Information Centers
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Stop in to any Illinois Tourist Information Center and ask our travel counselors about an Illinois attraction, hotel/motel, bed & breakfast or campground. We will even make lodging reservations free of charge. For more information or to have your brochures displayed in the centers please contact Illinois Tourist Information Centers at (309) 837-7460.Illinois Tourist Information Centers Brochures Guidelines 
Fort Massac Tourist Information Center5402 Hwy 45 South Metropolis, IL 62960 HISTORY Fort Massac Tourist Information Center is named after Fort Massac State Park. Fort Massac State Park is Illinois' first State Park. In 1757, French soldiers built a wooden fort at the southern tip of Illinois bordering the Ohio River. This wooden fort would later be called Fort Massac, named after the French minister of Colonial Affairs, M. de Massiac. Fort Massac was added to the National Register of Historic Places and in 1908 the fort was dedicated as Illinois' First State Park. Fort Massac Tourist Information Center is located at the entrance of Shawnee National Forest. Fort Massac Tourist Information Center is also located on the Ohio Scenic Byway. 
Salt Kettle Tourist Information CenterI-74 Westbound Oakwood, IL 61858 HISTORY The Salt Kettle Tourist Information Center was named after the iron kettle, which was a Monument on route 150 until the rest area was built. Iron Kettles were used at the old Salt Works, known as the Vermilion Salines, in the early 1800's for the commercial production of salt. Salt springs were utilized by the Kickapoo and Piankeshaw Indians. Later settlers dug wells 50ft. deep and the salt water was boiled in large iron kettles, which produced 1 bushel per 100 gallons of water. The kettle became a symbol of progress. The official shield of Vermilion County displays a silhouette of a salt kettle and the motto "ye are the salt of the earth." The Salt Works became the area's first industry. 
Cumberland Road Tourist Information CenterI-70 Rest Area-Westbound Route 3 Marshall, IL 62441 HISTORY In the early 1800's, settlers moving west of the Ohio River wanted to expand the territory and expressed the need for a better road from the eastern part of the United States. Starting in 1827, the first national highway was constructed from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois. Later designated as U.S. 40, this highway was also known as the National Road, National Pike, and Cumberland Road. The influence of the Cumberland name extends as far west as Cumberland County, Illinois, which is located 25 miles from U.S. 40, which runs parallel to 1-70. 
Silver Lake Tourist Information CenterI-70 Rest Area-Eastbound Highland, IL 62249 HISTORY Silver Lake Tourist Information Center received its name because the facility is situated on a parcel of land that encompasses the 550 acres of land that contains Silver Lake. Silver Lake, established in 1962, is the premiere water supply for the city of Highland, IL. Silver Lake is also used as a recreational area for fishing, hiking, and picnicking. 
Prairie View North I-57 Rest Area-Northbound North of Peotone Entrance Monee, IL 60449 Prairie View South I-57 Rest Area-Southbound South of Monee Exit Monee, IL 60449 HISTORY The Prairie View Rest Area's name was derived from the French explorers who used their word for meadow when they witnessed the massive grasslands of what is now Illinois. It is believed that over half of the entire state was covered with what they called prairie grass. The prairie is an ecological system that mostly flourishes between March and October. The rest area is built on this rich prairie soil which allowed a vast grassland to develop and occupy the area in pre-settlement times. A portion of grassland was created on the grounds along the back border of the property. For many years each spring, the grass would be burned off to allow the regeneration of grass and an array of horticultural specimens to bloom. This process would emulate the natural grass fires that would have occurred. Visitors can "view the prairie" from the facility's back glass walk or take a walk on the west border for a closer look. 
Rend Lake Tourist Information Center80N I-57 NORTHBOUND Whittington, IL 62897 HISTORY The Rend Lake Rest Area (located on Rend Lake property) was actually named after Rend Lake, the second largest man-made lake in Illinois. Rend Lake was named after Rend City. Rend Lake is 18,900 acres, 3 miles wide, 13 miles long, and 162 miles of shoreline. Rend Lake features nearly 800 campsites, 2 beaches, marinas, 27 holes of championship golf course, Seasons Lodge, Restaurant & Conference Center, Rend Lake Resort & Conference Center, and a full range of outdoor activities. 
Trail of Tears Tourist Information Center32 North I-57 Anna, IL 62906 HISTORY Trail of Tears Tourist Information Center was named after the "forced march of the Indians." In the winter of 1838-39, the Cherokee Indians camped at the location of the rest area. The Cherokee Indians were a civilized nation, living in Cherokee, North Carolina. President Jackson declared his full support of the removal of the Cherokee from their homes to a reservation in Oklahoma. An armed force of 7, 000 soldiers forced 15, 000 Cherokee to march nearly 1, 000 miles to the reservation. This forced march was known as "The Trail of Tears," due to the many hardships, sorrow, and death of 4, 000 Cherokee. 
Homestead Tourist Information CenterI-55 Rest Area-Northbound Hamel, IL 62046 HISTORY Homestead Tourist Information Center received its name because of the early settlers that established Farmsteads within the Hamel, Illinois proximity. The Homestead Tourist Information Center also has a Route 66 theme. This is due to the fact that parts of Interstate 55 are on the original Route 66.  Union Station Tourist Information Center500 East Madison Street Springfield, IL 62701 HISTORY Union Station was opened in 1898 by the Illinois Central Railroad. The last passenger train departed Union Station on April 30, 1971. For 14 years, the building was vacant. In 1985, under threat of demolition, Union Station was rehabilitated by the Scully family and opened as a boutique shopping mall. The station was subsequently sold to the State of Illinois and used as offices for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. When the decision was reached to build the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, Union Station underwent an extensive restoration back to its 1898 glory. The Union Station Tourist Information Center was opened on March 19, 2007.
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