Explore the Ancient Cahokia Civilization Mounds in Illinois

Residents of Southern Indiana are familiar with the Angel Mounds, an area considered to be "one of the best-preserved, pre-contact Native American sites in North America." What many people (myself included) may NOT know is that there is another amazing Native American site not far from here, in the town of Collinsville, Illinois.

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Cahokia Mounds Museum Society

Cahokia Mounds

Collinsville is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Evansville, IN, and located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO - and it is where you will find the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. I have to admit I had never heard of Cahokia before, which is hard to believe considering how massive this civilization once was. Cahokia thrived for hundreds of years and was home to thousands of residents. Here is how unesco.org describes Cahokia...

Located in Collinsville, Illinois near the city of St. Louis, this largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico is the pre-eminent example of a cultural, religious, and economic centre of the Mississippian culture (800–1350), which extended throughout the Mississippi Valley and the south-eastern United States. This agricultural society may have had a population of 10,000–20,000 at its peak between 1050 and 1150, which was equivalent to the population of many European cities at that time. It once covered more than 1,600 hectares and included some 120 mounds.

Plan a Trip to the Cahokia Mounds

What remains of this ancient civilization is located on 2,200 acres within the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, which includes the 100-foot-high Monks Mound, the largest earthwork in North America. The site's Interpretive Center appears to be closed while renovations are completed, but there is still plenty to see and do, but be prepared to walk. The Cahokia Mounds Museum Society is in charge of the site and recommends you wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as well as hats and sunscreen, and bring bottled water and insect repellent.

12 Illinois Waterfalls All Within a 2 Hour Drive of Evansville Indiana

Check out these incredible photos captured by Grant Twiss Outdoor Photography featuring 12 Southern Illinois waterfalls that will have you ready to pay a visit to Shawnee National Forest and the surrounding area.

Beautiful Nature Photos from Shawnee National Forest Will Make You Want to Visit Southern Illinois

Take a virtual hike through the area between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers known as the Shawnee National Forest located in Southern Illinois with these stunning photos featuring Garden of the Gods, Tunnel Hill, Giant City Park, Cave in Rock, and more.

Illinois Town Will Make You Feel Like You are in the Movie HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS

Remember the 80s classic "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"? What's it like to feel like a tiny ant looking up at the giant world around you? There's a small town only two hours from the tri-state that is home to over 20 giant items. Being surrounded by them definitely gives you the perspective of an itty bitty bug.

Lacey Marsh and her family visited the small town during spring break this year and shared her photos with us. She said, "It's a really neat place! And people were very friendly."

For more on the attractions at Casey, IL, visit the website bigthingssmalltown.com.