MASSAC COUNTY, ILLINOIS (Mark)

One day last month I dropped Cheri off at this very large structure, which we called, alternatively, the "mushroom" and the "marshmallow."  She had quilting-related activities to attend to; I decided to take a drive. 

Image Source:  https://dianeloomisquilts.wordpress.com

[Note from Cheri:  Mark's picture didn't show the temporary building's 38,000 s.f. size, so I pulled this picture from another woman's blog.  If you follow this link, you will see more about the quilt show.]

I left Paducah and crossed the Ohio River on the old steel-plank bridge on the edge of town:  quite a different experience compared to the interstate-highway style of bridge.  Midway across the river you are in Massac County, Illinois.  I found a road that looked like this and ambled along.

After about seven miles the road scenery changed quite a bit, now looking like this:

and I found what I had been looking for:

Seeing it now, without context, it would be easy to drive on by and not realize the astounding historical significance of this site.

This is known as the Kincaid Site, a National Historic Landmark.  It is of significance for the Mississippian Indigenous people who lived here long before European contact.  It was used for centuries before being abandoned.  An artist rendition of what I may have looked like:

There is more to be learned here about the mounds, which were abandoned before Europeans moved into this area.

After leaving the mounds I started wandering along the county roads.  I stopped at an old-looking cemetery, I often do this as I find it interesting to see the family names and get some idea of the history of an area.  This tree which had been shattered and fallen down was leaning at about the same angle as one of the headstones.

After quite awhile I came to the county seat, Metropolis.  I like finding the courthouse and surrounding historic square in old towns.

Metropolis courthouse is a little bit different than most:

I do not know how the comic book city of Metropolis compares to the city in Illinois, but Superman is certainly on display here.

The town does have some history, and old historic buildings:

and the town does have a Super Museum, featuring - you guessed it - Superman and Superwoman:

I went back to Kentucky on the modern bridge:  a much easier drive, but less character than the old bridge.

Finally, speaking of bridges, a huge railroad bridge comes into Metropolis: