http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/05/01Jun22-Chain-of-Rocks-Bridge.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)The development of not only cars, but roads themselves has improved safety and lessened highway fatalities.  But in the 1920s…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/12/06Jan22-Luna-Cafe-2022.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)In front of the Luna Café, on old route 66 near Mitchell, Illinois, you’ll find a beautifully restored neon sign…the…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/09/07Sep21-Chester-Illinois-History-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Take a drive south of St. Louis on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River and you’ll find some very…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/09/06Sep21-Chester-Illinois-History-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Illinois’ Largest City – A Long Time Ago Chicago is by far the largest city in the state of Illinois. …

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/03Sep21-Chester-Illinois-Popeye-3.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)A lot of people don’t like spinach, but this guy did.  In fact he really liked spinach.  And when he…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/02Sep21-Chester-Illinois-Popeye-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)There was no doubt this young man had talent.  He was operating motion picture as the local opera house in…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/01Sep21-Chester-Illinois-Popeye-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)The name Elzie Segar doesn’t resonate with most folks, unless you happen to live in Chester, Illinois.  Folks there know…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/31Aug21-Alton-Illinois-Underground-Railroad-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Imagine unearthing history from nearly two centuries ago to find the secret routes people used to gain their freedom.  That’s…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/30Aug21-Alton-Illinois-Underground-Railroad-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Railroads spanned these two cities on opposite sides of the Mississippi River, but it was a secret railroad that had…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/21Jul21-Pontiac-WWII-Home-Band-Exhibit-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Imagine a chance to get to hear one of the biggest bands of the day and dance with movie starlets. …

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/20Jul21-Pontiac-WWII-Home-Band-Exhibit-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)As time passes there are fewer Americans that can recall the life on the homefront during the years of World…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/16Jul21-Pontiac-Civil-War-Music-Museum-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Many museums cover the history of the Civil War, but few cover this specific topic within that war.  That doesn’t…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/15Jul21-Pontiac-Titanic-Museum.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Many museums cover the history of the Civil War, but few cover this specific topic within that war.  That doesn’t…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/05/26May21-King-Neptune-the-Pig-3.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)He was a hero of World War II.  And that’s saying something for a pig.  Yes, a pig named King…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/05/25May21-King-Neptune-the-Pig-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)It costs a lot of money to build a battleship.  The U.S. government was building all kinds of ships as…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/05/24May21-King-Neptune-the-Pig-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Let’s face it – most hogs are destined to become pork chops and bacon.  But this hog had a change…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/04/17May21-Ropp-Jersey-Cheese-3.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:01 — 2.1MB)When the Covid pandemic hit this country, this small business suddenly found half of its sales gone.  It was a…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/04/14May21-Ropp-Jersey-Cheese-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:01 — 2.1MB)It may be difficult for a small dairy producer to make a living.  However, just outside of Normal, Illinois, Ken…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/04/13May21-Ropp-Jersey-Cheese-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:01 — 2.1MB)Ken laughs when people tell him he must be pretty famous to have a road named after him.  It is…

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/04/12May21-Kermit-Bell-3.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:01 — 2.1MB)Over two decades after he first entered the army…Kermit Bell was now on his way to Vietnam.  Not only would…