Gallatin’s history unfolds across different scales: a 19th-century bank building, the effects of a flood, and the economic role of salt production. In Shawneetown, one of these stories begins with the Shawneetown Bank, built between 1839 and 1841 to house the offices of the Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown.

Bank Architecture and the History of Shawneetown

The three-story brick building is designed in the Greek Revival style. Its front features a limestone façade, a portico, and limestone steps. Visitors interested in architecture can see the style and the contrast between brick and limestone in specific structural features.

The history of Old Shawneetown follows a different course: the 1937 flood led to most of the town being relocated to higher ground, while the original site was preserved as a historic site. A walking tour of historic Old Shawneetown includes historic banks, churches, and homes. Tour arrangements and routes may change; check the details before your visit.

The Gallatin County Courthouse in Shawneetown contains a mural painted by Earl Ledyard in 1941. It depicts historical events from the county’s early history. This specific work offers a connection to the broader history of the county.

The Shawneetown post office was established in 1811 and once served as a distribution center for an area spanning five states. Another historical connection is Illinois’s oldest vault: it was returned to Shawneetown in 1979.

Salt History and Landscape

The Crenshaw House is a historic site in Junction and was the home of John Hart Crenshaw. The site is currently closed to the public. Salt production was Crenshaw’s main source of income. By 1830, he operated three of the nine salt furnaces in Gallatin County.

Salt production also became a major industry in Equality in its early days. The Great Salt Springs are southeast of Equality. Another salt-related landscape feature is Gallatin County’s Half Moon Lick: this horseshoe-shaped salt lick measures about 300 feet across at its widest point. These places and measurements offer different, specific points of reference for the region’s salt history.

Places, Culture, and Events

The Turner Opera House was a landmark in Equality for at least 80 years. The Ohio River Visitors Center in Equality is located on the former site of the opera house. Check the visitor center’s current operating information before planning a visit.

The John Marshal Home/Bank Museum is owned and operated by the Gallatin County Historical Society. The Duffy Site is the location of an Indigenous village from the Late Woodland period. These two sites complement the area’s architectural and economic history with institutional and archaeological themes.

The Popcorn Days are still held every September in Ridgway; check the exact dates for the year in question. The Ohio River Scenic Byway begins and ends at the Wabash Memorial Bridge in Gallatin County. As route details may change, it is worth checking the route again before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Randolph, Kane, Champaign, Kendall County, Wayne County, Stephenson, Ogle County.

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