Before we begin, let’s clear up this issue: As far as the experts at HGTV are concerned, Galena is not the most picturesque tiny town in Illinois. Since Galena consistently tops lists of Illinois’s most quaint, adorable, and/or romantic little towns, I felt compelled to inform you that this time, it won’t be the case.
Here are some hints regarding HGTV’s selection for the most quaint small town in Illinois:
- It’s about a four and a half hour drive from Northern Illinois
- The town was the site of the last debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, and also the location of Lincoln’s one and only duel
- It was an important part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War
- The town is also the hometown of a man who holds the title of the World’s Tallest Man (that can be verified) and another man who is regarded as one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time (there’s a plaza named after him in the downtown area)
This is the tallest man in the world:
Here is the legendary jazz musician:
Now That We’ve Gotten The Clues Out Of The Way, You’ve Probably Figured Out Which Illinois Small Town Is HGTV’s Most Charming In Illinois
According to the 2020 US Census, that quaint village is actually Alton, Illinois, which has a population of roughly 25,000.
What HGTV said about Alton was as follows:
The intersection of Route 66 and the Great River Road is Alton, Illinois, the hometown of jazz musician Miles Davis. This charming river village is one of the greatest places to observe bald eagles in the United States because of its limestone bluffs. The Alton Audubon Eagle Ice Festival is held in January and February each year to start off the town’s eagle-watching season. At least ten ghosts are supposed to reside in the McPike Mansion, making Alton one of the most haunted little towns in America.
The following images perfectly capture Alton’s charm:
