E-MAIL    mailto:  BayCityNortons@Hotmail.com
Updated April 1, 2009
(Yes, the above E-mail address is brand new, as of 11-10-08)
Welcome
to
the Web Pages of the
Bay City General Store
and
Riverfront Lodging
on the
Ohio River in Southern Illinois
 

STORE OPENS
FOR THE SEASON
ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Hours:
Friday - 9 to 5
Saturday - 9 to 5
Sunday - 1:00 PM to 5

WHAT'S NEW IN THE STORE:
TONS OF ITEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION, BUT
WELL WORTH YOUR TIME TO COME AND SEE.
  • RIVERBOATS WILL NOT RUN IN 2009
    • An article in the Paducah Sun reports that the "last hope" for riverboat excursions just faded away, due to the economic conditions America is facing.

    As readers will see, we have had a unique vantage point here in Bay City to watch and appreciate the riverboats and excursions on the Ohio.  We have some select photos on this Web site for your purusal and appreciation, and now we will need to dig back into some 16 years of picture files to see if we can create a new segment of our Web site that will present additional pictures for your attention.

    'Tis a sad day.

    But in closing, it was a joy when someone - Donna or Don or our few neighbors hollered - "Hey, there's a paddlewheeler coming" and then everyone rushed out to hear the "swish" of these silent runners,  watched their progress up the River or down, while taking as many pictures as the cameras would allow.


     Donna and Don Norton - The Bay City General Store
    Hunter the Chesapeake is present as usual in the foreground
     

    ON OUR WEBSITE YOU WILL FIND:

    What about the Bay City General Store
    History of Bay City
    Lodging at the Store and the Cabin
    Smithland Pool
    U.S. Marshals
    Fishing, Hunting and other activities
    Region map and driving directions
    Contact Information
    Random Shots - Steve Vantreese, Les Winkler,
           Boats,     Fairy Rings



      The Queens pass by often - daytime and into the night - truly exciting!
     
     

    HISTORY OF BAY CITY

    Bay City was platted in 1859 but never incorporated – yet it became a key river and agricultural trading place, with many residents and lots of year-round hustle and bustle, until the 1970’s when cars and supermarkets spelled the decline of local commerce.  The population of Bay City now is 10 full-time residents, and 6 weekend residents.  Golconda is 11 miles to the north, and Metropolis, Brookport and Paducah are ½ hour to the south.  Easy access year round.

    The Bay City General Store was built in 1915.  It is a 2-story building with a single-story section at the south end.  The single-story section is now occupied by a private family.

    Since its platting in 1859, this little burg prospered with several stores, several enterprises, a few taverns, a church, and much activity during the week and a lot more on Saturdays, when area farmers and families would come to trade, purchase, sell, visit, flirt, compete, tell tall tales, hatch plots and pranks, and otherwise have a wonderful time in this truly viable little community.

    History buffs - there is one recorded Confederate incursion in Illinois --August 19, 1864 -- The incursion was executed by a detachment of Morgan's Raiders, which crossed from Kentucky into Illinois at about Shawneetown, and came south. This band helped itself to goods from the Bayfield Store, just a mile from Bay City at the place then called Bayfield - about where the DNR Davidson Boat Ramp is situated. The raiders wrote out a receipt for $2,500 , and proceeded south a few miles to the place known as "Old Maid's Crossing" - just above the current Smithland Dam, where they crossed back into Kentucky.  These facts have been documented by the University of West Virginia.

    Also, local legend has it that Frank James "hid out" in an old house next to Barren Creek, just a mile up from Bay City.

    The river boats stopped by regularly, including one in the 1920's that would come by in the morning and stop if hailed, and people and goods could be loaded.  If one wished to go to Paducah for the day, the boat would stop at Bay City on its evening trip back up river.

    The show boats also stopped after having sounded off with their calliopes, which drew folks from within sound.  Good times for all!

    Children attended area country schools, and some went off to higher education and new lives away from HOME, which is what Bay City was for a lot of people.

    Church services, baptisms in the River, and funerals - all part of the life cycle of Bay City.

    After WW II, many area persons left their homes for work in Peoria, Chicago, Kankakee, Quad Cities, and elsewhere.  In the 1980's, 90's and up to today, many of these folks are returning to live in Pope County. And they return to the Bay City Store - now that we have re-opened it - with lots of memories to share and friendships to renew.  It's a lot of fun just to sit and listen to the way things were.

    Lots could be said about "modern life".  One thing about Bay City and surrounds - you know when you are here that relationships are solid, there are lots of great folks, and that reality of what is good about America still lives with Bay City.

    Bay City is located adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest, on the Ohio River National Scenic Byway, which  is the road at the front of the Store and Lodging buildings.

     There were many businesses in this little town - farming, riverboat commerce and transport;  general merchandise for the agricultural and residential community for many miles around;  purchasers of produce and related commodities in the region.

    Bay City was also the cultural center in this part of Illinois:  Hundreds of young folks grew up knowing the Bay City Store as their touchstone to the world;  informal and formal social gatherings of all sorts occurred here;  religious activities including river baptismal were conducted here regularly;  and affairs of the heart bloomed, to be sure.

    The Bay City General Store was built in 1915 by Nathaniel Golightly, and in 1920, purchased by Clarence and Tressie Weeks.  "CR and Miz Tressie" kept this store open through floods, the Great Depression, the 1937 Great Flood, World War II and ensuing conflicts, and countless unimaginable trials and tribulations in order to serve the people of the Bay City area.

    The Store had it all - about everything necessary to live and raise families and survive. If CR did not have exactly what a person wanted his response was, "Get it for you Thursday" - which he did by, in later years, driving his 1946 International truck to Paducah for the stock he needed.

    CR was noted for his hand-cut bologna and cheese sandwiches --  hand cut, likely so thick as to constitute the complete meal!  Of course, most bought an RC Cola or Coke, and perhaps a Moon Pie for dessert.

    CR and Tressie had a dog named Skippy, who when given a Dixie Cup of ice cream, could grab it with one tooth and lick clean all the ice cream - much to the amusement of all.

    Denim overalls, dress materials, canned goods, barb and hog wire, nuts and bolts and nails, tools, good pocket knives, ammunition, watches, and CANDY for the kids in us all - these and countless other items for the folks around Bay City.  CR would purchase a stalk of bananas and hang it in the front window for all to see and buy.  The banana hanging rope is still there, waiting .........
     


    NEW BOOK ON
    AREA CEMETARIES

    Attn:  Geneology Buffs

    Ms. Carol Crisp, Golconda, is a noted expert and writer on cemetaries in Pope County -- over 200 and counting.

    Carol has just published Pope County Illinois Cemetaries, Township 14, Volume 1.  This book covers 48 cemetaries in the southern range of the County, with color pictures and informationof the people buried, along with dates of death, inscriptions, and some motifs.

    This book is available for $35.00 plus shipping by contacting Carol at treegirl55@hotmail.com

    Most persons do not realize the number of people who arrive here to "look up the folks".  Illinois was settled from the South - Kentucky, Tennessee, and so forth.
     

    BAY CITY TODAY

    Today, Bay City has 12 full time residents, and 10 part-time residents.

    The old Bay City General Store was not operating from 1975 to 2005, when Don and Donna bought the Store building, restored the Store and built the lodging spaces on the 2nd floor.

    Prior to 2006, Donna and Don offered lodging in their Cabin next door to their house. (see below)

        What is in the Store now?
    The Store is open Fridays 9 to 5,
    Saturdays 9 to 5, and Sundays from 1 to 5
    Winter schedule:  The Store is closed during the
    Winter months January thru March

    The Bay City General Store is like The Way It Was

    The Store has been completely restored, with all the original 1915 wood shelving intact!  We added new lights and countless electrical outlets -- CR only had one wall plug in the Store, used for the radio for Cardinals ball games, and with an extension cord to power the ice cream keeper.

    We have the original cash register and 10-foot checkout counter, complete with Miz Tressie's fabric measuring yardstick still attached, and another 10-foot counter original to the store.  With another original wood counter, the store fixtures are almost restored back as they were -- one showcase was missing, and we substituted a 10-foot old oak and glass unit from a nearby country store now closed.  An old electric powered reach-in soda cooler box and an original white icebox complete the store fixtures.  A 1913 brass Tiffany-designed National 444 cash register is at the front, with the original pot-bellied stove in place, and a huge Enterprise No. 12 coffee grinder to grind the coffee beans we sell from America's oldest coffee bean roaster company (We even have their Bay City Blend)!

    Refreshments -- cold sodas from the old cooler, Moon Pies, snacks, and now and then, special goodies too numerous to list.

    SPECIAL NOTE -- WE HAVE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW ICE MACHINE, AND HAVE ICE FOR SALE DURING STORE HOURS, and other times if you can catch us.

    Antiques of all sorts - small items, primitives, vintage furniture, tables and chairs and sewing machines and home utensils and pie safes, old books and photographs from decades gone by, fishing lures and gear -- and about everything else -- we scour auctions across the region to bring an interesting and varied collection to our customers.

    Toys - old and vintage;  children's books, old tools, old fishing items, broadaxes, several old wood tool boxes, and what not.

    Modern-made decoratives and collectibles, unique curiosities, such as a box of wooden fretwork from the 1880's with catalogs; thimbles from all over the U.S. and other countries, and cookbooks to suit every taste, a stack of old highway maps from gas stations gone away..

    Of course, when you would go into an old store, you would expect to find candies such as old-fashioned chocolate malted milk balls, .chocolate covered peanuts and raisins, RC Cola and Moon Pies, candy bars, roasted peanuts in the shell and candy buttons on white shiny paper, and on and on.

    But also, you will find vintage and antique lamps, hatboxes and hats, vintage jewelry and textiles, soft and comfortable old quilts and collectible tins of all shapes and sizes.

    Gifts for the garden, kitchen, bath, cabin and wherever you call home.  Lotions and potions to pamper and soothe and soy candles to scent the air.

    Entertain your family and guests with easy to make mixes from Rabbit Creek from muffins, soups, dips, smoothies, brownies and cheese balls.  They make great gifts for the hard to buy for person on everyone's list.

    Our coffee beans come from Gillies, the oldest coffee roaster in the United States.  Buy it by the pound or pot.  We carry everyone's favorites.  Our personal favorite is the Bay City Blend, which Gillies has been selling for some time!  Fits right in!

    DIETZ KEROSENE LANTERNS AND LAMPS

    Dietz was the "standard" just about everywhere - and now we are able to stock (or order for you)  these very high quality lanterns and lamps in about every color and size.  These are made from Dietz's original plans, and are made of excellent and durable metal.

    We can get just about any lantern or lamp for you

    And There's More in the Back Room!

    You will find the Bay City Store to be a homey place with many nooks and crannies filled with the unexpected treasures and gift items, and friendly folks who care to spend time with you, and make you welcome to The Way It Was.

    The Old Gas Pump - since 1925 there used to be a "pump-up" gasoline dispensing pump on the northeast corner of the Store.  It has been gone for a long time, but we were pleased to locate a 1925 Gilbert and Barker (self measuring gas pump" -- similar to the original American) -- and have installed it about in the same spot as the original. (Gilbert and Barker was owned by Standard Oil since 1912 -- now their pumps are world-wide and known as Gilbarco brand). We are indebted to GILBARCO for historical information on this and other pumps, and appreciated so much the kind assistance of  Mr. Mick Cronister, General Manager of SENECA Oil Equipment Company of Decatur, Illinois - without folks like these, life would be a lot more complicated.

    EAGLE BIRDY
    COMES TO
    BAY CITY
    When the hard maple died, it gave us the perfect opportunity to create an American Symbol visible to cars and boats along the River.
    Donna's little Grandaughter Sadie named the sculpture "Eagle Birdy"

    Well-known Wood Carver Art Boatright of Marion, Illinois carved our American Eagle for all to see and enjoy.  Art is a Master Carver and shows across the U.S.


    Transportation at
    Bay City

    The Joe Fowler picture above shows an old paddle wheel river boat.


    The modern paddlewheelers - the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, and the American Queen are frequent sights at Bay City.
     

    Bay City is also frequented by car buffs, horse trail riders, pedal bikers, motorcyclists, and hikers.

    Bay City was not always easy to get to in the old days, but the highway now is modern and open all year.



    Old Car Rally at the Store


    The "Official Store Pickup" - 1933 Diamond T


    Official Bay City Fire Engine - 1974 Custom Sutphen Pumper

    Fire Crew - Alex and Jopseph Greco, Chatham, Illinois


    New Sports Cars Visit also
     

    WE PURCHASE ANTIQUE ITEMS FOR THE STORE
    Call us with what you have to sell!
    Items from the home
    Old decoratives
    Old jewelry
    Tools
    Whatever else you wish to sell.
    Please call first - 618-683-4305
    IN THE STORE:

    A to Z:
    Accordion, artwork, accoutrements
    Bears, collector banks, brownies
    Books old and new
    Candy, chocolates, coffees of all sorts
    Dolls, dishes and dips
    Eggs ceramic
    Fishing tackle, old, flowers
    Flourspar samples and garden rocks
    Granitewear, Griswold
    Hatboxes and hats
    Ice cream, old ice box
    Jewelry, Jewel Tea
    Knitting needles
    Lures, lamps, lotions
    Moon Pies, muffins (and mixes), milk glass
    Needlework
    Organic mixes
    Pie safes,
    Old photos,
    primitives, peanuts
    Quilts
    Rocking chairs, roosters
    Soy candles, soups, signs
    Thimbles, tool boxes, tea cups
    Utensils
    Vases
    Wood stoves
    Tools
    Wreaths
    Yarns
    Zoo photography

    A word of caution:  if you see something you like, you better buy it, because the store contents change weekly.

    A special treat - take time to look over the old Bay City Store ledger books, from the 1905 - 1925 era, which show what people bought and the prices -- but which also reveal two things -- most of the business of the Store was on credit with bills usually paid once a year at harvest time, and that Mr. CR "carried" folks who could not have afforded to pay cash on the spot, but who also paid their bills!


    Sunrise at Bay City - this is the view from the Store balcony and the Cabin next door!
          "Norton's Old General Store"
    It filled the niche where the crossroads meet
    A hitching rail once stood beside the door
    An old pot-bellied stove to warm the feet
    A black coal hod to keep trash from the floor
    Here neighbors used to gather every night
    They sat on sturdy chairs with tilted legs.
    Here every man could feed his appetite
    For news and wait for sorting of the eggs.
    This was the meeting place of country men
    They waded mud or plowed thru winter snow
    To purchase from the stock they offered then of
    flour, nails, and bright-sprigged calico.
    The store was gone but I could recall the time
    When I could buy all Heaven for a dime.
    From and in memorium to Norton Walther's Old Country Store, Barry, Illinois
     

    LODGING
    AT THE
    BAY CITY STORE BUILDING
    We also have the Bay City Cabin right next door for your consideration.
    Please see below

    At the Store
        $55 / nite per room double occupancy

        $150 / night for all three rooms (by the same party)
                         We will try to accommodate special needs

        Our policy is that if one group rents 2 of the 3 rooms, we will not rent out the remaining room to anyone else during your stay with us.  Most often we can arrange exclusive rental.

              At the Store, a complimentary Continental breakfast of pastries, juices, coffee,
                                and so forth are provided without charge for our lodging guests at the Store.

    Boat charging $5 per night

    The north side of the Store building has been enhanced into the Patio Room, with tables and chairs for the use of lodgers and guests.  A new DVD/VCR/Satellite TV sits on the wall, and the 27-minute "crash scene" from U.S. Marshals can be played on the DVD.  We have a vintage repro record player/CD player. The Patio can accommodate 12-20 people, with advance notice.  The River can be seen through the front windows of the Patio and enjoyed sitting in the Patio breezeway..

     The Patio is heated in cold weather by an original 1920's wood cast iron kitchen stove, and cooled by the natural breezes through the trees above.  We have installed 6 inches of ceiling insulation and surfacing metal -- this really helps climate control.

    The Patio Room can be used by lodgers at the Store -- and persons in the Cabin -- upon request and arrangement.  And, of course, small group meetings and family reunions.
     


    RED HAT LADIES LUNCHEON
    at BAY CITY STORE

    We are glad to host other meetings and get-togethers by request.  Please call for details.
     
     

    LODGING
    AT THE
    BAY CITY CABIN

    JUST 60 FEET NORTH OF THE GENERAL STORE
    The Cabin has been offered to the public for 5 years, and has its share of regulars. (see
    http://www.baycitycabinontheohioriver.com/index.html

    for pictures).

    see http://www.baycitycabinontheohioriver.com/index.html

    A 6 - room cabin, metal roof - completely furnished and decorated, with two baths and 2 bedrooms, living room, complete eat-in kitchen, and a fabulous deck that provides super views of the Ohio River. The Cabin has a brand-new air conditioning and heating system -- a vast improvement from the window air conditioners and space heaters, THANKS TO DON KILPATRICK, Fairbury, Illinois - one of our lodgers.

    There are 2 showers and stools, and 3 vanity sinks.  Public water system.  Modest-size screen porch with ceiling fan at front.  Ceiling fans in living room and both bedrooms.    With the Hide-a-Bed in the living room, can sleep 6-8 persons! Bedroom ONE – 1 full bed, one twin bed.  Bedroom TWO – one full bed, one twin bed.  Large curved sectional sofa - kids think it makes great sleeping!

    The Cabin was built in about 1952, has 9-foot ceilings in living room and main bedroom, and vinyl floor tile in 3 rooms.  Propane grill on deck.

    Full kitchen and dining utensils, bed linens and towels provided.  TV with 2 local stations and a VCR, in the living room.

    The cabin is a cabin - it is comfortable and informal as a cabin should be.  It has fire and carbon monoxide alarms, and four doors for ventilation and exit.

    At the rear. there is a fish cleaning spot with water, a deer- hanging tree just out the back door (please bring your own block and tackle), and flat area for secure boat parking beside and in front of cabin with extension cord for battery charging.  $5.00 per night, please for one or two boats.

    There is a parking spot immediately below the Cabin which can be reserved for a small additional $5 charge in case additional parking is needed for boats and cars.  This lot has public water, security lights and electric outlets.  Sorry – no camper sewage disposal available.  Lot can hold three vehicles or boats.

    LODGING RATES
    AT THE
    BAY CITY CABIN:

    $75/ nite double occupancy - $11 per each additional person over 10  -  kids under 12 no charge

    We cannot accept one-night-only requests - it takes 3 hours to clean everything - whether it needs it or not.

    Rental of both the Store lodging and the Cabin is $195 / nite
    Sorry, no pets

    DINING ELSEWHERE

    SMITHLAND POOL
    The new Lock and Dam at Smithland was built late 70's and placed into service in about 1980.  The new dam had the impact of raising the pool about 20 feet, and widened the river accordingly.  This created a fantastic fishing paradise for several years - "you couldn't miss on the Smithland". (Of course, the fishing continues to be great).
    The roadbed of the County Highway at Bay City was raised considerably, and the practical effect was to create a modern and safe blacktop highway -- but at the same time, the increased elevation of the highway did block off some of the view of the near shore, much to the consternation of old-time residents who were accustomed to watching all that went on from their chairs at the Store!  But the view of the Ohio River remains fantastic.

    Sometime later the State boat ramp was built at Barren Creek, and is named for Mr. Russell C. Davidson, longtime community leader and outstanding farmer.



    Official Logo and Car Pass issued to "the locals"

    In 1997, Warner Bros. chose Bay City as the site for filming the airplane crash and rescue segment, and the beginning of the fugitive chase of the motion picture to be - U.S. Marshals, which starred Tommy Lee Jones and his U.S. Marshals team, co-starring Wesley Snipes, and included Robert Downey Jr.  The Bay City and Pope County portion of the movie is about 27 minutes!  This segment of the movie can be seen on our DVD - TV in the Patio Room.

    What a change -- from only 8 people, the community soon bustled with strange vehicles, lots of people, all sorts of props including the upside-down 727 aircraft brought in by barge.  The casting included countless local persons who posed as restaurant employees of Roy Willy's World's Best  Bar-B-Que, local and state law enforcement and and first responders, and so one -- an estimated 200++ people gathered on some days to complete this massive undertaking.

    The Store was "converted" to the movie set, with the single-story section being totally re-made into Roy Willy's World's Best Bar-B-Que country restaurant (all make-believe, of course).


    Bay City Store when used by Warner Bros. filming of U.S. Marshals,
    with Tommy Lee Jones, Summer 1997.  Made to look real old, of course.
    The movie came out in 1998, and is shown on TV many times each year - it remains as a fun film to watch (Copies can be ordered on Amazon and elsewhere).

    Note - a technical staff person with the Web hosting company 1and1.com was helping us in some of the details of this site preparation.  He saw the above pictures and was very excited to see that U.S. Marshals and Roy Willy's were what he was helping with -- and this fellow lives in the Philippines! This shows a surprising 'reach' of this movie!

    NOTE:
    10TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRTS
    ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
    THE PRICE IS $12.95
    Sizes are S/M/L
    Shirts are of high quality, done for us by Silkworm, Inc. of Murphysboro, Illinois - one of the best silkscreen printers in America.

    Please add $3.50 for mailing.

    THESE ARE EXCELLENT AS GIFTS AND TO COMMEMORATE THE 1997  FILMING IN POPE COUNTY OF THIS WELL-KNOWN MOVIE - still seen frequently each month on satellite and cable TV.

    There is a scrapbook of pictures to examine in the Bay City General Store, and more interesting artifacts and pictures to come as we get unpacked and finish decorating the Patio Room.


    WHAT TO DO WHILE AT BAY CITY

    Rest and read and enjoy the scenery
    Get to know your life mate and families again
    Bird watch from the Store balcony -- plenty to see!
    Visit scenic tourist sites nearby
    Visit the newly reopened Kincaid Mounds site and visitors facility
    (On the way to Brookport, Metropolis and Paducah)
    See new River History Museum in Paducah (great for kids!)
    See eagles along the creeks


    Eagles along the creek, just north of the Store and Cabin

    FISHING

    The Smithland Pool, almost 75 miles long, was formed when the new Locks and Dam were built at Smithland- about 6 miles below Bay City.  This new dam raised the river level about 20 feet and created a fishing and boating paradise.

    Bass, crappie, catfish, striped bass, bluegill - all excellent.  For those not well acquainted with river system fishing, there is a lot of territory over which fish are scattered.  Depth finders are almost a necessity.
        Visitors can also fish from the bank of the River
              Illinois license required -- www.dnr.il.gov for online purchase
        Bring your boat and fish the River  -
         Launch at Barren Creek Public Boat Ramp - just 1 mile upriver from Bay City Store

    Boating safety is a must - all boats must be well equipped with life preservers and correct lighting equipment, and motors in good repair.  Small fishing boats and canoes recommended only for the creeks (Barren and Bay creeks are right here, no need to traverse the River).
    MANY FISHING TOURNAMENTS ARE HELD ON THE SMITHLAND POOL IN SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL.  WE HAVE HAD TOURNAMENT FISHER PERSONS STAY WITH US FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, AND ALL WHO ARE COMPETING ARE MOST WELCOME.
    We have Hoss' Hawg Catfish Bait
    on hand at the Bay City Store.
    This bait really works well!
    This bait was invented by Larry "Hoss" Hulet of Galesburg, and is a real favorite all year around on the Smithland pool - works everywhere and is used in catfish tournaments around the U.S..

    Hoss' Hawg Bait
    1 pound containers     $4.95 + tax = $5.27
    5 pound pails               $ 23.49 + tax = $25.00
    30 pound buckets        $139.00 + tax = $148.00
     

    Barren Creek State Boat Launch (1 mile north of Store)
    Ramp is on Barren Creek - Bay Creek is just above top of photo...The Ohio River is the water to the right.


    Other activities:

  • Drive Drive the area roads, especially at dusk, and watch the deer!  Great for the kids.

    •  
     
     
     

    Hunting

    There are more than 270,000 acres in the Shawnee National Forest available for public hunting.  Deer hunting is big - and has been - in the Shawnee and Southern Illinois. Bow hunting is gaining converts each year, and Pope County ranks at the top of the list for numbers and hunter success ratio.
    Hunting Guide service available through Illinois Ohio River Valley Trophy Hunts, Jared Jackson, Prop.  618-672-4755
     
     

    Spring turkey is big in Pope County and the
    Shawnee Forest.  Plan to come!

    Photo of Gene Davidson, Bay City resident, 2006.
    He finally took off enough time to get his first turkey!!  Congratulations, Gene!

    Advance permits for deer and turkey are obtained through drawings, and all application forms and information are available at www.dnr.il.gov.  Hunting licenses may be ordered directly online.

    WHERE IS BAY CITY
    Bay City is on the very bank of the Ohio River, above Paducah Kentucky, and below Evansville, Indiana.
    Note that Bay City is one of the few places right on the River bank along the entire Illinois portion of the Ohio River Scenic Byway route
    Mile markers by boat on the Ohio River:
    Metropolis               944            Start Small ramp - no services
    Paducah                  935          + 9  Public launch at Floodwall - no gas
    Smithland Dam        919            + 16     No services
    Bay City           911.3      +  7.7 Bay City Store;  no gas
    Golconda                902            + 9.3  Golconda Public Marina   Bait,    gas,  supplies,  parts
    Rosiclaire                892            + 10     Ramp    No services
    Elizabethtown          889            + 3       Ramp    No services
    Cave-in-Rock         881            + 8       Ramp No services (Free ferry to Kentucky)
    Shawneetown         858              + 23        Ramp - no services                (Bridge to Kentucky)
    Metropolis to Golconda        at 55.7        Golconda to Shawneetown at  44

    Driving Directions

    From the North:
    • From Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Come South on Interstate 57 to Interstate 24  (south of Marion) - Exit RIGHT onto I-24
    • Come South on I-24, get off at 2nd Vienna/Golconda exit and turn left at the stop sign (across from McDonald’s) onto Illinois Route 146.
    • Drive east on Route 146 to Golconda (about 20 miles)
    • In Golconda, there is one 4-Way stop – the Post Office and the Library are on the right, the Dari-Barr on the left.
    • Turn right (south), and go up the hill and out of town on this County blacktop, about 9 miles, to the “Tee” stop sign.
    • Road signs point LEFT for Bay City and the Ohio River Scenic Byway and “Round Pond” Campground.
    • Go 2 miles across bridges, with creeks and ponds on both sides of the road.
    • Road will curve right up a short hill, with the Ohio River right beside the road.
    • At that point, SLOW DOWN and get ready to turn right into the Old General Store driveway, and the Bay City Cabin.


    From the South - Paducah and Interstate 24:

    Metropolis Exit.

    Turn right at top of ramp and go east about 5 miles to the north edge of Brookport (Route 45) and turn LEFT or east on the Unionville Blacktop.  Drive east out of Brookport..

    Go all the way east  - about 11 miles, through Unionville, and on about 6 miles to the Church and the Odd Fellows Lodge next door. TURN LEFT and go north about 13 miles – be careful of the hills and the curves and the deer!  When you come to the River, STOP in the General Store driveway.

    IN CLOSING:

    We have included a lot of information to try to inform you - the viewer - of the major features about Bay City, our Lodging, and the General Store.

    It is difficult to include everything someone might wish to know in preparation to visit Bay City.

    If you have questions, please call Donna or Don, or E-mail:

        House    618-683-4305
        Cell        618-525-4305
        E-mail     mailto:BayCityNortons@Hotmail.com

    RANDOM SHOTS:


    WILDLIFE AND OUTDOORS WRITINGS ABOUT THE OHIO RIVER AND KENTUCKY AREAS

    Mr. Steve Vantreese is the Outdoors Editor for the Paducah Sun, and publishes articles Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Mr. Vantreese is one of the very best writers we have encountered  and his works are pleasurable and informative.  We try to keep his stories and have them available in our Lodging for all to read.  You can access the Sun at www.paducahsun.com

    Les Winkler is the Outdoor Editor for the Southern Illinoisian, widely read and appreciated all over the region.  He has a wealth of insight and experience to share with his readers - check him out!  www.southernillinoisian.com


    Fairy Rings  These growths show up year after year unless disturbed, during times of heat and moisture.  Even if partly destroyed, the remaining plants keep on growing.  Here's a shot from the front yard in Bay City:



    Fairy Rings growing at Bay City


    CROWNLINE BOAT OWNERS GATHER FOR THEIR ANNUAL SPRING RUN ON THE OHIO RIVER AT BAY CITY

    About 43 Crownline boats gathered at Bay City before they sped off to lock through Smithland Dam

    SPRING TRACTOR SHOW IN GOLCONDA
        Saturday morning, April 4, 2009
    The Annual Spring Tractor Show is a very popular event, with tractors of all ages and types and brands, as well as related equipment and such.
    Outdoors on Main Street

    DEER FESTIVAL PARADE
    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
    1:00PM - Outdoors on Main Street

    Anything that runs and makes joyful sounds
    A big crowd pleaser - PLUS food stands!
     

    Annual Car Show

    The Annual Car Show date will be announced sometime soon

     
     
     
     

    More to be added as we go along!