Special Events
in and around Logan County

Upcoming events

• Fourth of July: Fireworks and festivities

• "Yesterday's Tomorrows" Smithsonian exhibit in Middletown
  June 23-July 28

• Lincoln's Dog Daze of Summer
  July 20

Recent events

• Explore Logan County

Archive files on annual festivals

• Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival
  From the Lincoln Daily News archives:

• 2001

• 2000

• Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Contest and Crafts Festival

• 2001

• 2000

• Festival of Trees

• 2001

• 2000

[JULY 1, 2002]  The Fourth of July promises to be a great day of fun at your Lincoln Park District.  We begin the day with a firemen’s water fight; registration is at 8 a.m. and the event begins at 9 a.m.  We expect several teams from the neighboring community.  We encourage you to come on out and cheer them on.

Lincoln Baseball Association will host the All Star baseball games beginning at 11 a.m.

The swimming pool will open for the young people at 1 p.m., with Splashapalooza scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Relay races, inner tube races, diving for pennies and much more is planned. Admission is only $1, and the pool will close at 5 p.m.

Games for children and adults will start at 7 p.m. Children’s games will include races, relays and contests with prizes being awarded. Games for adults will be hosted on the driving range. Prizes for the putting, "bean the cart" and other games will be given. To play "bean the cart," we place a bull’s‑eye on the golf cart and drive it about 100 yards.  You have three balls to try to hit the cart as it drives back and forth on the driving range.

Concession stands will be available. There will be music by the Sounds of KC, Kevin Curry will be the DJ, and of course, it would not be the Fourth of July without the fireworks, which will begin at dusk. Our many thanks to Dan Lee for all of his hard work.

Once again Immanuel Lutheran Church will host a bake sale beginning at 6 p.m.. Activities will begin there at 1 p.m. with a community-wide picnic at 5 p.m. They invite you to use their lawn for watching the fireworks and offer their restroom and parking facilities as well.

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[All photos provided by Lincoln Park District]

[Lincoln Park District news release]

[JUNE 28, 2002]  Middletown is the place to be on Sunday afternoons this summer. With five more special Sundays to go, this one, June 30, will be "Home and Country Sunday" with special festivities at the Middletown Park pavilion. The celebrations are in conjunction with the opening of the Knapp Library/Museum and the "Yesterday’s Tomorrows" Smithsonian exhibits.

Jim Wilhelm will emcee the next five Sunday afternoon programs, beginning at 2, at the covered pavilion in Middletown Park. He will portray the Village Voice of Middletown, weaving the history of the village with the events of the day. Wilhelm, a TV personality from Peoria, is the host of "Illinois Adventure," which airs weekly on public television Channel 47.

This week’s entertainment will feature speaker James R. Lloyd, who re-created the flight of the Vin Fiz, the first flight ever of an aeroplane across the United States. The original Vin Fiz ran out of fuel and landed in Hinck’s field east of Middletown on Oct. 9, 1911. Weather permitting, Lloyd will tell about the trip to California from Middletown as it was in his Oct. 6, 1986, re-enactment.

President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Max and Donna Daniels of Wheaton, will make a special visit.

Guests will then be serenaded by the rich, lovely sounds of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regimental Band. Band members hail from central Illinois and will perform Civil War-era music, using authentic instruments.

The band was mustered at State Normal University in August 1861. Called the Regimental Band, it was first led by Augustus Woodward and then by C.S. Elder, both of Lexington, and was made up of 17 bandsmen. A major part of the soldier’s life during the Civil War (Aug. 15, 1861-Aug. 16, 1862), the band played music that reminded him of home, kept his spirits high and added to his emotional well-being.

Among instruments used are valved bugles, cornets and an assortment of alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxhorns and rope tension drums.

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A group of dancers dressed in period clothing will demonstrate some of the traditional ball dances. Dances provided social opportunities during that time period. Some of the dances typically performed were the Virginia reel, "Patty-cake Polka," "Carousel Waltz" and the "Barn Dance." Game dances such as the "Hat Dance" and the "Broom Dance," where partners switch often and quick choices are made, were also a common activity at a ball.

Seating under the pavilion is limited, so all are invited to bring lawn chairs.

Come join in the fun with President and Mrs. Lincoln and the Civil War Regimental Band on "Home and Country Sunday" at the covered pavilion in Middletown Park.

Just like the movies, K/C/B Historical Society has scheduled special hours to view the already popular Smithsonian exhibits and the local "Share Your Mementoes" display.

The "Yesterday’s Tomorrows" Smithsonian exhibits, co-sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council, are on display at the Knapp Library, 101 S. Clinton, on the northwest corner of the "publick square" in Middletown.

Viewing hours are Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.; and on July 4 from noon to 6 p.m.

The local "Share Your Mementoes" exhibit is at the Middletown Village Hall on Sundays only, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

Exhibits are closed from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays to enable all to enjoy the festivities in the covered Middletown Park pavilion.

The special events continue with "Technology Sunday," July 7; "Cultural Sunday," July 14; "Health Sunday," July 21; and "Spiritual Sunday," July 28.

[News release]

Related articles:

• "Middletown kicks off first of six fun weekends," posted June 24

• "Middletown fires up for six weekends of fun -- Barbershop quartet featured Sunday," posted June 22

• "Middletown Smithsonian update," posted June 21

• "Middletown hosts Smithsonian exhibit June 23-July 28," posted April 27

[JUNE 20, 2002]  The travel magazine Illinois Now! has recently selected the Lincoln College Museum as one of the 10 best Lincoln-related sites in Illinois. Curator Ron Keller said that photos and descriptions of the sites will appear in the fall issue of the magazine.

"We’re pretty excited about it," Keller told Wednesday night’s meeting of Looking for Lincoln. "When you think of how many Lincoln-related sites there are in Illinois, this is really a great honor." He cited the many statues and monuments located in the state.

Two to three months ago representatives of the year-old magazine came to the museum to gather information and take photographs. Keller also talked to an editor about the college and museum and surmises that both events were part of the selection process.

Two weeks ago Illinois Now photo editor Mike Smith called for further information. During the conversation he asked, "Do you know that you have been selected as one of the 10 best Lincoln-related sites in Illinois?" That was how Keller first learned of the honor.

He says he does not know the other nine sites on the list, although there are some obvious choices like the Lincoln home and gravesite. He described Illinois Now as "very comprehensive" in its treatment of topics and noted recent articles on the top 50 summer ideas in Illinois and the best things to do in Chicago.

The Lincoln Group of Illinois, an organization of amateur historians formerly headquartered at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, met at Lincoln College on June 15. The LC Museum is the new home base for the group, with at least two meetings a year to be held in Lincoln and nearby communities.

Keller said many school classes toured the LC Museum during May. Attendance for the month was the best since records have been kept.

Also at the Looking for Lincoln meeting, Postville Cluster chair Shirley Bartelmay reported that 551 people, including school groups and a Route 66 tour, visited the Postville Courthouse in May. For approximately a month the site is displaying David Williams’ award-winning Postville Courthouse project. Williams is a student of Steve Schumacher at Zion Lutheran School.

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Bartelmay noted that trees of species commonly planted in Abraham Lincoln’s time are being sought for the courthouse grounds. Trees cost $125 each, and donors’ names are recorded on a plaque.

Bartelmay hopes to find funding for a collection of CDs of dulcimer and other Lincoln-era music and a radio to play them on to provide background music at Postville Courthouse.

Jan Schumacher, president of Main Street Lincoln, said funding for the video of Abraham Lincoln’s activities in Logan County is moving through state channels. It is part of the budget for this fiscal year ending June 30, and she hopes to have the check at the July meeting or soon thereafter. Filming is to take place in the fall.

Signage for sites on the walking tour of Lincoln, another Looking for Lincoln project, is in line to receive Illinois FIRST funds.

Looking for Lincoln chair Paul Beaver said that historic exhibits in the county have improved noticeably in the last few years. He cited the Mount Pulaski history museum, the Atlanta Library, the Stagecoach Inn and Knapp Library/Museum in Middletown, and the Early Illinois Prairie exhibit being set up in Elkhart.

Beaver said the Lincoln statue in the Logan County Courthouse is a good one from the 1930s. He proposed commissioning a professional photograph to be used for publicity and possibly posters. The courthouse will be 100 years old in 2005, and Schumacher said the centennial would provide an opportunity to showcase such treasures as the statue and the murals on the third floor.

Thressia Usherwood reported that the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County is hosting the Central Illinois Tourism Council on June 20.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

Sites to See

• ‘Walking on the Path of Abraham Lincoln’
  A walking tour of historic Lincoln, Ill.

• Logan County historical landmarks

• "Three projects, a dinner and a birthday party planned for J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator," posted April 6, 2001, in LDN

• "Elkhart prepares for Chautauqua guests," posted May 2, 2001, in LDN 

• "Lincoln Public Library keeps its history alive," posted May 26, 2000, in LDN

• "‘Crown jewel’ found in Lincoln — Lincoln’s well at Postville," posted May 19, 2001, in LDN

• "Middletown Stagecoach Inn dedicated," posted July 5, 2001, in LDN

• Postville Courthouse  

• "Renovated Postville Courthouse sets Dec. 9 open house," posted Dec. 6, 2000, in LDN 

• Mount Pulaski Courthouse

• "Mount Pulaski Courthouse at center of life in town," posted May 13, 2000, in LDN 

• Heritage In Flight Museum open on weekends

• "HIF fall open house a success," posted Oct. 12, 2001, in LDN

• "Logan County is host to a unique museum rich in special military stories and treasures," posted Feb. 15, 2001, in LDN

Note: The following material is from a brochure produced as a high school project by J.R. Glenn and Angie Couch for Main Street Lincoln. The Main Street Lincoln office and local tourist information center is on the second floor of Union Planter’s Bank at 303 S. Kickapoo.

[Click here for larger map]

1. Town christening site

Broadway and Chicago streets

In August 1853 the first sale of lots in the new town of Lincoln took place near this spot. Abraham Lincoln, in whose honor the town was named, was in attendance. When asked on the day of the land sale to officially "christen the town," Lincoln obliged. Lifting the cover off a pile of watermelons stacked on the ground by a local farmer, Lincoln picked up a melon and conducted a brief ceremony using its juice. Lincoln, Ill., is the only town named for Lincoln before he became president.

2. Lincoln railroad depot

101 N. Chicago St.

Abraham Lincoln frequented this city by train after its founding. As president-elect, Lincoln came hereon Nov. 21, 1860. He stopped near this spot to make a few remarks from the rear of his train. This was his last speech in Logan County and the last time Lincoln would visit his namesake city. His funeral train stopped here on May 3, 1865. The current depot was built several decades later, in 1911.

3. State Bank of Lincoln

111 N. Sangamon St.

Abraham Lincoln met sculptor Leonard Volk for the first time on the boardwalk in front of the Lincoln House Hotel. Volk asked Lincoln to pose for a bust and life mask of his face and hands. Signed copies of the life masks by Volk, as well as original artwork by Lloyd Ostendorf of Lincoln in Logan County, are on display in this bank building’s lobby.

4. Site of the Lincoln House Hotel

501 Broadway St.

The Lincoln House, one of the grandest hotels between St. Louis and Chicago, stood on this spot from 1854 to 1870. All the political luminaries of the day, including Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, David Davis and Richard Oglesby, crossed its threshold at one time or another The Lincoln House was a two-story frame structure that fronted the railroad tracks and featured a large veranda.

5. Robert Latham home site

400 N. Kickapoo St.

Robert B. Latham joined John D. Gillett and Virgil Hickox in founding the town of Lincoln in 1853. Abraham Lincoln, other lawyers and judges were often guests at his house.

6. Logan County Courthouse

When Lincoln became the county seat in 1853, a courthouse was built on this spot. A second courthouse was built in 1858 and remained in use until the early 20th century, when it was replaced with the current building. Abraham Lincoln practiced law and attended political functions in the first two courthouses built on the square. A statue of Lincoln stands in this courthouse. A Civil War monument and cannon sit on the north side of the courthouse grounds.

7. Lincoln lot site

523 Pulaski St.

A plaque located on the right-hand side of this store identifies the location as a lot Lincoln once owned. James Primm, in need of money, approached former Illinois Gov. Joel Matteson for a $400 advance. Matteson directed him to have Lincoln sign a note as Primm's guarantor. Lincoln co-signed the note. Later Primm defaulted and Lincoln had to pay the note. Eventually Primm deeded Lincoln this property in recompense.

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8. Rustic Inn

412 Pulaski St.

In 1876 members of a counterfeiting gang met here to hatch a plot to steal Lincoln's corpse from its burial vault in Springfield. The gang had planned to hide Lincoln's body in the Indiana sand dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan and negotiate with the governor of Illinois for $200,000 in cash and the release of Ben Boyd. The bartender at the Rustic Inn overheard the plot and reported it to the authorities. The Secret Service later apprehended the gang members. Robert Todd Lincoln had his father's coffin encased in several tons of cement to prevent future attempts to steal the body.

Other Lincoln sites in Lincoln

9. Stephen A. Douglas speech site

Comer of Fourth and Logan streets

Stephen Douglas visited this city during the famous 1858 Illinois senatorial campaign. Douglas paraded with all his supporters through the decorated streets to the tent that was pitched on this site. Lincoln, who was also in town, listened to his opponent from the back of the crowd. In the end, a majority of Logan County voters favored Lincoln, but Douglas won the 1858 election.

10. Postville Courthouse

914 Fifth St.

This state historic site is a replica of an 1840 courthouse where Lincoln argued, won and lost cases while he traveled the 8th Judicial Circuit.

11. Site of Deskins Tavern

915 Fifth St.

Lincoln often stayed at Deskins Tavern when he traveled to Postville. A well where he quenched his thirst is also at this site.

12. Postville Park

1300 Fifth St.

Abraham Lincoln was well-known for his athletic abilities, and he frequently joined in games of "town ball" at this village park.

13. Lincoln College and Museum

300 Keokuk St.

A nationally registered landmark, Lincoln College was founded and named for President Lincoln on Feb. 12, 1865. The museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia on the life of Abraham Lincoln.

Other sites of interest in downtown Lincoln 

Lincoln Public Library (a Carnegie building)

725 Pekin St.

Logan County Genealogical
& Historical Society

114 N. Chicago St.

Lincoln City Hall

700 Broadway St.

U.S. Post Office

102 S. McLean St.

Courthouse Square Historic District

including historic sites, restaurants and shops

[Click here for larger map]

Atlanta

J. H. Hawes wooden country elevator. Open Sunday afternoons June through August. Free.

Atlanta Public Library and Museum. On National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1908. Comer of Race and Arch. Phone (217) 648-2112. Free.

Chestnut

Monument proclaims the geographic center of the state of Illinois. Town was laid out in 1872.

Elkhart

Elkhart Cemetery. Richard J. Oglesby, who was elected governor of Illinois in 1864, 1872 and 1884, is buried here; also John Dean Gillett, known as the "Cattle King of the World," and Capt. Adam Bogardus, wing shot champion of the world. For tours of the cemetery and John Dean Gillett Chapel, please phone (217) 947-2238.

Emden

Bethel Church. Built in 1854. Three miles from Route 136 between Emden and Atlanta on County Road 20.

Lincoln

Site of Deskins Tavern. Across the street from Postville Courthouse, 915 Fifth St. Signage. Free.

Site of well Abraham Lincoln drank from. Across the street from Postville Courthouse, 915 Fifth St. Free.

Site of town christening by Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 27, 1853. Lincoln was the first community in the United States to be named for Abraham Lincoln before he became famous. Also, Lincoln's funeral train stopped here on May 3,1865. Located at the south side of the Lincoln Depot, Broadway and Chicago streets. Official Looking for Lincoln signage. Free.

Logan County Courthouse. Contains second-largest courtroom in Illinois. Built in 1905. Located on the courthouse square, downtown Lincoln. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday until noon. Phone (217) 732-6400. Free.

Lincoln College Museum. Over 3,000 historic items. Lincoln College was founded and named for President Lincoln on Feb. 12, 1865. Keokuk and Ottawa streets. Summer hours: 9 to 4 Monday through Friday; 1 to 4 Saturday and Sunday; closed May 28 and July 4. Free.

Heritage In Flight Museum. Museum is filled with memorabilia from all U.S. military conflicts back to World War I. Located at the Logan County Airport. Phone ahead (217) 732-3333 to confirm hours. Free but donations accepted.

Lincoln Public Library. Original Carnegie library built in 1902. Tiffany-style glass inner dome. 725 Pekin St. Open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 to 6; Saturday, 9 to 3. Phone (217) 732-8878. Free.

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site. Guided tours. 914 Fifth St. Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Ph. (217) 732-8930 for additional information. Free but donations accepted.

Middletown

Stagecoach Inn. The inn was on the old stage route from Springfield to Peoria. Built mid-1800s. Village is also famous for its aeronautical history. Free.

Mount Pulaski

Mount Pulaski Courthouse. This building is one of only two original 8th Judicial Circuit courthouses in Illinois. On National Register of Historic Places. Was Logan County Courthouse from 1847 to 1855. Guided tours. Open 12 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday. Phone (217) 732-8930. Free.

[Link to historical information on communities in Logan County]

A little-known historical site full of large and small treasures sits on the outskirts of town on the Logan County Airport property. The Heritage In Flight Museum building itself is a part of history. It is a remnant of Camp Ellis, located west of Havana, which was the largest military training and prisoner-of-war camp in the United States during World War II. After the war the camp was closed and the buildings were sold. Logan County Airport is fortunate to have one of the few remaining structures from Camp Ellis.

A little-known historical site full of large and small treasures sits on the outskirts of town on the Logan County Airport property. The Heritage In Flight Museum building itself is a part of history. It is a remnant of Camp Ellis, located west of Havana, which was the largest military training and prisoner-of-war camp in the United States during World War II. After the war the camp was closed and the buildings were sold. Logan County Airport is fortunate to have one of the few remaining structures from Camp Ellis.

Several historic items are found outside at the airport, including the rotating beacon, the green-and-white light that identifies the airport location to pilots flying at night. Before being moved to Logan County Airport, it was part of the lighted airway system that the airmail pilots in the 1920s used to navigate at night. The one that now resides here was originally located between Lincoln and Atlanta and provided a bright signal for Charles Lindbergh when he flew the airmail route between St. Louis and Chicago.

While outside you can also view a number of aircraft that are on display from various time periods.

Moving to the inside, you find that the Heritage in Flight Museum is filled with items of aviation history from the military and civilian branches of flying and from the earliest days of open-cockpit biplanes to the latest jets. Veterans who reside in Logan County have donated much of what the museum has. Families from the community have donated items that belonged to our war heroes, revealing special sentiments, symbolism and forgotten practices that held a community together in war times. Other items offer a look at early technology such as the airplane and ship radios. Of the thousands of items in the museum, each can be said to teach us something about our past. Visitors can relive history through the numerous displays, mostly grouped in wartime periods, and gain a strong sense of patriotism while studying military displays throughout the building.

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A guided tour is recommended to get the most from these displays. The volunteers are both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject matter and will bring to light little-known nuances that make the displays fascinating.

The museum is always interested in adding items of aviation history. Its greatest need, however, is for more volunteers to help in the guardianship of this important gateway to Lincoln and Logan County.

The museum requires lots of care and maintenance. Members are always looking for interested people of all ages to help care for it, share their interests and preserve a bit of aviation history.

Heritage In Flight Museum is operated by an all-volunteer, non-profit organization: Heritage-In-Flight, Inc. You are invited to come meet the members and sit in on their meetings anytime. Meetings take place at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month in the terminal meeting room.

The museum is a great resource to educate our youth about our aeronautical and military past and shares the wealth of military traditions from a community and national perspective. Schools, youth groups and families are welcome.

Heritage in Flight Museum

1351 Airport Road, Lincoln

Open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: (217) 732-3333

Call the airport and leave a message to request a guided tour, schedule a time during the week or ask for more information.

[LDN]

You can read more about HIF from the archives of LDN. Go to: http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2001/Feb/15/comunity/business.shtml#Logan County is host to a unique museum rich in special military stories and treasures

Entertainment

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

Recreation

• Lincoln Park District, 732-8770

Parks

• Lincoln Park District, 732-8770

• Edward R. Madigan State Park

Dining

Transportation

• Amtrak

• Illinois Department of Transportation

Maps

• Logan County

• Townships in Logan County

• Lincoln

• Mount Pulaski

• RouteMAP Illinois

• "Getting Around in Illinois" -- Illinois Department of Transportation

Community Information

• Lincoln-Logan County Chamber of Commerce

• Main Street Lincoln

• Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County

Links to Other Tourism Sites in Illinois

• State of Illinois Tourism

• Enjoy Illinois  (Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Bureau of Tourism)

• Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Springfield, Illinois

• Springfield Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau

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