Over the weekend, we explored new territory per a recommendation of a friend (thank you, Justin). If looking for a fun adventure within an hour of St. Louis, I recommend taking the free Brussels ferry ride from Alton over to the quaint town of Brussels, Illinois...
The first known settler came to Brussels in 1822, while the town boundaries were actually created in 1876...
Brussels is known as the "village nestled between rivers", as it sits where the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers flow together. It is also the home to the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge which is noted for its high population of bald eagles.The town's most popular destination, however, is the Wittmond Hotel...
In 1847, Conrad Wittmond opened the Wittmond Trading Post... 
It continues to be the oldest continuously operated business in the village of Brussels...
These days, it is a restaurant and hotel and notoriously known for the family style lunch...
The meal starts with a relish tray just like Grandma used to make, complete with corn relish, spiced apples, apple sauce, pickled beets, rolls, orange marmalade, soup, and a homemade sausage that my husband raved over. All served in antique relish trays atop a vintage lace tablecloth...
The next course...
The grand finale was their famous Pecan Cobbler...
In 1847, Conrad Wittmond opened the Wittmond Trading Post... It continues to be the oldest continuously operated business in the village of Brussels...
These days, it is a restaurant and hotel and notoriously known for the family style lunch...
The meal starts with a relish tray just like Grandma used to make, complete with corn relish, spiced apples, apple sauce, pickled beets, rolls, orange marmalade, soup, and a homemade sausage that my husband raved over. All served in antique relish trays atop a vintage lace tablecloth...
The next course...
The grand finale was their famous Pecan Cobbler...Needless to say, the Wittmond is NOT the place to dine if watching calories?! That being said, an interesting experience filled with guilty pleasures and a lot of history. For a family of four...
Pictures of Conrad Wittmond and his family still adorn the walls...
The kids had a somewhat difficult time concentrating on their meal, however, with this Wittmond looking on...
And this one...
The entire Wittmond Family...
The hotel's saloon is still open to patrons...
The Trading Post is still open as well, though it is more of an antique shop now...
My 10 year old checking out the antique coins and collectibles...
There is not much to Brussels, as it is a very small and rural community. The Wittmond is the main attraction, however, there are a few interesting buildings such as the Village Hall that caught our eye...
Pictures of Conrad Wittmond and his family still adorn the walls...
The kids had a somewhat difficult time concentrating on their meal, however, with this Wittmond looking on...
And this one...
The entire Wittmond Family...The hotel's saloon is still open to patrons...
The Trading Post is still open as well, though it is more of an antique shop now...
My 10 year old checking out the antique coins and collectibles...There is not much to Brussels, as it is a very small and rural community. The Wittmond is the main attraction, however, there are a few interesting buildings such as the Village Hall that caught our eye... My kids particularly enjoyed the original town jail which still stands today, smack in the middle of the town. The history sheet indicates that the main purpose of the jail was to serve as a place to "sober up" the rowdy townies overnight...
It apparently held its last prisoner in the mid-1950's, at least until last weekend... =)
Fun adventure... the Nenonens will return! I highly recommend a trip to Brussels...
