take advantage of the two rivers with boating, canoeing and parasailing activities. There are two river ferries in the Grafton area that provide transportation to St. Charles County, Missouri and Calhoun County. Five miles west of Grafton is Pere Marquette State Park, which is Illinois' largest and most popular state park. Grafton experienced modest economic growth from 2000-2010, including some new housing and restaurants, the Grafton Elementary School, the Grafton Harbor marina, and a lighthouse located along the Mississippi River. Culture National Register of Historic Places Grafton has seven places and sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Grafton Historic District, Grafton Bank, the John and Amelia McClintock House, Ruebel Hotel, the Slaten-LaMarsh House, and the Paris Mason Building were all added in 1994. The Charles Brainerd House was added to the Register in 1998. Government Grafton uses a city council form of government and consists of a mayor and six aldermen from three wards. The city's current mayor is Michael Morrow. Education Public schools Grafton is served by the public K-12 Jersey Community Unit School District 100. District schools in Grafton include Grafton Elementary School. Colleges and universities Nearby colleges and universities include Principia College, in Elsah, and Lewis and Clark Community College, in Godfrey. Infrastructure Transportation Illinois Route 100 runs along a west–east route through the city. It is part of the Great River Road and the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. Also, Illinois Route 3 has its northern terminus in Grafton at Illinois Route 100. There are two ferries that serve Grafton. The Grafton Ferry takes travelers across the Mississippi River to St. Charles County, Missouri, while the Brussels Ferry takes travelers across the Illinois River to Calhoun County, Illinois. Utilities Utility companies serving Grafton are Ameren (natural gas and electricity), Grafton Telephone (landline telephone service and internet), and PC One Cable (cable television). Water services are no longer provided and maintained by the city and are currently purchased from another source. Notable person Ed Baecht, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Browns References External links Grafton Visitors Center website Grafton Chamber of Commerce website City-Data.com Metro East Cities in Illinois Illinois populated places on the Mississippi River Cities in Jersey County, Illinois Populated places established in 1832 1832 establishments in Illinois