Introduction to Mattoon, Illinois
Mattoon, Illinois is 39 miles SE of Decatur, Illinois (center to center) and 118 miles NE of St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Coles county.
Mattoon History
Mattoon was originally known as "Pegtown." In 1861, the city was rechristened Mattoon after William Mattoon, chief construction engineer who helped construct the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad. During the 1880s, the area was known as the "Expansion Capital of the World." A number of manufacturing industries flourished in Mattoon in the beginning of the 20th century. The city was devastated by a tornado on May 26, 1917. Mattoon earned economic benefits and civic pride in the 1940s and 1950s due to the discovery of petroleum reserves in the surrounding countryside.
Mattoon and nearby Attractions
- Douglas - Hart Nature Center
- Lake Mattoon
- Lincoln Log Cabin
- Fox Ridge State Park
- Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area
- Hidden Springs State Forest
Things To Do In Mattoon
You can visit the Douglas-Hart Nature Center and enjoy the scenic beauty of its trails, prairie, and deciduous forest while on a trip to Mattoon. The nature center includes a bird observation area. Lake Mattoon is a popular recreation spot and provides facilities for fishing, boating, and camping. Golf enthusiasts can visit the Meadowview Golf Course and the Mattoon Golf and Country Club. Shopping can be enjoyed at the Cross Country Mall Shopping Center and Good Neighbor Shopping Center.
Mattoon Transportation
Coles County Memorial Airport is nearby.
Mattoon Higher Education
Lake Land College is the local college. Other universities and colleges offering higher educational facilities are Eastern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Heartland Community College, and Indiana State University.