The people of Randolph County want you to know that this is “Where Illinois Began.” It’s their motto, because of the region’s role in the settlement of the state. Archaeological evidence reveals that around 8000 B.C., the limestone bluff today known as the Modoc Rock Shelter once provided refuge for prehistoric hunters, and later for early Indian tribes in the area.

The county was named for Edmund Randolph, a noted Revolutionary War soldier and statesman, U.S. attorney general and former Governor of Virginia. In fact, the area that is now Randolph County was once part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia eventually ceded its frontier holdings to the Continental Congress which, in 1787, established the Northwest Territory. In 1790, Ohio Governor Arthur St. Clair proclaimed what is now downstate Illinois to be called St. Clair County. On October 5, 1795, roughly the southern half of then St. Clair County became Randolph County.

The population of the largely agricultural Randolph County is about 34,000, and the county seat is Chester. Other cities in Randolph County include Ellis Grove, Percy, Red Bud, Steeleville and Walsh. Chester is the birthplace of Elzie Segar, the creator of the cartoon character “Popeye, the Sailor Man.” A statue stands next to the Chester Bridge as a tribute. In addition, the annual “Popeye Picnic” is held the weekend following Labor Day.

Randolph County is home to one of the state’s largest parks. Randolph State Park provides 1,101 acres of fishing, hiking, picnicking, boating, hunting and camping opportunities, all just five miles northeast of Chester.