Located at the intersection of two major highways, Effingham is a vibrant city in south-central Illinois. It was settled by European-Americans in 1814 and was originally known as “Broughton” before being designated as the seat of Effingham County in 1859. Effingham developed into a major railway junction at the meeting point of the Illinois Central and Pennsylvania Railroad lines.
Things to do in Effingham
Occupying a historic courthouse is the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, which celebrates the people, industries and events that have left their mark on the area. Designed in a Second Empire style, the courthouse was constructed in 1871 and is topped by a squat tower with a pyramidal roof. In the adjacent square is a memorial dedicated to fallen veterans.
One of Effingham’s most famous landmarks is the Cross at the Crossroads, a 60-metre-high steel cross that is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. It rises above sprawling farmland at the south-east entrance to the city, with monuments dedicated to each of the Ten Commandments at its base.
Effingham makes an excellent base for visiting the Dr. Charles M. Wright House, an 1889-built residence in nearby Altamont. It was designed in an Italianate style by Charles H. Spilman and features an asymmetrical brick facade featuring two ornate bay windows. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its period-furnished rooms offer insight into life in the 19th century.
Getting around Effingham
Effingham is around 1.5 hours’ drive from St. Louis and St. Louis Lambert International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Regular trains connect from Chicago and New Orleans to the Effingham railway station and buses travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.