LDN - Tourism

While visiting in
Logan County:

Special Events in and around Logan County
Special Events Calendar
Sites to See
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Transportation
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Community Information
Links to Other Tourism Sites in Illinois

Special Events
in and around Logan County

Upcoming events

"Yesterday's Tomorrows" Smithsonian exhibit in Middletown
June 23-July 28
Lincoln's Dog Daze of Summer
July 20

Recent events

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

’Tis ‘Culture Sunday’ in Middletown

[JULY 12, 2002] An afternoon in the park with artists and poets, dancers and musicians is planned for July 14. The "Culture Sunday" program will begin at 2 p.m. at the covered Middletown Park pavilion.

For the fourth special Sunday, the Knapp/Chesnut/Becker Historical Society is inviting the public to gather for an afternoon of fun and entertainment in observance of the opening of the Knapp Library/Museum and in celebration of the "Yesterday’s Tomorrows" Smithsonian exhibits coming to Middletown.

Jim Wilhelm, host of "Illinois Adventure" on PBS Channel 47 in Peoria, will portray the Voice of the Village of Middletown as he speaks all-knowingly of the past and present.

Julia Pegram Gerardot of Lincoln will take the audience "down South," as she presents "Visit with a Southern Teacher," telling of her roots and historical perspectives from her family.

"Young in Poetry" will feature Jessie Johnson Young of Mason City reading some of her poetry. She began writing poetry in third grade and is still writing at the age of 89. She has published a book entitled "Young at Heart," and her work appears regularly in the Banner Times newspaper.

She explains that her grandmother instilled in her a love of poetry. "Grandma loved poetry, and on winter evenings as we sat by the fireplace, she read to me," says Young. "We had not heard of TV. We did not need one. I saw the kinds of pictures in the flames of the fire as she read."

Another local poet, Dr. Lee Gurga of Middletown, will introduce the winners of the fifth- through eighth-grade poetry contest at New Holland-Middletown Middle School. Gurga will also present "Poetry on the Prairie." He has arranged a showing in the Knapp Library of the art of Laning and the poetry of Edgar Lee Masters. Gurga is editor of the magazine Modern Haiku, and his work is regularly published in Illinois Times.

As the Smithsonian exhibits invite people to imagine communities of the future — perhaps planned communities in space, underground or under the sea — William Furry of Springfield will tell of "Vachel Lindsay’s Idea of a Utopian Community for Central Illinois."

Blending the art of the muralist with the art of surveying, Robert E. Church of Rochester, executive director of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association, and Michael Clark of Aledo will present a mural that can be seen in the Knapp Library. A colorized replica of a Lloyd Ostendorf print, the mural shows the young Abe Lincoln as he would have been seen surveying for (Samuel) Musick’s Salt Creek Ferry Road in June of 1834. The road extended from just north of Middletown to Main Street, then on to New Salem and a point near Jacksonville.

Church will distribute photocopies of Ostendorf’s 1970 print to the audience. He will also present another print of Abe, the young surveyor, by Lloyd Ostendorf’s brother, Ned Ostendorf. Marilyn Deters and Kathy Sommers, co-chairs for "Yesterday’s Tomorrows," will receive the print on behalf of the Knapp Library.

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The International Folk Dancers from Springfield will entertain. Debbie Lindsey of Middletown is the coordinator. The dancers are one of the initial groups that will be housed in the new Center for the Arts in Springfield.

In addition to dancing for their own recreation and pleasure, the folk dancers have contributed to local arts, social service and multicultural understanding by performing for the Illinois State Fair, the Springfield Ethnic Festival, the Children’s Museum, Scouts, church groups, schools, nursing homes, civic groups and other functions.

The group has performed in Germany at various folk dance festivals several times since 1987, representing the United States of the 1850s-1860s. In the group’s repertoire are dances from England, Scotland, Ireland, north and south Germany, the Balkans, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Israel and the United States. The dancers wear authentic folk costumes to represent those parts of the world.

Founded in 1975 by Hedy Hoemmen under the sponsorship of the German-American National Congress to celebrate the American Bicentennial, the Springfield International Folk Dancers have been an independent nonprofit organization since 1987.

Concluding the program will be a concert of Celtic music by the Prairie Aires: MeLane Coulter of Middletown, Lynette Belcher, Janet Schoonover and Miriam Greene of Mason City.

Various food vendors will be in the park, along with crafters and flea marketeers.

The "Share Your Mementoes" display at the Village Hall will feature a spinning wheel, photos and samples from MeLane Coulter’s wool collection. The display will be available for viewing on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.

On-site genealogists will be Eddie and Dot Dirks of Athens and Pat Glenn, Carl Johnson and Fannie Bertram of Middletown.

Hours for the "Yesterday’s Tomorrows" Smithsonian displays, co-sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council, are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. A wheelchair entrance is on the west side of the Knapp Library.

[News release]

Related articles:

Celebrating American Theatre

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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

‘Walking on the Path of Abraham Lincoln’

A walking tour of historic Lincoln, Ill.

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.

[See "LC Museum named one of 10 best Lincoln-related sites in Illinois"]

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]

Logan County historical landmarks

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]

Heritage In Flight Museum open on weekends

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]