Effingham
Around Effingham
Photo: Doc Searls · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Illinois · 44k people
Effingham
“Crossroads of the Nation”, “Heart of the USA”
Where the highways meet and the heartland beats.
Slammers RedCornfield GreenInterstate Navy
Welcome to Effingham, where the crossroads of I-57 and I-70 bring folks together from all over. Whether you're here for the World's Largest attractions, the white squirrels, or just a good pork tenderloin, you'll find a friendly small-town vibe. Enjoy the lakes, the fairs, and the easy pace of life.
Clubs for Effingham
No clubs for Effingham yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Effingham. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Effingham. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- World's Largest Wind Chime A giant wind chime in Casey, part of the town's collection of oversized objects.
- World's Largest Rocking Chair A huge rocking chair, a popular photo stop in Casey.
- World's Largest Pitchfork Another oversized item in Casey, celebrating the area's farming roots.
- White Squirrel Statue A sculpture in Olney celebrating the town's famous white squirrel population.
- Lake Sara A reservoir near Effingham offering boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Sam Parr State Park A park near Newton with a lake for camping, hiking, and fishing.
- Outdoors Boating and fishing on Lake Sara
- Outdoors Hiking and camping at Sam Parr State Park
- With kids Visit Casey's World's Largest attractions
- With kids See the white squirrels in Olney
- Evenings Catch a concert at Effingham Performance Center
- Evenings Watch the Effingham Slammers play
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Main Streets
Through the year
- Effingham County Fair August A classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Balloons Over Effingham August A hot air balloon festival with launches and evening glows.
- Olney White Squirrel Festival May A community festival celebrating the town's white squirrel population.
- Taste of Effingham September A food festival featuring local restaurants and live music.
Effingham has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors, with mild temperatures. Best: Spring and fall
Getaways
- Champaign-Urbana A college town with great food, music, and the University of Illinois campus.
- Decatur A larger city with parks, a zoo, and Lake Decatur.
- Mount Vernon Known for the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts and outdoor recreation.
- Vincennes Historic town on the Wabash River with old forts and museums.
Local flavour
Teams
- Effingham Slammers Prospect League
Also rooting for St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago Bears (NFL), Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun – an Illinois staple found in local diners.
- Pumpkin treats Newton is the self-proclaimed Pumpkin Capital, with a festival featuring pumpkin pie, bread, and more.
- German-style bratwurst
Where people go
- The Cross at the crossroads A large illuminated cross at the intersection of I-57 and I-70, a symbol of the area.
- World's Largest roadside attractions in Casey Giant rocking chair, mailbox, wind chime, and more – quirky photo stops that draw tourists.
- White squirrel viewing in Olney A protected population of white squirrels in a small-town park, a unique local treasure.
- Small-town diners and Main Streets Classic midwestern diners and family-owned shops in towns like Effingham, Altamont, and Neoga.
Heritage and traditions
Effingham is proud of its German-Catholic heritage, its role as the 'Crossroads of America,' and the strong sense of community in its small towns.
This time of year in Effingham
- Fall pumpkin patches Fall Local farms open pumpkin patches and corn mazes in autumn.
Say it like a local: “Crick” — Creek
Landmarks with a story
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church A historic Catholic church in Teutopolis, founded by German immigrants in the 19th century.
- Effingham County Courthouse A historic courthouse in the town square, built in the late 19th century.
- National Road (US 40) The old National Road passes through the county, with historic markers and remnants.
- Effingham Railroad Depot The old depot recalls the town's founding as a railroad hub.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Catholic parishes host Friday fish fries during Lent, a tradition rooted in the area's strong German-Catholic heritage.
- German potato salad Served warm with vinegar and bacon, this is a staple at church picnics and family gatherings.
- Homemade noodles Many families make egg noodles from scratch for chicken and noodles, a comfort food passed down through generations.
- Sauerkraut and sausage at Oktoberfest During fall festivals, sauerkraut and bratwurst are served, reflecting the German settlement.
Music and arts
- German polka music Polka bands play at Oktoberfest and heritage events, keeping German traditions alive.
- Community theater The Effingham Performance Center hosts local theater productions and touring shows.
- Local country music Country music is popular, with local artists performing at fairs and bars.
- Arts and crafts at the county fair The fair showcases local quilts, paintings, and handmade crafts.
A little history
- 1853 Effingham was founded as a railroad town
- 1830s German immigrants settled Teutopolis
- 1800s The National Road brought travelers and commerce
- 1902 White squirrels were introduced in Olney
- 2001 The Cross at the Crossroads was erected
Rivalries
- Cardinals vs. Cubs A friendly baseball rivalry that splits households and bars.
- Effingham vs. Teutopolis A local high school sports rivalry that gets the whole area talking.
- Olney vs. Newton A small-town rivalry over bragging rights in sports and community events.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day High school basketball
- Outdoors Deer hunting in fall
- Outdoors Birdwatching
- With kids Picking pumpkins at a local patch
- With kids Attending the Effingham Performance Center
Residents speak with a general Midwestern accent, often using 'pop' for soda and 'supper' for dinner. In Teutopolis, a few German words may be heard, especially during heritage events.
Only here
- Casey, Illinois, holds the record for the most World's Largest roadside attractions in one town.
- Effingham is known as the 'Crossroads of America' due to the intersection of I-57 and I-70.
- Teutopolis is the only town in the United States with that name, reflecting its German roots.
- Olney's white squirrels are protected by a city ordinance, making them a unique local treasure.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters—pack for all seasons.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner; it's a regional staple.
- Visit Olney to see the famous white squirrels—they're protected by law.
- Take a photo at the World's Largest Wind Chime in Casey, just a short drive away.
- Get involved in a church or community group; it's a great way to meet neighbors.
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Effingham, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.