Illinois’ First Road

Jim Hill shares information on the thirty miles of the 60 mile long historic Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail, Illinois first continuously used roadway, which traverses the center of Monroe County, from north to south. This 1700’s era road facilitated the first European settlements and regional growth that led to Illinois statehood in 1818, with Kaskaskia as the first state capitol. Due to the roads historic significance statewide, the Illinois General Assembly designated it a State Scenic and Historic Route on December 3, 2014. At this presentation you will learn about the road’s historic importance, and how the road today is being preserved and promoted for heritage tourism.