Ed Baumgarten Photography Blog
Ed Baumgarten Photography Blog
Posted September 9th, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
We’re……Exploring Illinois!
Posted September 27th, 2011 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
We’ve started a new site, exploringillinois.com, featuring the people, places and things that make downstate Illinois such a great place to live, work and visit. Be sure to check out the site, and if you’d be so kind, give us a ‘Like’ on Facebook.
Rock Cave Nature Preserve – Unique in Central Illinois
Posted August 6th, 2011 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
Nestled in a canyon, north of I-70 in Central Illinois is wonderful piece of nature, little known even to the locals. Rock Cave Nature Preserve is a Illinois Department of Resources preserve, 6 miles north of Altamont, exit 82 of I-70, along Rt128.
The sandstone cliffs in this canyon, which are found quite regularly in the far southern and northern areas of Illinois, are rarely seen in the central region. The stream which meanders through the bottom of this canyon hardly seems capable of having cut these mammoth rock faces but is a testament to what water, and a few thousand years can do. The history of the area starts around 1850, when it was used as a social gathering place and a popular picnic spot for the locals. In the early 1900′s some pick and shovel coal mining occurred here and evidence of the mining is rumored to still be visible near the confluence of the streams.
In 1968 a group of concerned citizens formed a preservation committee to help maintain the area and eventually the site was gifted to the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources who has jurisdiction over it to this day.
It is a DNR preserve, not a park and as such, there are no amenities of any kind. I would rate the hike as moderate to difficult. There is no marked trail, however it appears the locals keep it ‘tromped down’ enough to see a discernible path. Traveling the length of the canyon requires several stream fordings and a few steep embankments. I did tall shaft rubber hunting boots, but trail shoes and gaiters would do it if you don’t mind wet feet. There is quite a bit of wood nettle and as such I advise calf protection of some sort. I did about a mile up the stream to a large confluence with another stream and was out of time and started my return, I will be going back……especially in the fall/winter.
There’s a small, barely marked parking area at the trail head, next to a small gravel parking area (on the East side of Rt128). To reach the trail head, go south on Rt 128 from Beecher City 5.6 miles, or north from Altamont on Rt128 about 6 miles. The lat lon or GPS coordinates are: 39.1064322, -88.8033924
Deer season in Central Illinois
Posted November 13th, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
Late fall is deer season in Central Illinois, and rest assured, the camera is always up and ready when moving through the countryside. One evening, in a 30 minute drive I racked up 100 deer images. Being in rut, the deer aren’t at their most clear of mind, and so, tend to be a little more tolerant of humans.
At the end of this particular day (sun dropping fast) I happened across a doe walking the edge of the woods, very patiently pacing back and forth as if looking for a good place to jump in. I shot many, many still of her, and finally got bored with the look and switched the D3s over to video. The video is too big for this site, but you can find it on my flickr stream here:
…..in my beautiful balloon
Posted October 5th, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
The air above Lake Shelbyville will be filled with many beautiful balloons this weekend, (October 8th-10th) as the Touchstone Energy Ballon Fest once again comes to town. Several flights are planned on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a Basket Burn and Balloon Glow planned for Saturday evening at dusk.
To see the colorful giants take to the air with only the occasional rumble from the flames breaking the silence is something everyone should see and is a rare treat in downstate Illinois, and takes place in conjunction with the city of Shelbyville’s annual fall festival, Scarecrow Daze. 
Games for the kids (of all ages of course), food of every description, parades and rides abound, all with an Autumn flair. There’s even a scarecrow building contest……
What a great weekend to visit Central Illinois, it’s rural charms and to enjoy the brisk Autumn air!
-Ed Baumgarten
A Forest Preserve with alot more than forest…..
Posted October 2nd, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
North of I-74 near the town of Mahomet sits Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. I had set off for this park early on a Saturday morning to feed my need of covered bridge images (those who’ve read some of my other posts know I have an affinity for them). I had heard there was a covered bridge there that had been constructed in 1965, patterned off of the Pepperel Bridge in Boston, and that sounded like something I’d certainly have to shoot.
Situated just 15 minutes or so west of Champaign, Lake of the Woods is a rambling complex over 900 acres. As mentioned I had come to shoot the covered bridge and found out that this forest preserve had a lot more than a forest. Upon arriving at the west gate we discovered a wonderfully kept and well rounded collection of early American artifacts in the Early American Museum.
Describing every aspect of life in early Illinois from living with the Indians to getting the crops harvested, there’s not a bit of early American life that’s missed. Stunning examples of antique furniture, tools and explanations of techniques inhabit every square inch of this beautiful piece of architecture. There’s also a great educational / play area for the kids.
Behind the museum is the stunning Botanical Garden. A photographers dream, this sprawling complex is alive with every manor of ornamental flower, shrub and tree. In the center is a picture perfect oriental influenced bridge and lily pond, backed by a beautiful waterfall. What a gem! The area is a popular spot for weddings and can be rented for such an occasion.
Moving up the road, we came to the Covered Bridge that I’d come to photograph.
This structure was built when the original 80 acre tract of land was acquired to join the two sections of the park. It’s 140 foot span is open to pedestrian and motor traffic and was renovated in 1996. A great example of a more modern covered bridge constructed with classic early American architectural style!
Venturing over the bridge one finds an award winning regulation 18 hole golf course and extensive camping, fishing and day use areas. There are kayaks and rowboats for rent on the lake, a 3 mile bike/running path and woodland trails. A six story bell tower caps the high point of the park with a carillon chiming out a happy tune now and again.
I’d come to shoot a bridge and found so much more at this park….what a great place to spend a day with the family, with so much to do one could visit again and again……..
-Ed Baumgarten
Corvettes to Crowd into Central Illinois
Posted October 2nd, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
Since 1994, on the third weekend in September, thousands of Corvettes and their enthusiastic owners descend on the city of Effingham. Mid America Motorworks hosts Corvette Funfest every year, and it is one of the biggest annual Corvette get-togethers in the world.
Mike Yager founded Mid America Motorworks in 1974 as a supplier of parts and accessories for the Corvette brand, selling his wares out of the trunk of his car. Today, the company mails out millions of catalogs and hosts thousands of visitors on its websites. At the annual show, there are vendors displaying and even installing their wares for customers, burnout contests, contests for the loudest exhaust, fashion shows, concerts, celebrity autograph sessions….and of course, thousands upon thousands of Corvettes.
This year the company also hosts the band ‘The Guess Who’ at a Saturday night concert. The event runs September 17th-19th. There is a small parking fee for Corvettes entering the show, see the company’s website for details.
-Ed Baumgarten
The Great Pumpkin Patch – Autumn in Amish Country
Posted October 2nd, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
The town of Arthur and it’s surrounding area is known as Amish Country in Illinois…..but in the fall, it’s known as Pumpkin Patch country. Every autumn for the past 22 years, the Condill family have opened their farm, and their hearts to thousands of children (of all ages). The Great Pumpkin Patch sits on the prairie just a couple miles south of the town of Arthur.
Open from September 15 through October 31 every year, the farm touts over 300 types of pumpkins, squash and gourds to be enjoyed, visually as well as tasted. A myriad of baked goods are available in the onsite bakery and all of the pumpkins and their cousins, are availalbe for sale for recipes or decorating. There’s a huge straw maze, plenty of displays for photo opportunities and some of the best fall color in Central Illinois. Tucked into the center of the complex is an authentic One Room School House, complete with period furniture and decoration.
Row after row of ‘little red wagons’ await visitors to assist in bringing your pumpkins to the checkout area, and just being in the midst of all the happy faces pulling their bright orange treasures around the property will warm anyone’s heart on a chilly fall day!
-Ed Baumgarten
The CH Moore Homestead in Clinton, IL
Posted September 8th, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
Right along Rt-51 on the north side of Clinton is a wonderfully preserved piece of Illinois history, with ties to President Lincoln. Completed in 1867 as the private residence of John Bishop, a local lumber merchant, the homestead was sold to C.H. Moore in 1880 after the death of the Bishop’s youngest daughter.
Mr. Moore was a lawyer and land purveyor and made the acquaintance of another young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. The two became friends, assisting each other on some cases, and opposing on others….remaining friends throughout. Mr. Moore developed the estate in Clinton throughout the years, including an extensive library in an addition on the west side of the mansion. This library was, at the time, one of the most extensive private libraries outside of Chicago (and is still quite impressive!). The manor house itself serves as the Dewitt County Museum and maintains a wonderful museum of late 19th and early 20th century life. The many rooms are full of furniture and decoration appropriate for the era. The entry way is graced by a wonderful winding staircase and very ornate carpet and wallpaper. 
The Moore’s original square Steinway grand piano and a full size harp are the center pieces of the music room.Upstairs are the bedrooms, including the masters, and also the children’s room. The children’s room contains a wonderful, authentic childs four post bed, and is overseen by a pastel portrait of the Butler families only child who was lost at the age of two, Mary Elizabeth. Among the several rooms in on the ground level are the dining, parlor, music, kitchen and what is obviously the showpiece room of the house, the library. This two story room contains very unique rotary bookcases in two corners, with glass fronted barrister-like bookcases along the opposite wall. The upper gallery is also lined with bookcases andan iron railing lines the portal ceiling between the two stories. The library also contains many items one might find in a well appointed Victorian library, including an Edison cylinder phonograph and a wonderful, nautical themed kaleidoscope. Mr. Moore’s original hand made secretary desk anchors the room, with a pair of glasses sitting on the desktop, as if awaiting the masters return.
The basement of the manor, which reveals the houses natural brick walls, has been set up display case style and features a very complete collection of World War One weaponry and Indian artifacts. A central wall displays antique photos of the mansion through the years, as well as local landmarks. There’s also a room depicting life in an early log cabin and another with revolving collections, containing antique tin-toys and pedal cars on our visit.
Stepping outside, one is treated to various views of the manor house, which is of the Second Empire style of architecture with Italianate ques. The mansard roof is replete with curved top dormers and all of the corbels and brackets that make this style of architecture so beautiful are intact and in good order on this very well appointed house.
The front area of the grounds are flanked by a wonderful cast ironwork fence and gardens. The carriage house stands just across the way from the manor house and contains several antique carriages, displayed in a warm rustic setting.
Many festivals and events are held on the grounds, with the Pork and Apple festival (September 25-26 this year) being the highlight. Visit the C.H. Moore Homesteads website for hours and more information. The homestead was placed on the National Register in 1978.
Located in view of Rt-51 between Decatur and Bloomington, this wonderful and well maintained site is a jewel in the city of Clinton, and a wonderful location to enjoy some history, and view the ornate wonders of Victorian life in early Central Illinois.
-Ed Baumgarten
Treasure in Litchfield….
Posted September 8th, 2010 by edbaumgarten with No Comments
On old Route 66 in Litchfield Illinois is a treasure. Thousands have found it, from those around the block to those half a world away. The Ariston Cafe has stood at it’s present location since 1935. It’s believed to be one of, if not THE, oldest cafe on historic Route 66. Pete Adam founded the restaurant. In 1966 his son Nick and family took over, and in 2004, Nicks son Paul joined the team. Three generations of the Adam’s have cherished and cared for this classic piece of American Heritage…and it shows.
The exterior of the building, with it’s multicolored, round topped brick facade has been a welcoming site for travelers for decades longing for a hot meal and a chance to climb out from behind the wheel and into a booth for some classic dining.
Stepping through the front door is a step back into time. The classic wooden booths with their attached coat hangers and polished finish will instantly transport you to simpler times, and you can almost see the fedoras that would most certainly have found a temporary perch there.
A counter replete with bar stools awaits those who wish a quick bite. Near the door is an original menu from 1938 that was presented to owner Nick by loyal local patron. Imagine a Porterhouse steak for 85 cents in today’s world!
The menu at the Ariston promises something for everyone from steaks and seafood to patty melts and reubens (visit their website for a great Baklava recipe).
Take the drive to Litchfield and stop off at the Ariston Cafe for some classic dining at a classic American cafe!
