Directory of Sparta Resources

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Sparta, with a population approximately 6,400 people, is located in Randolph County in southwestern Illinois.

One of Sparta's earliest claims to fame was in 1966, when it served as the filming location for the movie In the Heat of the Night, starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Although the movie was set in Mississippi, Sparta was chosen because racial relations were not as tense as they were in the south. The town's name in the movie was changed to Sparta so that the local signs could be used.

Sparta is also the location of the Sparta Blues Fest, a two-day music festival held every summer at the Sparta fairgraounds. Several blues bands perform over the two days.

In 2006, construction was completed in Sparta on the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, a shooting and camping facility operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The WSRC hosts several shooting competitions, including the Amateur Trapshooting Association's Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. This is the topmost level of trapshooting competitions, and draws about 15,000 competitors each year.

Subcategories

• Business and Economy
• Education
• Real Estate
• Travel and Tourism

Resources in This Category

• First United Methodist Church

  http://www.spartafumc.org/
  Contains activities, photos, newsletter, ministries, calendar and contact info.

• Misselhorn Art Gallery

  http://www.misselhorngallery.com/
  Sketches and prints by Roscoe Misselhorn. Other exhibits include memorabilia from the 1966 filming of "In the Heat of the Night" in Sparta. Features exhibit and artist information, images, and virtual tour.

• Sparta Community Hospital

  http://www.spartahospital.com/
  Features locations, clinics and other facilities, spcialized patient services, employment opportunities, and baby pictures.

• Sparta First Assembly of God

  http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/sag/index1024a.html
  Service schedule and ministry information.

• Sparta Public Library

  http://www.spartapubliclibrary.com/
  Information about programs, services, and collections, and access to online e-books. Includes hours and contact information.

• World Shooting & Recreational Complex

  http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/wsrc/
  Public shooting and camping facility. Hosts competitions including the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. Includes events, hours, fees, and map.

Related Categories

• Home > Regional > North America > United States > Illinois > Counties > Randolph

 

Home > Regional > North America > United States > Illinois > Localities > S > Sparta

 

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