On the west side of Bond County at exit 36 off of Interstate 70, you will find Pocahontas, IL (Pop. 784), an interesting village that is deeply embedded as part of the history of the Historic National Road (later US Hwy 40 and now I-70).
Folks here have made their living off of those roads for 100 years or so, but they also have seen a recent flurry of shopping and eateries opening in the village.
1. Pride of Pocahontas
“Pocahontas Proud” is a country music song by Gretchen Wilson and “yes”, this is the Pocahontas that she wanted to make “proud”. A sign attesting to that fact, greets you as you enter the city limits. Gretchen has been a passionate ambassador for this village ever since she made her Nashville debut in March 2004 with the #1 single, “Redneck Woman”.
Many of the songs she writes or sings are based on the people she grew up with around here and that has led to 13 singles on the Billboard country charts.
Pocahontas has been proud enough of Gretchen to name its park after her. It is a neat acreage dotted with activities, especially baseball and softball, that is the center of activity each summer.
2. All About the Food
A trip to browse the shops of Pocahontas actually is all about the food. Immediately off of I-70 you will encounter Funderburk’s Diner & Gas, which serves traditional fare and where I often join a group of local farmers to cuss and discuss the weather, crops and commodity prices: their favorite topics. BTW, Thursday is pork steak night.
A block away is the Powhatan Restaurant and Motel, which is a landmark restaurant that has been serving weary travelers and locals as long as most current residents can remember. It’s a perfect breakfast spot to fuel up for a day of shopping.
3. Antiques are Found Here
Antiques flow through the village, primarily at a couple of “staples” of the antique scene: Pocahontas Antiques (across the street from Funderburk’s) and Village Square Antiques, which is, of course, located in the heart of town. (Look for the water tower.)
4. Lunch Break
After a morning of seeking an antique bargain, for lunch, you might want head east of town for two miles on US Hwy 40 and find Nuby’s Steakhouse, which sits north back off of the highway along a slab of concrete that used to be the Historic National Road. It’s a throwback to old-time “roadhouses” and the route to it is well marked.
The Copper Dock Winery offers a totally different experience. Tucked back in the woods about a mile north and down a long drive, it will entice you to sit lakeside for hours. There is ample outdoor seating, in addition to a large events center.
5. Downtown Shopping Restored
To keep a town thriving, it helps to have some new “blood” added to those who have labored long and hard. That happened in Pocahontas a few years ago when an enterprising couple purchased the aforementioned Pocahontas Antiques.
That wasn’t enough for them. They have since renovated adjoining businesses and buildings that have, in some cases, not been used for a half century or more. On the east side of the town square, they reworked The Strand, a former movie theater, and made it into a performance and events center that kind of doubles as a museum, as local folks have placed photos and memorabilia on its walls for the world to see.
Next door to The Strand are two examples of extreme make-overs: The Pocahontas Mercantile & Sweet Shoppe. The Mercantile specializes in products made by area artisans. It has the feel of the 1930’s grocery that it once was.
Tucked into the south end of the store is one of my favorite spots in the world: The Sweet Shoppe, which is home to dozens of varieties of sodas and candies, an ice cream parlor, and gourmet pastries of all kinds. Yes, I am a regular at the pastry bar.
The entrepreneurial owners have also spruced up an office building and purchased the former Methodist Church to use as their residence and to house the Pocahontas Flea Market in its basement.
6. Rampart Range
Tired of eating and shopping and feel the need to test one of your skills? Rampart Range offers you a chance to unholster your gun and fire off a few rounds. Thanks to a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, you can easily spend a couple of hours destroying targets. This is an experience rarely available in the state of Illinois.
At Rampart Range you can get training in all facets of shooting or maybe even complete your “conceal and carry” certification like several of my family members have done.
7. Garden Fresh Locally Grown
Before leaving the village, you might want to take the opportunity to buy some garden-fresh veggies at one of its roadside stands. Entering town from the east you will find the Historic National Road spur that goes through the heart of town.
The first thing you will see is a large and tidy garden operated by native Glenn Stoecklin. He’ll have signs posted with the “offerings” for that day or week. I encourage you to load up before you leave town.
8. The Fainting Goat: No kidding!
If you are not yet stuffed from breakfast and lunch and pastries, you might want to consider an evening meal as you leave town. The Fainting Goat is an upscale eatery right at exit 36 that I nominate for the “best use of an old Nickerson Farms structure”.
The owners do have fainting goats, but not on the premises and you can hear a live band just about every Saturday night.
BTW, I do recommend a loaded burger and fries any time of day.
9. The Wooden Tie Café: BBQ at its best
If you came on this trip from the west, a good stop to consider as you head home is about five miles to the southwest of Pocahontas on IL Hwy 143, in the center of the village of Pierron.
There you will find a multi-generational family business, The Wooden Tie Café, which opened in 2017 and has gained a well-deserved reputation for their BBQ offerings. I tried the double-loaded brisket baked potato, which easily feeds two and will ingrain their reputation in your mind too. A serving of bread pudding or a selection from their large bourbon collection, just might top off your meal perfectly.
Why Wooden Tie? That’s a story too long for here and now, but worth asking the matriarch of the establishment about. Set aside more than five minutes for all the details, because it explains how a “wooden tie” became a unique trademark for this family business.
10. Looking for Gretchen
Oh yes, and if you’d like to continue on the Gretchen Wilson “trail”, just a block away is The Smokehouse, formerly known as Big O’s, the tavern where Gretchen Wilson once “held court” on both sides of the bar, doing some early singing and bartending and, undoubtedly, gathered grist for her some of her country hits.
As anyone can see, Pocahontas has a lot of which to be “proud”!
EDITOR’S NOTE: As in most small towns, be sure to check the hours of operation of all the businesses. Retail stores most often are open Thursdays through Sundays, while restaurants tend to keep longer hours.
Well done Roger… THANKS!!!
There’s also a community garden on the Village Square with vegetables free to anyone and everyone!