Two Rivers (Illinois & Mississippi): $1M Courthouse; Ferry Boats; Good Food and Great Crops

Sometimes fellas just need to jump on their cycles at the last minute with only a sketchy plan: a general direction, an idea of why you are going, a desire to see some things never before seen, and the comfort of visiting some old and friendly locations. So it happened, in late July, after this area had been deluged with rain that we decided to check out the crops northwest of Bond County, ride a couple of ferry boats, cruise the hilly backroads of Calhoun County, and end up at any one of several good eateries situated on a river.

This is not intended to be one of my in-depth studies of historical and/or interesting sites, but to consist more of pictures and cutlines than one of my normal history lessons. Here we go; kick stands up!

The $1 Million Dollar Courthouse – Carlinville, IL

Macoupin County’s “Million Dollar Courthouse” is impossible to miss when driving through Carlinville.

Starting at exit 60 on I-55 north of Litchfield, the first leg of the day’s trip took us west on IL Rt 108 for 53 miles to the road’s end at Kampsville. The first building that begs for attention on this route is the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville. I have passed this edifice hundreds of times in my 70+ years and have always marveled at how it dwarfs all the other courthouses in the state of Illinois. And I have seen nearly all of them, since I seem to have a thing for courthouses. But I had never taken a photo of this one or given it much thought.

It was designed by a famous architect in 1867 and when erection began it was a $50,000 project supported by bonds and taxes. Construction was halted (not completed) in 1870 after $1.3 Million had been spent, making today’s overspending on government projects seem small by comparison. It was the second largest courthouse, only to New York City, at that time. The 3^rd floor was never completed and planned ornamental statues never commissioned, yet it is still considered by many to be the most magnificent courthouse in the state. It took taxpayers 40 years to pay off the debt and inspired the name “Million Dollar Courthouse”.

One of the project commissioners was accused of diverting stone from the project to be used for a grand hotel in town, while another was last seen leaving by train with a bag full of money, never to be heard from again.