Massac county was created in 1843 from parts of Pope County. It is located at the southern tip of Illinois on the banks of the Ohio River. Outdoor lovers will enjoy the Shawnee National Forest which spills across the county's eastern line.
The county is named after Fort Massac, a variation of a French surname, Massiac. Fort Massac State Park, southeast of Metropolis (the county seat), is Illinois' oldest state park. It features a replica of the original fort which was built in 1794.
Metropolis is the "Home of Superman" and a festival celebrating the cartoon/TV series/cinematic hero is held every year in the first part of June.
The county population on July 1, 1999, was 15,414, an increase of 662 over the 1990 census.
For information on county government, contact the National Association of Counties Web site.
Additional information is available at these pages:
