HGTV Names Illinois Town One of America’s Most Charming

When it comes to charming small towns, Galena, Illinois, always seems to be the top choice. However, a new ranking from HGTV highlights another Illinois town making the list.

Why HGTV Picked Alton as Charming

Alton might not be the first place you’d think of as “charming,” but HGTV sees it differently. This river town earned a spot among the top 50 most charming towns in America thanks to its rich history, ties to Route 66, lively festivals and events, and even its claim to having the most haunted house in the country, The McPike Mansion (where at least ten spirits have been known to haunt the mansion).

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Haunted Legends at McPike Mansion

I’ve never spent time in Alton; I’ve only driven through, but I’ve never had the pleasure of stopping to explore.. While I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to tour the McPike Mansion, there are plenty of other places that make Alton special.

Historic Firsts: From Lincoln to Wadlow

The town is the birthplace of Robert Wadlow, the tallest man on record. It also played an important role in the Underground Railroad and is known for the famous Abraham Lincoln duel. So, while Alton may not be a Galena-style town with a historic downtown shopping scene, it offers plenty of fascinating historical sites worth visiting.

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Alton isn’t far from Quincy. In fact, the Quincy Senior High School football team plays Alton every year, so the town is no stranger to Quincy and the surrounding area.