Heritage Canyon, 515 N. 4th Street, Fulton, IL, is a 12-acre wooded site ideal for nature walks, throughout the seasons. Cost to traverse Heritage Canyon is by donations only, all of which are used for improvement of the park.
While the venue focuses on 19th century Midwest history, the site has a history of its own. From the mid-1800’s to 1954, the “canyon” was a deep limestone quarry. Outcroppings and strata are clearly visible along the perimeter of the canyon. Where the modern caretaker’s home sits, rock was crushed for field fertilizer, road beds, wing dams, and levees. Trucks, trains, and Mississippi River barges hauled it away.
Self-guided walking tours, marked by numbered yellow arrows on brick paths, will guide you through a pleasant experience. You may be greeted by wild turkeys and white tail deer. Photography is another popular activity of visitors. A covered bridge and a swinging bridge over a ravine are great stops for photographs. The Mighty Mississippi is across the street, at the end of the canyon parking lot.
Today, Heritage Canyon is dotted with 11 buildings that take the visitor back to the 1800’s. In 1967, Harold and Thelma Wierenga bought the quarry and transformed it into a charming recreated village.
Their goals were:
- preserve Midwestern history, emphasizing detail and authenticity
- disturb nature as little as possible as each building was added.
In October 2005, the City of Fulton was given ownership of Heritage Canyon. A memorial kiosk for the Wierengas is on display near the entrance into the Canyon.
Those with wedding plans will want to consider the Canyon church. It is available for small weddings and seats up to 25 people. Cost to rent the church is $185 and includes a $50, refundable deposit. Please call the caretaker for details and availability at 815-589-4600.
Three 2014 Special Events at Heritage Canyon are
- Fall Festival, Friday, October 4, and Saturday, October 5, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early American Crafters and others will interpret life in the 19th century. Food and baked goods will add to your enjoyment.
- Beggar’s Night, allows children to trick-or-treat at the buildings, Saturday, October 18, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Christmas Walk, with candle/lantern-lit paths and holiday decorations in the village buildings and complimentary cookies, Saturday, December 6, from noon to 7:00 p.m.
At these events, the Early American Crafters, Civil War reenactors, and other historical groups take us back in time as they recreate history in the mid-1800’s. During special events there is a charge of $2 per adult and $1 per child.
For more details about the events at Heritage Canyon, please visit the “Events” page and scroll by date: http://www.cityoffulton.us/fulton-events.html.