On the banks of the Mississippi River, in Southern Illinois, you find a tiny river community known for the bridge over the river, a large prison, and one of America’s first cartoon heroes. Chester, Illinois is the birthplace of Popeye.

Actually the creator of Popeye — Elzie Segar — was born here. He developed the Thimble Theater comic strip that ran in newspapers all over the country. When Popeye first showed up in the strip back in 1929, he was an instant hit, just as the country was entering the depression. If ever America could use a hero it was then. What makes a trip to Chester so interesting is the fact Sezar modeled Popeye, Olive Oyl and Wimpy on real people he knew in Chester. You will find statues all over town, can visit the Popeye picnic each labor day, and year round can visit Spinach Can Collectibles, where you can get all your Popeye stories answered. It’s a store and a museum and in here, as all over Chester, they celebrate a small town with a big hero mascot.