Bishop Hill,
Utopia on the Prairie
"Where Memories Are Made"
Bishop Hill History
&
Bishop Hill Business Directory
Bishop Hill Business Directory: Shops, Dining, Museums, and Lodging

All shops are open April - December, with Many shops open now January - March
as well!  Cabin Fever
?  Escape to Bishop Hill...excellent walking tours also available by calling
309-927-3899.  

Bring the family or friends for a few hours or a few days.  Bishop Hill, Illinois is "What Memories
Are Made Of"...whether you are making new memories or reliving "days of old".  Bishop Hill park
is the perfect spot for a family picnic with a play area for the kids and plenty of lush grass just
waiting to be reclined on.


Midwest Living Magazine names Bishop Hill as one of the best 100 towns to visit.













Accommodations:

Museums:

Dining:
  •    Bishop Hill Colony Bakery - open Wed. - Sun.:  Jim Campbell Family 103 S. Bishop
    Hill St. Telephone: 309-927-3042 (sweet tooth satisfaction...great coffee also).
  •   Colony Inn: Owners Kevin Yepsen, Todd Hagerty & Randal "Pup" Dennison.  Corner of
    Bishop Hill St. & Bjorkland St.  Telephone: 309-927-3335 (best pizza around)
  •   P. L. Johnson's Dining Room & Gift Shop - open daily: Owner Ann Stodgel 110 W.
    Bjorkland St. P. O. Box 105. Telephone: 309-927-3885 (mustn't miss their homemade pies).
  •   The Filling Station - open daily with dinner served 5-8p.m. on Fridays only and
    breakfast served Saturday & Sunday morn from 7:30 - 10a.m.: 303 N. Bishop Hill St. P.O.
    Box 6 Telephone: 309-927-3355 (the best burgers in town).
  •   The Red Oak Luncheonbord - open Tuesday - Sunday: Owner Trisha Rux 106
    Bishop Hill Street. Telephone: 309-927-3539 (everything made from scratch...excellent
    casseroles).

Shopping and Local Artisans - many shops open daily 10-5p.m.:
Telephone: 309-927-3000
Telephone: 309-927-3818
  •    Summer Cottage: Owner Arlene Rigg - 507 N. Bishop Hill St. (next to Outsider
    Gallery). Telephone: 309-927-3359
  •    True Creations:Owner Roxi Schatterman  - 204 Johnson Street Telephone: 309-269-
    2733
  •    The Prairie Arts Center: 203 N. Bishop Hill St. Located in the Colony Blacksmith
    Shop.  Telephone: 309-927-3008
  •    The Red Oak Swedish Comfort Foods & Pie Co.: Owner Trisha Rux - 106 Bishop
    Hill Street.  Telephone: 309-927-3539
  •    The Village Smithy - open daily: Owner Marilyn Nelson - 309 North Bishop Hill Street
    P. O. Box 114.  Telephone: 309-927-3851
  •    Windy Corner Farm: Owner Beth Magnuson - 508 W. Main St. P. O. Box 185.  
    Telephone: 309-927-3033
  •    VangHall Gallery: 203 N. Bishop Hill St. Located on the 2nd. floor of the Colony
    Blacksmith Shop.  Telephone: 309-927-3008

Business wanting to reciprocally link business websites or wish to request their business
listing removed, please contact
Chuck Linscott.
Shop
Shown
Here:
Bishop
Hill
Fine
Arts.
Bishop Hill Fine Arts
"Day Trippin" or Want
to Set Up a Tour/Fine
Arts Class:

Check out these websites:

Bishop Hill Fine Arts:

www.bishophillfinearts.com
for fine arts class instruction and
overall info regarding all your
shopping, dining, and
accommodation need, as well as
viewing the current Calendar of
Events taking place throughout
the year in Bishop Hill.

The Bishop Hill Arts
Council:
 
www.bishophillartscouncil.com  
to schedule a group or individual
tour, as well as "enrolling" your
school students in a day trip to
take part in the "Living History"
program.  

To view a variety of info
regarding Bishop Hill, click on

www.
bishophill.com

Relocation Information:
Thinking of moving to Bishop
Hill or starting or moving a
business, click here.

Website Updated on: April
05, 2010
History of Bishop Hill, Illinois:
Religious dissident immigrants from Sweden founded the communal society of Bishop Hill in 1846.
 The charismatic Erik Jansson led the society spiritually and temporarily until 1850 when he was
murdered.

By 1854, a total of 1200 followers of all ages and backgrounds had arrived at Bishop Hill. Over
coming many hardships and trials, 12000 acres of virgin land was improved for agricultural
purposes.  Various crops including flax, broom corn, and grain were grown.  Orchards were also
planted and furniture was manufactured.  Bishop Hill quickly became known as one of the largest
manufacturers of wagons and buggys.  

In 1861, dissatisfaction and disillusionment in the breakup of the society and the land was divided
among its members.  Many of the homes and building still are owned by family members of
original immigrants to Bishop Hill.