Your first stop in Arcola should be the Tourist Information Center located in the historic Illinois Central train depot. In addition to visiting our small museum at the depot, you can pick up information about Arcola and the surrounding area. Take a peek next door and you’ll see the World’s One and Only Hippie Memorial.
Stroll historic Main Street where you can find a variety of gifts and wares for your home. Join us on the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October for "Market on the Prairie" where street vendors offer a fresh supply of plants, herbs, Amish baked goods and jellies, and artisan trinkets and wares.
If it’s Amish furniture you’re after, you’ll have plenty of options at various Amish furniture dealers in Arcola. Bring the family and spend the day at Rockome Gardens theme park where you can visit seven beautiful gardens, observe master artisans demonstrating century-old traditions, and participate other family-oriented activities.
Stopover to the Carnegie Library, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and observe the classic revival architectural details. Bring your bicycle and ride through the countryside to take in the country air, miles of farm scenery, and view diverse farming styles and techniques for planting and harvesting and Amish farms.
Unplug in Arcola…just off of I-57, far from the beaten path.
Historic Illinois Central Train Depot 135 N. Oak Street Arcola, Illinois
61910 Phone: 217-268-4530, Fax: 217-268-3690 Web site:www.arcolachamber.com E-mail:staff@arcolachamber.com
Arcola
Depot and Welcome Center is a restored Historic Train Depot, built in
1885. Its museum displays railroad memorabilia, Raggedy Ann doll
collection and the Louis Klein Collection of antique brooms and brushes
in the United States, along with other interesting Arcola relics and
keepsakes. Tourist information is also available as the Arcola Chamber
of Commerce is also housed at this site.
World’s One & Only Hippie Memorial 135 N. Oak Street Arcola, Illinois 61910 Phone: 217-268-4530, Fax: 217-268-3690 Web site:www.arcolachamber.com E-mail: staff@arcolachamber.com
Arcola is also known for housing the world's only Hippie Memorial, created by the late Bob Moomaw. Bob worked as a railroad clerk and tax assessor, but did not like either job. As an eccentric, independent artist with strong beliefs, he was able to give voice to his feelings, passions and opinions through his art and the writing on the sides of his buildings. He created the 62 feet-long artwork starting in 1992 to say something about his life and the era during which he lived. A nearby marker gives an interpretation of his work. The monument is located next door to the historic Illinois Central Arcola Train Depot.
Rockome Gardens / Rockome Gardens Foods 125 N. CR 425 E. Arcola, IL 61910 Phone: 217-268-4106, 1-800-45-AMISH
The rock formations & beautiful flower gardens are what Rockome Gardens are known for.The gardens and rock formations were built during WWII when the owner, Arthur Martin, wanted to make the largest flower garden in Douglas County, Illinois. People from all over the world have enjoyed the gardens ever since. Walk along these creative rock sculptures and our seven beautiful gardens of 35,000 flower plants. The gardens consist of the Sunken Garden, Formal Garden, Herb Garden, Spanish Garden, Fern Garden, the Hill, and the Patchwork Garden.Train rides on Rockome’s smaller train will give you a break with a slow ride through the gardens. A custom-locally-Amish built 3-seat Amish style buggy for another way to view the gardens at a slower pace. Other attractions on site are Marcella’s Corner (an official Raggedy Ann & Andy gift shop, a Blacksmith, Antique Barn, Country Heritage Gifts, Aunt Sarah’s Store, Yoder’s Amish Furniture, Ice Cream Shop, livery Stables, Petting Zoo, Playground, School House, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken, and the Trading Post. Some of our shops & buildings are under renovation and will be opened soon.
Admission includes: Tours of the Martin House, Flower Gardens, Rock Formations, Train Ride, Illinois Amish Museum, Haunted Cavern, Petting Zoo, Look-Out Tower and the many stores on the grounds.
Tri-County Auctions Vernon Yoder 650 E. CR 400 N. Arcola, IL 61910 Phone: 217-268-3444
You may like auctions and you may want to get an authentic, mix-with-the Amish experience.You can do both at one of several of Vernon Yoder’s auctions held on his farm near Arcola.
Vernon Yoder’s Tri-County Auctions cover a wide range of items and are listed on a calendar of sales.Included among these are:
·Advertising and Farm Memorabilia—signs, farm primitives and collectibles, etc.
·Construction and heavy Equipment—backhoes, trailers, skids, dozers, forklifts, trucks, dump trucks, Tommy lift, pressure washer, fuel tank, etc.
·Semi-annual Wagon, Buggy, and equipment sale.
·Estate Auctions
·Farm Toyand Farm Memorabilia Auction
·Heart of American Pony Sale—all breeds.
·Central Illinois Machinery Sale—antique and modern tractors.
