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Attractions -- East
Shawneetown Bank was one of the first banks in Illinois. It was built in 1840 and stands as the oldest structure in Illinois built specifically and solely as a bank. This four-story Greek Revival was constructed as a cost of $80,000 and stands in Old Shawneetown near the banks of the Ohio River. Continual flooding and declining river traffic led to the decline of Old Shawneetown. In 1942 the bank was closed and purchased by the State of Illinois. During the 1970s the state began restoration on the bank. The Shawneetown Bank is open only by request. Call (618) 269-3303 for additional information.
The Pope County Historical Museum was opened in 1966 by the Pope County Historical Society. Unfortunately, the museum and its contents were lost in a 1988 fire. The historical society rebuilt and the new museum in located in Golconda, east of the Presbyterian Church. Golconda was settled in 1798, offered settlers a ferry service to cross the Ohio River, and was a witness to the Trail of Tears. Needless to say, the museum is rich in local Pope County history.
The Saline County Area Museum is located in a three-story brick building in Harrisburg. The building used to be the Old Pauper House, previously part of a 170-acre poor farm. The museum opened in 1965 and contains exhibits that portray pioneer life in southern Illinois. The 3-acre museum complex houses five authentic log cabins that have been moved to the complex for display. Call (618) 253-7342 for additional information.
Located in Elizabethtown, the Rose Hotel opened in 1812 and served the area until 1967. It was the oldest hotel in continuous use in the state of Illinois. After sitting empty for more than 20 years, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency acquired the hotel in 1989. More than 1.5 million dollars were invested in restoring the hotel to its original condition. With a spectacular view of the Ohio River, the Rose Hotel is a beautiful piece of history.
Crenshaw House was built in 1834 by John Hart Crenshaw and is located between Shawneetown and Equality. Also referred to as Hickory Hill and The Old Slave House, Crenshaw House has a dark history. Gallatin County was Illinois’ only county to allow slaves prior to the Civil War and the slaves were used to work in the salt springs. John Crenshaw not only used slaves, but is said to have used Crenshaw House to operate a reverse underground railroad where freed black slaves were kidnaped and sold back to slavery. Crenshaw House was closed to the public in 1996 but has reopened through the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and once again shed light on local Gallatin County history.