AUTOGRAPHS

Visit the Amish Community at Arcola, Illinois

We set our sites for Arcola, IL about 150 miles South of Chicago, IL. Arcola is the beginning of Amish Country in Illinois. We found little difficulty finding the Amish community. There are more buggies on the roads than autos. The Amish settlement begins approximately at Tuscola on the Northeast to Sullivan on the Southwest, about 400 square miles. This was a larger settlement than in Michigan or in Indiana. Travelling the back roads is truly an adventure. We found a store called Family Health Foods, which carried a greater variety of food supplements and homeopathic remedies than most of the large health food stores in major metropolitan areas. There is an Amish Interpretive Center in downtown Arcola, at which you can learn about their religion and lifestyle. We had visited Menon-hof in Shipshewana, IN, so we passed on this one.

While you are in Downtown Arcola  stop at the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum and gift shop. These loveable dolls were developed by native son Johnny Gruelle in 1918 after the loss of his thirteen year old daughter. He wanted to make something loveable and cuddly for children to embrace. Also downtown is the train depot along the Illinois Central tracks. Built in 1886, it now houses the Visitor’s Welcome Center filled with memorabilia from the station, along with an extensive broom collection and homage to Raggedy Ann. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable about many of the attractions in the area, especially if you are interested in learning about the Amish.

A few miles West of town is a small gem of an attraction, Rockome Gardens. This is built for family fun. Admission is free, but be prepared to part with your quarters to feed the goats, chickens, deer, ponies and other animals. The adults also can find ways to leave their money behind at the numerous craft and gift shops throughout the park. Some of the cool things there include houses made out of soda bottles (usually 7-Up or Fresca). They are held together by mortar. There are also many decorative stone fences, some with mythological motifs. For the railroad enthusiast, the outdoor model railroad, at least 4000 square feet is quite a sight. There are even boardwalks so you can walk onto the interior of the plat. Rockome Gardens appeals to the child in all of us.

About the Author

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy.  He is retired from the rat race of working.  He is a  full-time RVer, who ran away from home.  He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons  He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System.  He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.

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