FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

W FRANKFORT, IL

Aiming for Akin Akin Junction is the location that piqued my interest with the Eldorado Sub, being the first shot I ever saw of it. These old wooden trestles bridge the Eldorado sub across the road and connect into the Bluford Sub. Our short L588 will now leave the Eldorado sub, join the Bluford and head a short ways south, then rejoin the Eldorado at another junction just south of a nearby siding. The wooden trestle are very eye catching and along with the Benton feed mill were my primary focus for shooting the local. The sun wasn't at the best angle for it, but hey, you work with what you've got. Akin is a very neat spot, and one I'd gladly return to.
Aiming for Akin Credit: Leo Blackwelder

The Frankfort Area Historical Museum in West Frankfort, IL is a treasure trove of regional history and artifacts. The museum is housed in an old school building and showcases the history of the area from its early Native American inhabitants to the present. Exhibits include artifacts from the coal mining industry, including tools, photographs and documents, as well as artifacts from the early settlers, including pottery, furniture, and other household items. The museum also houses a large collection of photographs and documents from the town's past.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, such as lectures, book signings, and history-themed storytelling. The museum also provides a variety of educational programs, such as field trips and workshops, for local schools and community groups.

The Frankfort Area Historical Museum is a great way to explore the history of the area and to learn more about the people and events that shaped the region. It is a great place to explore and gain a greater appreciation for the culture, heritage, and history of the area.

FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in W FRANKFORT IL. US MID #8401700382

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin).

Aiming for Akin Akin Junction is the location that piqued my interest with the Eldorado Sub, being the first shot I ever saw of it. These old wooden trestles bridge the Eldorado sub across the road and connect into the Bluford Sub. Our short L588 will now leave the Eldorado sub, join the Bluford and head a short ways south, then rejoin the Eldorado at another junction just south of a nearby siding. The wooden trestle are very eye catching and along with the Benton feed mill were my primary focus for shooting the local. The sun wasn't at the best angle for it, but hey, you work with what you've got. Akin is a very neat spot, and one I'd gladly return to.
Vanta Black I was drawn farther south into Illinois for two reasons - a local train, and a total solar eclipse. I know everyone and their mother went out for this thing, but it was just the most incredible sight. There really is nothing comparable to totality. The 360 degree sunset, the cool air, darkened skies, and that blacker than black orb in the sky that causes it all. My, what an absolute treat. I'd initially hoped to frame the eclipse with something, say a locomotive or crossbuck, but I ultimately didn't. Time and place didn't work for that, nor did I have anything I was really inspired by. I'd rather just see the eclipse instead of running around and wasting my four minutes trying to secure a different photo. So, the telephoto lens straight up it was. I'm happy with that - miles better than my last attempt at shooting the 2017 eclipse! I had just finished shooting CN L588 at Eldorado and decided to head back to Akin Junction, and I wound up viewing the eclipse at Darrel's Snack Shack just outside of the village. Quite the viewing location! A good crowd had formed there but no extreme traffic. Going rural for the viewing was a great choice. I'm so glad I got to experience this eclipse. I ended up getting all I was hoping for when I drove down to southern Illinois - you couldn't ask for a better day!
Beat it to Benton During another day of scouring Flickr, I happened across a photo of CN L588. I was intrigued, and searching for more photos just led me to want to go ahead and get down there to shoot it. I was interested in the Eldorado Sub, and further research suggested that is a Monday-only thing. It was also a decent length drive to do, so I was hesitant to pull the trigger on something that may not be totally correct. Well, then I checked my calender, and it turns out there just so happened to be a solar eclipse in that very area on a Monday. Oh, how we love a good coincidence. Figuring I'd get either one or both, I set off early in the morning, eager to beat the eclipse traffic. I did! I even beat it here in Benton, IL. Benton's feed mill and diamond here is probably the go-to shot for this Centralia-Eldorado local, and for good reason. It's an excellent bit of industrial scenery that many small towns have lost over the years yet has survived here. Benton was also one of, if not the, best places to be for the solar eclipse, as it saw totality for nearly 4m10s, about the highest for our neck of the woods. Safe to say it was jam-packed! But not over by the mill - how handy! GTW5861 is our solo power for this 3-car local. Its CN dress is a little ragged with that big patch on the nose and little bit more wheeze on the horn than is ideal, but this ex-Rock Island GP38-2 is still earning her keep after 45 years.
Eclipse Picnic I think this is just after totality.
The Return of the Sun This is the tiniest fragment peeking out after totality--and already overwhelming my phone's camera.
Watching Totality
Jim at the Total Eclipse
Eden & Ellie at Totality
Looking Up at the Total Eclipse Eden, Ellie, Maggie and Janine.
Total Eclipse Horizon It was like a 360-degree sunset.
Total Eclipse This photo does it no justice, of course. One of the striking things about the total eclipse is how sharp-edged the disc is, actually.
Total Eclipse and Venus We could see Jupiter too--Mars and Saturn were behind clouds, we think.

Contact FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
2000 E SAINT LOUIS ST
W FRANKFORT
IL
62896

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FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM Information

MID # 8401700382
Name FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
Alternate Name FRANKFORT AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Classification Historical Societies, Historic Preservation, , Midwest
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 237183651
NTEECC
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM) 201212
INCOME 0
REVENUE 0
LAT/LONG 37.9, -88.902438
CODES FIPS State Code: 17
FIPS County Code: 055
US Census Tract: 041100
US Census Block: 3007