. She served as president of the Women’s Association of the Illinois Education Association in 1953. She received her undergraduate degree from SIU and a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Illinois. She died on Aug. 27, 1962 after a long illness.
Several paintings by the artist known as Penny Cent are part of the museum’s permanent collection, and other Penny Cent works are on loan for the opening show. Penny Cent, who got the nickname from his name Penrod Centurion, was a visiting professor and artist for College in the Hills, a Great-Depression-era college located near the junction of Illinois 34 and Karbers Ridge Road. Penny Cent had a fellowship through the Guggenheim Museum.
-- Reprinted with permission of Southern Illinois Local Media Group
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