Lincoln, Ill., to be on CNN Thursday

[February 10, 2009]  Thanks to a note from tourism director Geoff Ladd, this week the nation will be informed of what everyone in Logan County already knows: Out of 24 cities in the U.S. named after Abraham Lincoln, only our town was christened by him.

Thursday, on Abe Lincoln's 200th birthday, CNN News will air a special piece dealing with Lincoln: the city and the man. The interest came from the fact that old Abe himself christened the town named for him, and that makes the city of Lincoln the only city in America that can make that claim.

It is undetermined what times the piece will be aired, but producer Chris Davis advised that CNN will have the video available on the Web throughout the day, if not longer.

The filming included the State Bank Investment Center, the depot at the spot the christening took place, the Postville Courthouse and ended up with a sun setting on Abe and his covered wagon on Woodlawn Road and the beltline.

Ron Keller, curator of the Lincoln Heritage Museum at Lincoln College, felt the national exposure to Lincoln was a real positive. "I think it's a personal honor having a national network come in to cover what we do and our great connection to Abraham Lincoln," he said. "We are unique and have a unique story to tell."

Paul Gleason, also with the Lincoln College Museum, said that Davis also spent time talking with area residents, including Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman, himself, Shirley Bartelmay, LC student Angelique Crusoe and noted local historian Paul Beaver.

Gleason also observed the strong linkage between Lincoln and new President Barack Obama, and he discussed that with Davis. Gleason said that to date this would have to be considered the high point of equality in races in America since the time President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Bartelmay said that Davis took extensive film footage inside Postville Courthouse.

It is undetermined what the length of the program's footage will be, so we will just have to wait with America for Thursday to find out if when looking for Abraham Lincoln, people will also start looking for Lincoln, Illinois.

[By MIKE FAK]