Makanda

The original village of Makanda, first named "North Pass", began prospering in 1854 when Illinois Central Railroad built a station, two water tanks and a boarding house along Drury Creek, which still runs through the community.

Makanda is located in southern Illinois in Jackson County about 7 miles south of Carbondale, 3 miles east of Cedar Lake and 5 miles west of Little Grassy Lake. The town is situated within the Shawnee National Forest boundaries but is also within a short drive of Giant City State Park, Crab Orchard Lake & NWR, Lake of Egypt and Trail of Tears State Forest. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 396, a decrease of 8 since 1990.

Makanda Boardwalk

This block of storefronts, dating from the 1890's, has been saved and restored and currently provides shop space for local artists and craftspeople. Makanda also offers: hand made rugs and throws, hand made candles, local art from over 60 different artists, locally made fine silver and gold items, hand dipped ice cream, coffee, and tea, locally produced garden fountains made of brass and copper and the famous green house in a bag is produced right here. Downtown Makanda has 9 quaint shops to choose from.
 

Shopping In Makanda

Makanda Trading Company, owned and operated by Brian Beverly. Offers, Drums, flutes, silver jewelry, rocks-crystals-mineral specimens, tapestries, sarongs, incense, beads, Indian deity gods, Mexican paintings, wooden and stone boxes, etc. We carry items from China, Mexico, Peru, India, Bali, Guatemala, Africa, Turkey, Native American items and others.

Dave Dardis, Rainmaker Art Studio, On the Boardwalk/Downtown Makanda, Bronze and Copper Sculptures, Jewelry, Fountains and Little People, A beautiful Rock and Water Garden in the back yard, New-Rainmaker's Amazing Maze.

Southern Sisters Workshop, 514 Makanda Rd, 618-457-8508

Visions, 530 Makanda 618-549-5523

 

Around and About

Giant City State Park, Tucked into the Shawnee Hills in southern Illinois about 10 miles south-southeast of Carbondale in Jackson Count. 1500-acre Giant City State Park tells a geological tale 315 million years old. The rectangular joint pattern of the area's Pennsylvanian bedrock is the basis for the park's unusual rock formations including "Canyon Stairway" and "Devil's Stand Table" which, to early settlers, reportedly looked like the streets of a "giant city". In addition, "Old Stone Fort" was constructed by ancients up to 12,000 years ago.
 
Little Grassy Lake, 1200-acre lake with over 30 miles of shoreline was created in 1940. Several boat launches provide boat access to the lake. Boat rental and supplies are sold at the boat dock. Fishing from small boats is the preferred way to fish this lake.
 
Stone Creek Golf Club is without a doubt the most scenic golf course in Southern Illinois. The Southern tip of Illinois is filled with natural beauty. The rolling hills and the many bluffs in the area are a sight to see any time of the year. Stone Creek is a great course for golfers of all skill levels.
 
Southern Illinois Wine Trail, is well worth paying a visit. After years of hard work, Alto Vineyards, Owl Creek Vineyards, Pomona Winery, Winghill Vineyard and Winery and Von Jakob Vineyards, have joined forces to create the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail!