U.S. 40: Casey to Effingham, Illinois

U.S. 40: Casey to Effingham, Illinois

About 10 miles west of Casey is the village of Greenup, named the "Village of Porches," because of the over-hanging porches on many of the community's downtown buidlings.

To go into downtown Greenup (yes, this town was bypassed years ago), turn right off of U.S. 40 onto Cumberland Road on the east edge of town. (It's OK if you miss the turn, though, just continue to the four-way stop and turn north onto Illinois 130 and back west onto Cumberland.)

Enjoy one of the many antique shops here or take a tour through the historic train depot that sits right along the old highway.

The depot served the community dating back to the 1870s. Today it serves as a train museum.

Wine, anyone?

Care for a glass of wine? Then visit Cameo Vineyards winery just west of Greenup. Turn north onto Mill Road and look for the winery built from an early 1900s barn and sits on a bluff overlooking the Embarras River.

Here you can taste wines made from locally grown grapes while sitting on a porch looking out over the vineyard, or stay inside and keep warm by the fireplace.

Another mile further east on the highway is the Cumberland County Covered Bridge spanning the Embarras River. This is a replica of the bridge that stood here in the 1800s, so it's not as interesting as seeing an original covered bridge. However, a pleasant historical site has been created here with information available on the construction of the Cumberland Road, the Embarras River Valley and the original bridge.

Continue west on the Greenup spur of U.S. 40 until you return to the main highway. Three miles later you can take another spur to the south and the community of Jewett.

Stop and stretch your legs at Homecoming Park where the bell from Jewett School District No. 65 still stands. The bell served the school from 1881 until it closed in 1967.

From Jewett, continue west on the main highway. You'll be sandwiched by Interstate 70 to the north and a railroad line to the south as you cruise through Montrose into Teutopolis.

Home of the Wooden Shoes

"T-town," as it's known in these parts, boasts one of the most unique high school nicknames around ... the Wooden Shoes. The name honors the community's German heritage and a local craftsman who carved the shoes for a living into the 1930s.

Teutopolis also has a rich religious history. The town was founded by a group of German Catholics, who formed St. Francis of Assisi Church in 1851.

A group of Franciscan Friars formally took over the church in 1858 and today the Monastery Museum next to the church gives visitors a glimpse into the area's religious history. Also, a room is dedicated the craftsman who is partly responsible for that unique team name, the Wooden Shoes.

Three miles west of T-town, you will arrive in Effingham.

Continue west on U.S. 40 (Coming soon!)

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