Mount Vernon
Around Mount Vernon
Photo: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Illinois · 36k people
Mount Vernon
Locals say Little Egypt · “The Hub”
Heart of Little Egypt
Forest greenHarvest gold
Welcome to Little Egypt! Whether you're here for the lake, the forest, or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and a slower pace. Come chat about the latest catch or the best fair pie.
Clubs for Mount Vernon
No clubs for Mount Vernon yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Mount Vernon. 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 Mount Vernon. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Rend Lake Large reservoir for boating and fishing.
- Shawnee National Forest Expansive forest with hiking and scenic views.
- Cedarhurst Center for the Arts Art museum and sculpture park in Mount Vernon.
- Jefferson County Courthouse Historic courthouse on the town square.
- Mount Vernon City Square Central gathering place with shops and events.
- Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Park with camping and lake access on Rend Lake.
- Outdoors Fishing on Rend Lake
- Outdoors Hiking in Shawnee National Forest
- With kids Swimming at the lake beaches
- With kids Visiting the Cedarhurst sculpture park
- Evenings Local taverns and pubs
- Evenings Live music at the Cedarhurst
- Locals love Lake recreation spots
- Locals love Small-town diners
Through the year
- Jefferson County Fair summer Summer fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Franklin County Fair summer Summer fair in Benton with entertainment and exhibits.
- Hamilton County Fair summer Summer fair in McLeansboro with local agriculture and crafts.
- Rend Lake Fishing Derby spring Annual fishing competition on the lake.
The region has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Precipitation is spread throughout the year. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Little Egypt”
- Nickname for southern Illinois.
- “The Lake”
- Rend Lake.
- “Crick”
- A creek or small stream.
- “Holler”
- A hollow or small valley.
Getaways
- Centralia Visit the Centralia Carillon and downtown.
- Marion Check out the HUB and the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.
- Carbondale Explore SIU campus and Giant City State Park.
- Effingham Shopping and dining in a bustling town.
Local flavour
Rooting for St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), St. Louis Blues (NHL), St. Louis City SC (MLS), SIU Salukis (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Persimmon pudding A traditional southern Illinois dessert made from wild persimmons
- Fried catfish Served at local fish fries and lakeside restaurants
- Cornbread A staple side dish, often baked in a cast-iron skillet
- Chow-chow relish A tangy condiment common in southern Illinois pantries
Where people go
- Rend Lake A large reservoir offering fishing, boating, and camping
- Shawnee National Forest Rolling hills, trails, and scenic overlooks
- Farmland Vast fields of corn and soybeans
- Small-town squares Historic courthouses and local shops
- Diners Family-owned eateries serving homestyle meals
Heritage and traditions
Mount Vernon and the surrounding Little Egypt towns are proud of their down-home Southern Illinois culture—coal mining heritage, outdoor life around Rend Lake, and a warm, small-town friendliness. Locals love to share their bluegrass music, catfish dinners, and the quirky nickname 'Little Egypt' that sets them apart.
This time of year in Mount Vernon
- Apple butter making fall Families gather in the fall to stir apple butter over open fires.
- Deer hunting fall Autumn brings the start of deer season, a major local tradition.
- County fairs and festivals summer–fall Summer and fall are packed with county fairs and community celebrations.
- Cedarhurst Art Fair fall Held on the grounds of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, featuring juried artists, live music, and crafts.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — About to do something (e.g., 'I'm fixin' to go')
Festivals
- Cedarhurst Art Fair fall Held on the grounds of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, featuring juried artists, live music, and crafts.
- Eagle Days at Rend Lake winter Winter event where visitors can see bald eagles gathered at the lake, with guided viewing and programs.
Landmarks with a story
- Franklin County Coal Miners' Memorial A tribute to the miners who worked the region's coal seams, featuring sculptures and a wall of names.
- Hamilton County Courthouse Historic courthouse in McLeansboro, a centerpiece of the town square since the 19th century.
- Jefferson County Historical Museum Housed in a historic building, it preserves the area's pioneer, coal, and agricultural heritage.
- Mount Vernon Carnegie Library A Carnegie library built in the early 1900s, still serving as a community hub.
Food traditions
- Morel mushroom hunting and frying In spring, locals scour the woods for these prized mushrooms, then bread and fry them for a seasonal treat.
- Apple butter making In the fall, families and community groups gather to stir apple butter in copper kettles, a slow tradition passed down.
- Church catfish fries Many churches host Friday-night fish fries during Lent, serving fried catfish, hush puppies, and coleslaw.
- Squirrel and dumplings A traditional dish from the region's hunting culture, slow-cooked squirrel with dumplings, often served at family dinners.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass music A strong local tradition, with jam sessions and festivals like Sesser's Bluegrass Festival.
- Country music Popular with local bands and at community events.
- Folk art and quilting Handmade quilts and woodcrafts are valued and sold at local fairs.
- Cedarhurst Center for the Arts A cultural hub with galleries, sculpture park, and art education programs.
A little history
- Late 19th–20th century Coal mining era
- 1830s–1840s Little Egypt nickname origin
- 1970s Rend Lake construction
- 1850s–1900s Railroad expansion
- 1861–1865 Civil War era
Rivalries
- Mount Vernon vs. Centralia high school football Annual game with big local turnout.
- Benton vs. West Frankfort high school basketball Fierce county rivalry.
- SIU Salukis vs. Murray State Racers Close regional college rivalry.
- Cardinals vs. Cubs Local fans are split but Cardinal fans dominate.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day High school basketball
- Outdoors Morel mushroom hunting
- Outdoors Eagle watching at Rend Lake
- With kids Attending a bluegrass festival
- With kids Visiting the Franklin County Coal Miners' Memorial
People here speak with a Southern-influenced accent, often drawing out vowels and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' It's a relaxed, friendly way of talking that reflects the region's ties to the South and its own Little Egypt identity.
Only here
- The region is called 'Little Egypt' because its fertile farmland once supplied grain to northern Illinois during a drought, just as ancient Egypt fed Rome.
- Rend Lake is a major Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, covering over 18,000 acres.
- Sesser is known as the 'Bluegrass Capital of Southern Illinois' for its annual festival.
- Persimmon pudding is a beloved local dessert made from wild persimmons that grow in the area.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold winters; pack accordingly.
- You'll need a car – public transit is limited.
- Embrace the 'Little Egypt' nickname – locals love it and you'll hear it everywhere.
- Try the local foods: persimmon pudding, fried catfish, and morel mushrooms in spring.
- Learn a few phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' – it'll help you fit in.
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Nearby
Every areaCentraliaIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the coal fields, and everyone knows your name.Du QuoinIllinoisWhere the state fair meets the harvest.BentonIllinoisHeart of Little Egypt's coal country.FairfieldIllinoisWhere the Little Wabash winds through golden fields.MarionIllinoisWhere the hills and lakes meet the coal countryCarbondaleIllinoisWhere the hills meet the prairie and the Salukis roamEffinghamIllinoisWhere the highways meet and the heartland beats.St. LouisMissouriA river city with a big heart and even bigger flavors.
Mount Vernon, 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.