About Arcola
Nestled just off Interstate 57, Arcola marks the entrance to Illinois Amish Country. Our quiet central location is just a little more than two hours from St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago. Tucked between the University of Illinois and Eastern Illinois University, our quaint community offers a variety of opportunities for working, relaxing, dining, shopping and learning for residents and visitors alike.
Arcola celebrates its heritage as "broomcorn capital of the world" with the renowned Broom Corn Festival. Visitors pack in every year the weekend after Labor Day. They come for numerous broom activities, unique arts and crafts, free entertainment, and great food. The festival's parade is Central Illinois' largest and is home to the world famous Lawn Rangers, who twirl and toss their brooms. The community still boasts ties to broomcorn and the broom industry with companies such as the Thomas Monahan Company and the Libman Company.
The community is also the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. Painted by the Walldogs in 2012, the Raggedy Ann and Andy mural downtown commemorates the legendary pair and their creator. And every year, the community honors all three with the Raggedy Ann and Andy Friendship gathering. The event, held in June at the Arcola Center, brings collectors from the world over to trade dolls and priceless stories of Raggedy Ann and Andy. The event also provides a number of fellowship activities for families to ensure that the National Toy Hall of Fame characters remain enamored in the hearts and minds of generations to come.
Arcola's historic downtown is lined with stately buildings and its original brick street. You'll find a host of unique shops that offer shoppers opportunities to purchase art, antiques, locally made Amish baked goods and hand crafted Amish furniture.
If you require something with a little more activity, novel adventures are right around the corner at Aikman Wildlife Adventure. New to the Arcola area, the family owned park consists of a drive-thru habitat as well as walk-thru park and petting zoo featuring a large variety of species from all over the world. The park is located at the former Rockome Gardens location.
Need something a little further off of the beaten path? Then you will find a trip out of town to be more than a breath of fresh, country air. Farming styles are diverse: everything from the latest in farming technology for planting and harvesting to the the horse-drawn machinery of Amish farmers. Douglas County is home to Illinois' largest Old Order Amish settlement. The rural area is lined with Amish homes, businesses, and schools, plus horse-drawn buggies.