Franklin County Historical Attractions

Historic Jail Museum & Franklin County Tourism Bureau

The Historic Jail Museum in Benton serves as the home of the Franklin County Tourism Bureau. This beautifully restored 1905 structure houses memorabilia of the gang era from the days of prohibition, as well as mementos from famous Benton natives including General John A. Logan, actor John Malkovich, NBA basketball star Doug Collins, and Beatle George Harrison, who visited his sister in Benton in the summer of 1963.

Address: 209 W. Main St. Benton, Illinois
Phone: 800.661.9998
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - closed Sunday
Driving Directions

Franklin County Garage

Built in 1910, this former Ford dealership in Benton has been restored to its original condition and features autos and memorabilia of the era.

Address: 211 N Main St. Benton, Illinois
Phone: 618.438.2121
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am to 4 pm - Sat 11 am to 4 pm

Driving Directions

Veteran's & Coal Miner's Museum

This restored railroad depot in West Frankfort houses memorabilia from all wars. Outside is a Southern Illinois Miners Memorial dedicated to coal miners of the region.

Address: 100 E Main St. West Frankfort, Illinois
Phone: 618.937.2205

Driving Directions

Sesser Historic Opera House

Located at the west edge of Rend Lake, Sesser is home of the Historic Opera House, which was erected in 1914 after a fire destroyed the original structure. It has been restored and is now used for Community Theater and musical programs.

Address: 108 W. Franklin Ave., Sesser, Illinois
Phone: 618.625.5116

Driving Directions

Silkwood Inn

Established in 1828 as a halfway stop on the Shawneetown to St. Louis Trail, this restored log cabin houses memorabilia of the area.

Address: 2130 School House Rd., Mulkeytown, Illinois
Phone: 618.724.7495
Hours: Open by appointment

Driving Directions

Frankfort Area Historical Museum

Formerly the Logan School Building in West Frankfort, this museum features area mining history, memorabilia from 1802 to the present, and houses an extensive genealogy library of the area.

Address: 2000 E. St. Louis St. West Frankfort, Illinois
Phone: 618.932.6159
Hours: 9 am to 3 pm, Wed & Thur. and by appointment.

Driving Directions

Ken Gray Presidential/Congressional Hall of Fame

Features memorabilia from Ken Gray's years as a congressman.

Address: 804 N. Douglas, West Frankfort, Illinois
Phone: 618.937.6100
Hours: 1 pm to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday

Driving Directions

West Franklin Historical District & Genealogical Society

Housed in the Mulkeytown Grade School Building, the library contains books by area authors, records for genealogical research and many historic artifacts.