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Alton, Illinois: The Piasa Bird

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

The Piasa Bird

Address:
Hwy 100, Alton, IL
Directions:
On Hwy 100, one mile north of Alton, on the inland side of The Great River Road.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
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Piasa Bird.

The Piasa Bird

The human-hungry monster bird of Illini tribal lore has been preserved in a suitably monster-sized painting on a cliff face. With its own parking lot.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [03/31/2013]

Visitor Tips and News About The Piasa Bird

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Piasa Bird seen from parking lot.

The Piasa Bird

The legendary Piasa Bird painted on the side of a river bluff is still looking good... and mean... and hungry! Helpful hint: do your research ahead of time. The sandblasted monument inscription is hard to read in an asphalt parking lot with a 95 degree sun beating down on you.

[Mike Gassmann, 09/10/2019]

Piasa bird.

Legend of the Piasa Bird

We finally got up to take a photo of the new piasa bird. The old steel one was removed and local artists invited to help paint the new one. Sited on the cliffs between two entrances to the old slate quarry, the new rendition is very impressive.

[Elaine Lintzenich, 07/26/1999]

October 2005: A new "Piasa Park" was completed and dedicated at the base of the painting.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Ruins of Civil War Military PrisonRuins of Civil War Military Prison, Alton, IL - < 1 mi.
Miles Davis StatueMiles Davis Statue, Alton, IL - < 1 mi.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate StatuesLincoln-Douglas Debate Statues, Alton, IL - < 1 mi.
In the region:
World's Largest Amoco Sign, St. Louis, MO - 19 mi.

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