Thomson

Thomson is the Melon Capital of the World, according to the signs. They do grow a lot of melons around here. They also have a number of pleasant recreation areas nearby.

Visitor information is available through the Village of Thomson (815.259.2455) and the Carroll County tourism office (866.367.6505).

Thomson is one of those communities that exist because of a decision made by a railroad executive. In 1864, the Western Union Railroad selected this location for their tracks, bypassing the older and more populous community of Bluffville that was located two miles to the northeast. The first post office carried the name Sandville, but the town was eventually named after G.A. Thomson, one of the officers in the very same railroad company that created the town. In its early years, Thomson grew as the railroads attracted stockyards, warehouses, and most of the businesses from Bluffville. The melon industry has been strong for generations due to the sandy soil in which the rotund gourds thrive.

The Thomson Depot Museum (907 Main St.; 815.259.2361; open weekend afternoons in season) has the usual relics of local history, plus railroad memorabilia, an old telephone switchboard, and a very cool antique post office service window and post office boxes.

The York Community Church (2301 Illinois Hwy 84; 815.259.2901) traces its roots to 1852 when it was founded as the Church of Christ. The current frame church was completed in 1865 as a standard Gothic Revival structure with a central bell tower and vestibule entrance. Church members quarried the rock and did most of the carpentry. The congregation retired its debt by hosting a big dinner at the church’s dedication: a plate at a table with roasted pig was $20; roast turkey was $10; roast goose was $5; and roast chicken $2.50. The event brought in more money than they needed, so they used the extra funds to purchase a bell. In the 1920s, the building was expanded and the tower moved to the southeast corner; new pews were installed, as well as a full immersion baptistery (which was removed in 1983 and replaced with a mural). The church became the Community Church in 1937. The father of Smiley Burnette—Gene Autry’s movie sidekick and the train conductor in Petticoat Junction—served as the congregation’s pastor for while in the 1920s.

The 62-mile Great River Trail that runs from Rock Island to Savanna passes through Thomson.

The Thomson Causeway Recreation Area (815.259.2353) is located at one of the widest spots along the Mississippi River. Besides the numerous campsites, the recreation area has plenty of space to picnic, fish, or just hang out next to the river. This is a popular spot on summer weekends.

Just east of Thomson, French Bluff State Natural Area (Scenic Bluff Rd.; 815.273.2731) was once the site of the village of Bluffville. It withered away when the railroad went to Thomson. You can hike through the natural area on old service roads that make for a moderately easy hike to a bluff-top ridge, but the views of the valley are blocked by trees in the summer.

Thomson celebrates the harvest of its favorite crop over the Labor Day weekend with Melon Days (866.367.6505), a traditional hometown festival but with free watermelon.

Thomson Causeway Recreation Area (815.259.2353; April–Oct.) is one of the better Corps-operated recreation areas. The campground has plenty of shade and is not too cramped; most of the 131 sites have electricity and share a common water source.

Heading upriver? Check out Savanna.

Heading downriver? Check out Fulton.