Randolph County

Randolph County is an administrative region in southern Illinois that stretches along the Mississippi River with a mix of hills, forests, and farmland spread across it. Three main highways run through the area and connect various towns and outdoor recreation spaces.

This region was founded in 1795 and ranks among Illinois's earliest administrative divisions, named after Edmund Randolph, a governor of Virginia. A dramatic shift came in 1881 when the Mississippi River changed course and separated the island of Kaskaskia from the mainland.

The Randolph County Museum in Chester displays local crafts and objects that reflect how people lived in earlier times. Visitors can see how communities here organized their daily lives and worked the land across generations.

The best time to explore is during warmer months when roads and pathways are easiest to navigate. Visitors should allow time for driving between towns, as the landscape is naturally spread out across the county.

The Mississippi River's shift in 1881 was so dramatic that Kaskaskia became separated from the mainland, forcing residents to relocate their entire cemetery to higher ground. This extraordinary event reveals the river's unpredictable power and its lasting impact on communities living along its banks.

Location: Illinois

Inception: October 5, 1795

Capital city: Chester

Shares border with: St. Clair County, Perry County, Monroe County, Washington County, Jackson County, Ste. Genevieve County

Website: http://randolphco.org

GPS coordinates: 38.05000,-89.82000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:23