Chester, Illinois, became the county seat of Randolph County in 1847. The current courthouse was built in 1975 and includes a 5th floor observation deck offering views 350 feet above the Mississippi River.
Next door is an interesting museum that houses artifacts collected over time from Randolph County residents. This Neo-Gothic stone museum, Randolph County Courthouse Annex, was built in 1864 to house the county clerk’s office, but is now used to preserve local history.
Artifacts document the rich history of the area’s early French settlers and later immigrants. Exhibits feature the life and times of folks in Randolph County. The museum contains Native American artifacts from the area and an electric chair once used at Menard Correctional Center. The Musum also contains extensive archives left from its days as the county clerk’s office.
Frederick Weistar House Historic Site, Chestnut Street, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.05 mi (straight line)
St. Nicholas Landmark, Ferry Street, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.21 mi (straight line)
Chester Welcome Center, 10 Bridge Bypass Rd, Chester, IL 62233, USA
Distance: 0.32 mi (straight line)
Chester Welcome Center, Bridge Bypass Road, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.32 mi (straight line)
Chester Welcome Center, Bridge Bypass Road, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.32 mi (straight line)
Cohen Memorial Home, Harrison Street, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.33 mi (straight line)
822 Swanwick St, Chester, IL 62233, USA
Distance: 0.56 mi (straight line)
217 Opdyke Street, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.62 mi (straight line)
Spinach Can Collectibles, State Street, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 0.65 mi (straight line)
174 MO-51, Perryville, MO 63775, USA
Distance: 0.95 mi (straight line)
Mary's River Covered Bridge, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 4.60 mi (straight line)
Kaskaskia Bell State Historic Site (Liberty Bell of the West), 1st Street, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 4.87 mi (straight line)
203 1st St, Chester, IL 62233
Distance: 4.90 mi (straight line)
Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area, South Lake Drive, Chester, IL, USA
Distance: 4.91 mi (straight line)
Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site, Kaskaskia Street, Ellis Grove, IL, USA
Distance: 5.83 mi (straight line)
4372 Park Rd, Ellis Grove, IL 62241, USA
Distance: 6.27 mi (straight line)
Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
