Illinois Route 100, the Road to Calhoun County
Now when you get to Peoria, cross to the north (west) side of the the Illinois River and follow U.S. Route 24 about 40 miles to Lewistown, where you pick up Ill. Route 100.
Rt. 100 leads you southwest, criss-crossing the Illinois River for about 130 miles between Lewistown and Grafton following some of the state’s prettiest riverfront scenery.
Rt. 100 enters Calhoun County near Bee Creek Road, about 80 miles north of St. Louis and continues south another 30 miles to Hardin, where we leave Rt. 100 (we’re not going to Grafton on this trip) and switch to local roads—Illinois River Road and Ferry Road—to the Golden Eagle crossroads, thence to Golden Eagle Ferry Road which leads to the banks of the Mississippi River and a ferry board that will take you Missouri. (It’s 20 miles from Hardin to the ferry.)
Calhoun County is a beautiful place with rock cliffs, open fields and orchards, settled by veterans of the Civil War as I was told. There is a fresh water spring at Bee Creek where you may fill your canteen. Along Route 100 there are a few do-it-yourself Mom and Pop restaurants. In Kampsville stop at the Center for American Archeology visitor center
Leave early in the morning from home, you'll be home by very late evening.
Have a full tank when you get to this area. There are no services.
For ferry schedules see the internet site at
http://www.greatriverroad.com/SecondaryPages/ferries.htm.
Ken Lively
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