Mercer County: Wetlands and History

Mercer County offers several specific themes to consider when planning a trip: the Keithsburg Division of the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, historic sites in Aledo, and festivals with regional connections. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to first decide what you’d like to focus on: natural areas, architecture and local history, or an event date. The places and traditions below show how varied a visit to the county can be.

Keithsburg Division: Wetlands and Floodplain Forest

The 1,400-acre Keithsburg Division of the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge is in Mercer County, just north of Keithsburg, within Pool 18. It consists of interconnected wetlands and floodplains and is also a mosaic of wetlands and floodplain forest. The refuge protects migratory birds and other wildlife along the Mississippi River Flyway. The water landscape and habitats define the natural area, while the protection of migratory birds and other wildlife gives it a particular connection to the flyway.

Aledo’s History and Architecture

Aledo’s historic murals tell the story of the city from its founding in 1855 to its current status as the Rhubarb Capital of Illinois. The three-building Essley-Noble Museum complex preserves more than 2,000 artifacts of local cultural and historical significance. The Mercer County Historical Society and the Essley-Noble Museum offer programs, special events, and activities year-round.

Aledo’s architectural history includes several specific sites. Main Street and the historic residential neighborhoods form an architectural history walking tour. The Aledo Downtown Historic District includes 76 historically significant buildings. The Will Hall Building was restored and preserved to safeguard its historical significance; the Aledo Opera House was built in 1904. The Mercer County Fairgrounds and the Mercer County Courthouse in Aledo are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse can be visited; check visitor arrangements before your trip. The Hall Building was formerly home to Illinois’s oldest operating shoe store.

Rhubarb Fest and Regional Events

The Aledo Rhubarb Fest is an annual tradition devoted entirely to rhubarb; dates vary from year to year. At the Rhubarb Tasting Tent in the Central Park area, you can sample a variety of homemade rhubarb specialties. The festival includes free historic trolley tours that depart about every 20 minutes; dates and operating hours vary. Check the specific festival and program times if you’d like to plan your visit around them.

In New Boston, the annual Fish & Chicken Fry in Mercer County serves fried catfish and chicken dishes; its dates also vary from year to year. The Ride 17 Music Festival is a music festival held throughout Mercer County. Its annual schedule and venues also vary.

Parks, Trails, and Regional Transportation

Fenton Park in Aledo has two tennis courts, playground equipment, a picnic shelter, a lighted ball field, and RV parking spaces. Aledo also has about two miles of paved sidewalks and multi-use trails in total. At Lake of Matherville, there is a walking trail with views of the landscape. The parks, trails, and lakeside trail offer additional possible areas of focus for your stay, alongside the historic sites and festival dates.

For regional trips, RIM Rural Transit serves Mercer County and, with advance reservations, takes passengers from rural areas to destinations in the Metro Quad Cities. If this service is relevant to your plans, be sure to make the required reservation before traveling.

Explore more destinations: Windsor, Clay County, Montgomery County, Fayette County, Peoria, Kankakee County, Douglas County, Union County.

For the broader travel overview: Illinois.