Chaplin Creek Village – Franklin Grove, Illinois affords the visitors the opportunity to see and tour a full-scale historical restoration project depicting a prairie settlement typical of the middle 19th century.
The Village is continually being added to with authentic buildings to compliment those that are currently at the site. Those available for touring consist of:
Early Settlers Cabin
Electric Light Newspaper and Printing
Hedgerow Forge
Julie’s Roadhouse
Scott Barn
Smith & Hull Hardware
Sullivan-Lindsey Saltbox House
Village Gazebo
Village Jail
Yorty School House
Each of the buildings have a history lesson with them telling the story of the pioneer days.
Several special events take place in the Village of Franklin Grove each year, most notably, the Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival, which is part of the community-wide celebration. Events featured at Chaplin Creek include: Live Blue Grass & Folk Music, Draft Horse and Mule Jamboree, Chaplin Creek Muzzle Loaders – Demonstrations, 19th Century Prairie Village Demonstrations, Illinois Atlatl Association – Spear Throwing, Rogers Cadet Company – Civilian & Military Life Demonstrations.
Chaplin Creek Village serves as the home of the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, the Chaplin Creek Muzzle Loaders, and the Illinois Atlatl Association.
If you are interested in history and would like to "go back in time" then the Village is a place that you will want to visit.
Phone: 815.456.2382
Driving Directions:
Chaplin Creek Village is located just south of Franklin Grove, IL at 1715 Whitney Rd in Franklin Grove, IL.
From the east…
From the points east of Franklin Grove, take Interstate 88 also known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway or formerly known as the East-West Tollway to Illinois 251 / Rochelle exit.
At the end of the exit ramp, turn right / head north on Illinois 251 to Illinois Route 38. (Route 38 is at the base of the north end of the bridge).
Follow the signs around the bridge to Route 38 and head west.
Follow Route 38 through Rochelle, through Ashton and in to Franklin Grove to North Elm Street.
Turn left / travel south on Elm street through downtown Franklin Grove, to Hughes Street.
Turn Right / head west on Hughes Street to South State Street.
Turn left / head south on State Street. As you travel south, State Street becomes Whitney Road.
Chaplin Creek Village is on the west side of Whitney Road about one quarter mile south.
From the west…
From the points west of Franklin Grove, take Interstate 88 also known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway or formerly known as the East-West Tollway to the Illinois 26 / Dixon, IL exit.
Head north on Illinois 26 to Illinois Route 38. (Please note that Route 38 and Route 52 are the same road off of Route 26. You will see Route 52 clearly marked with a separate sign indicating that Route 38 is to the right. If you are unsure, please follow Route 52. Route 52 and Route 38 split just to the east side of Dixon).
Follow Route 38 through Dixon and in to Franklin Grove to North Elm Street.
Turn left / travel south on Elm street through downtown Franklin Grove, to Hughes Street.
Turn Right / head west on Hughes Street to South State Street.
Turn left / head south on State Street. As you travel south, State Street becomes Whitney Road.
Chaplin Creek Village is on the west side of Whitney Road about one quarter mile south.