Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

"The largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico - Route 66 passes by a city that was bigger than London in 1100 AD."

📍 Collinsville, IL🏛️ Peak 1050-1200 AD🚗 Near Route 66🌐 UNESCO Site

The Story

While not a Route 66-era attraction, Cahokia Mounds represents 800 years of Native American history that Route 66 travelers could explore. At its peak around 1100 AD, Cahokia had a population of 20,000 - larger than London at the time.

The 120 mounds, including the 100-foot Monks Mound, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Route 66 travelers could take a short detour to walk among the remnants of a sophisticated civilization that built the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas.

Surprise Facts

→ Population of 20,000 - larger than London circa 1100 AD

→ UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982

→ Monks Mound is the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas

Visit Information

✓ Open to Visit

Address: 30 Ramey St, Collinsville, IL 62234

Hours: State historic site hours

Tip: Climb Monks Mound for views of the Mississippi River valley

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