Village Town Square
In the center of town stands the octagonal cobblestone bandstand built in 1931. It replaced the wooden bandstand erected in 1871. On the west side of the park is the cobblestone entertainment stand. It replaced the original wooden speakers stand razed in 1954. A cobblestone Honor Roll Memorial dedicated to those who served our country is on the south side of the park. The “Avenue of Flags” is displayed on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Visitors can enjoy a picnic in the park as they enjoy the history. Additional information on the Metamora Parks can be found on this website.
Illinois Mennonite Heritage Center & Museum
675 State Route 116 (2 miles west of Metamora)
Here you can research the story of your Anabaptist origins; find your family lineage in our library; visit the museum exhibits and the restored Sutter Barn; enjoy the Resser Prairie Arboretum and tidy Schertz Grandfather Haus; or just share a visit with friends and family.
For more information: imhgs.org
Joseph Villiger Blacksmith Shop
308 E. Partridge St.
Joseph Villiger, Blacksmith, operated the shop from 1906-1938. Currently privately owned, it was restored in 2003. Inside the shop is an operating forge and the history of the shop.
Hand-forged items are available for sale.
The Original Woodford County Jail
304 E. Partridge St. (at N. Niles St.)
The first Woodford County Jail is located just off Route 89. It is privately owned and not open to the public. It is a federal-style all-brick structure.
Adlai E. Stevenson I Home
104 W. Walnut St. (at S. Menard St.)
Visit the former home of Adlai E. Stevenson I, who served as Vice President under Grover Cleveland from 1893-1897. The restored Civil War federal-style home currently serves as a museum of Metamora memorabilia. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Open hours: See our Events; also available by appointment.
Metamora Courthouse Historic Site
113 E. Partridge St. (on the Square)
This 1845 Greek revival courthouse was built for the Illinois Eighth Judicial Circuit Court. Abraham Lincoln was involved in more than 70 cases here between 1845 and 1858. The building became the Metamora Opera House in 1896. It began its transformation into the museum it is today in 1921.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/MetamoraCourthouse
Oakwood Cemetery
700 Coal Bank Rd. (near Willow Glen Dr.)
St. Mary’s Church
415 W. Chatham St. (at N. Tazewell St.)
In 1863, St. Mary’s Parish was founded after a priest from the Diocese of Chicago visited Metamora. The cornerstone for the church was laid in 1864. Daily mass is still offered at 415 W. Chatham Street. South of the church stands St. Mary’s School, the only Catholic school in Woodford County.
Lincoln – Douglas Boulder Marker
601 S. Frances St. (south of W. Bertram St.)
Visit the spot where Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln gave their campaign speeches in 1858. In 1911, a granite boulder was placed in Page’s Grove to commemorate this event. Today the site is known as Lincoln-Douglas Park and is located one quarter mile south of Route 116: Take S. Hanover St. to diagonal S. Frances St. then to the edge of town.
St. Mary’s Cemetery
Coal Bank Rd. at W. Progress St./Santa Fe Trail
