The NW Illinois Directory
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Every supper club, trailhead, main-street shop, and stay across all four counties — searchable in one place.
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First Carson Pirie Scott Store PlaqueThis historic plaque marks the Amboy storefront where Samuel Carson and John T. Pirie established the dry-goods business in 1854 that became Carson Pirie Scott & Co. The marker is mounted at the original brick building, now home to the Long Branch Saloon.
Forreston Veteran’s MemorialThe Forreston Veterans Memorial honors local service members from the Civil War through the present. Located near Walnut and Cherry streets, the memorial includes monuments and engraved names recognizing Forreston-area residents who served and those who died in military conflicts.
Morrison Lincoln Highway MuralThe Morrison Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural at 208 E. Main Street depicts visitors arriving at the 1921 Whiteside County Fair after the newly paved Lincoln Highway made regional travel easier. Installed as part of the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition’s interpretive mural series, the hand-painted work connects Morrison’s fair heritage with the nation’s first transcontinental highway and forms part of the scenic byway’s public-art trail across Illinois.
Morrison-Rockwood Recreational TrailThe Morrison-Rockwood Recreational Trail is the first phase of a community-supported route planned to connect Morrison with Morrison-Rockwood State Park. The existing section begins near the Norrish Road covered bridge and extends toward Crosby and Damen roads, offering a quiet outdoor route for walking and bicycling. The Friends of the Parks Foundation supports this trail and other recreation, park, and nature projects in the Morrison area.
Oregon Area Bike TrailsTrailhead at Oregon Depot. 10 mapped routes, city & rural, historic sites, river, bison. Bike-friendly maps online.
Oregon Community Bike Trail7-mile trail through Oregon Park West, Fairgrounds Park, downtown, and sculpture trail. Bike Ogle and enjoy river views, woods, historic sites. Printable map online.
Oregon Lincoln Highway Interpretive GazeboILHC interpretive gazebo on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn. Related mural in downtown Oregon. Part of a 40-mural, 16-gazebo project funded by FHWA and Illinois DOT.
Oregon Lincoln Highway Interpretive MuralDepicts 1924 Road Guide’s mention of Blackhawk statue trip. Mural shows the 48-foot Blackhawk statue by Lorado Taft on the Rock River bluff. Part of IL Lincoln Highway mural project.
Prophetstown MuralsExplore downtown public murals depicting Prophetstown history and celebrating the community’s Illinois Arts Friendly recognition.
Rochelle Lincoln Highway Interpretive GazeboILHC gazebo at Rochelle Railroad Park with panels on Lincoln Hwy history. Mural at 429 Lincoln Hwy depicts Emily Post’s stay. Funded by FHWA and Illinois DOT.
Rochelle Lincoln Highway Interpretive MuralEmily Post-themed Lincoln Highway mural at 429 Lincoln Highway, part of the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition interpretive mural series.
Rochelle Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural #2On Trans World Plastic Films, 150 N 15th St. Sepia mural from vintage postcard depicts Chicago & Northwestern Railroads, Rochelle-built Partin-Palmer automobile, and Lincoln Hwy “L” sign. Highlights Rochelle as “Hub City.”
Rock River Trail Bike RouteSigned and mapped bicycle route following the Rock River through northern Illinois, with downloadable cue sheets for self-guided rides.
Sterling Lincoln Highway Interpretive MuralLincoln Highway mural at 424 Locust Street composed as five vintage radio-program advertisements; part of Sterling's downtown mural collection and its self-guided public-art tour.
- Sterling Murals Self-Guided TourSelf-guided downtown tour of Sterling's large hand-painted historical murals, with an online story map showing locations and background for each work. The mural program is now supported through Sterling Main Street.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish RefugeThe Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge – Savanna District in Thomson offers visitors access to one of the largest river wildlife refuges in the country. Stretching 261 river miles from Minnesota to Illinois and protecting more than 240,000 acres of wetlands, floodplain forests, backwaters, and river habitat, the refuge provides endless opportunities to experience the Mississippi River landscape. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking, biking, birdwatching, photography, boating, and seasonal wildlife viewing year-round. Located within the Savanna District, visitors can also experience popular Golf Cart Wildlife and Birding Tours and explore the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, which is open year-round and features educational exhibits and opportunities to learn more about the river ecosystem. The refuge is part of the Mississippi Flyway and offers incredible opportunities to observe migrating birds, bald eagles, and native wildlife in every season.
