The Meme
The two major solar eclipses visible in the United States during the 21st century—the 2017 Great American Eclipse (August 21, 2017) and the upcoming 2024 Eclipse (April 8, 2024)—cross paths at a specific region in southern Illinois, near the town of Carbondale. This area has gained the nickname “The Eclipse Crossroads of America.”
Key Details:
Exact Location: The point of intersection is near Makanda, Illinois, a small village close to Carbondale. The region is part of the Shawnee National Forest.
2017 Eclipse Path: Ran from Oregon to South Carolina, with totality covering much of the Midwest, including Carbondale.
2024 Eclipse Path: Will travel from Texas to Maine, intersecting with the 2017 path in Illinois.
This rare overlap has made Carbondale a prime spot for eclipse enthusiasts, as it provides the opportunity to witness total solar eclipses within a span of just seven years—an extraordinarily rare event!
Carbondale, Illinois, and the surrounding Shawnee National Forest have a long history of intriguing, mysterious, and downright strange events. Here are some of the strangest:
1. The Big Muddy Monster (1973)
Carbondale became the site of a bizarre cryptid sighting when locals reported seeing a massive, hairy, Bigfoot-like creature covered in mud near the Big Muddy River. Police received multiple reports, and searches were conducted, but the “Big Muddy Monster” was never found. The story became local legend, spawning numerous investigations and continued interest among cryptid enthusiasts.
2. The UFO in the Pond (1977)
In 1977, in Carbondale’s police logs, there was a report of a “UFO crash” in a local pond. Witnesses claimed to see a glowing object descend and submerge itself in the water. When authorities searched the pond, they found nothing conclusive, though some suspected a prank involving an old railroad lantern. To this day, it’s one of the more peculiar UFO stories tied to the town.
3. The Curse of the Shawnee Forest
Local legends suggest parts of the Shawnee National Forest are cursed due to conflicts with Native American tribes, particularly during the forced removal of the Shawnee people. Strange phenomena reported in the forest include disembodied voices, sudden changes in weather, and eerie sightings of shadowy figures.
4. The Great Solar Eclipse Crossroads
Carbondale’s position as the “Eclipse Crossroads of America” has attracted unusual attention in recent years. In addition to skywatchers and scientists, some groups with esoteric beliefs have flocked to the area, seeing it as a location of cosmic significance. This has led to unusual gatherings and rituals in the region.
5. The Legend of Herod’s Tomb
Deep within the Shawnee National Forest lies Herod, a near-ghost town where local lore tells of mysterious caves said to contain buried treasures or graves belonging to Native American leaders or Civil War outlaws. Explorers have reported strange sounds, lights, and the feeling of being watched while searching for these supposed relics.
These stories, combining natural beauty and mysterious happenings, have made Carbondale and Shawnee National Forest a magnet for the curious and adventurous.
Carbondale and its similarly named counterparts (e.g., Carbinville or Carbontown) have appeared occasionally in popular culture, often as fictionalized versions or settings inspired by the real Carbondale. Here are a few examples and connections:
1. Carbondale in Real-Life Inspired Pop Culture:
“The Assassination Bureau” (Film, 1969): Though not directly set in Carbondale, fictional European villages and towns in period films often evoke the aesthetic of such midwestern towns.
Music and Bands: Carbondale has been a hub for underground music scenes, influencing regional artists in the folk, blues, and punk genres. It’s sometimes name-dropped in song lyrics or band lore.
2. Fictional Towns Similar to Carbondale:
While no major movies or shows specifically revolve around Carbondale, fictional small towns like Carbon Hill, Carbonville, or similarly named places often serve as allusions to small Midwestern towns.
“Simpsons Springfield and Escarpment-focused Serio~ske” called Carbondale and similarly named towns, such as “Carbinville” or “Carbontown,” have made appearances or inspired settings in pop culture. Here are some examples and thematic connections:
1. Carbondale’s Real-Life Influence in Popular Culture:
Music References: Carbondale has a rich indie music scene that occasionally gets referenced in underground music or regional art. For example, it’s mentioned in the song “Carbondale” by Jason Isbell, which captures a sense of small-town Americana.
Comedians and Writers: Southern Illinois University (SIU), based in Carbondale, has produced several notable figures in entertainment, such as actor Jim Belushi, whose work often reflects Midwest sensibilities.
2. Fictionalized or Similar Towns in Media:
Carbontown or Carbonville Tropes: Small-town America settings with names like “Carbonville” often evoke the industrial past and Midwest atmosphere of towns like Carbondale. These fictional towns appear in stories like:
“Parks and Recreation”: The fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, reflects similar small-town quirks that might be inspired by Midwest towns.
“Supernatural”: The show’s constant road-tripping often stops in small, generic Midwest towns with names echoing Carbondale’s simplicity.
3. Fictional Carbondales:
“The Carboniferous Towns” Trope: Many fantasy or dystopian works name towns based on their coal or industrial roots. A “Carbondale” could fit perfectly into such stories, emphasizing the earthiness or historical reliance on mining and railroads.
Westerns and Mysteries: Settings in rural towns often carry names like Carbondale to evoke rugged simplicity. These might be seen in shows like “Longmire” or vintage Western films.
Carbondale and its imagined versions remain symbolic of small-town life, with ties to regional culture, nature, and Americana narratives.