Old Shawneetown, IL

Old Shawneetown is a tiny, quiet village of around 110 residents sitting right on the banks of the Ohio River in southeastern Illinois. Back in the early 1800s, it was one of the most bustling gateways to the frontier, thriving on river commerce, salt trading, and waves of settlers heading west. It even served as an administrative center for the Illinois Territory before statehood. Today, the village offers a calm, scenic riverfront atmosphere deeply rooted in frontier history.

ATTRDougtone / CC BY-SA 2.0

The town's course changed dramatically because of the river at its doorstep. After decades of severe Ohio River floods, a record-breaking flood in 1937 inundated almost the entire community. In response, most residents relocated three miles inland to higher ground and founded New Shawneetown. The original village remained behind on the water, keeping its tranquil riverside location and the historic structures that withstood the rising waters.

ATTRDougtone / CC BY-SA 2.0

Visiting Old Shawneetown today feels like taking a step into the past. Its centerpiece is the Historic Shawneetown Bank, a striking Greek Revival building from the early 1840s with grand stone pillars that highlight the village's early financial prominence. Nearby, the restored John Marshall House museum marks the site of the first chartered bank in Illinois. The Shawneetown Bridge connects the village across the Ohio River directly into Kentucky along Route 13, making travel across state lines quick and convenient.