Massac County

Massac County is an administrative county in southern Illinois that stretches along the Ohio River, combining forests, agricultural fields, and river valleys into a varied landscape. The terrain transitions from riverside areas to wooded regions, with communities scattered throughout the county.

French colonists built Fort Massac in 1757 during the French and Indian War, naming it after the Marquis de Massiac. The fort was part of France's efforts to control trade and movement along the Ohio River during that conflict.

The Kincaid Site shows ancient earthwork mounds built by the Mississippian people, revealing how Native Americans lived and organized communities here long ago. These structures remain visible today and help visitors understand early settlement patterns in the region.

The county connects to Kentucky via the Interstate 24 Bridge at Metropolis, serving as the main road crossing the Ohio River. Keep in mind that the rural character of the area means services and facilities are spread out across distances.

Archaeological evidence shows that people have lived in this area since around 8000 BCE, from the earliest hunter-gatherers through later settled cultures. This extended history of occupation makes the county an important window into how the Ohio River Valley was first inhabited.

Location: Illinois

Inception: February 8, 1843

Capital city: Metropolis

Shares border with: Pope County, Livingston County, McCracken County, Pulaski County, Johnson County

GPS coordinates: 37.22000,-88.71000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:31