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Throughout the weekend there will be
four free inflatable bouncers. Children can also enjoy face
painting, balloon sculpturing, a storyteller and free games with
prizes.
The weekend will kick off Friday at 5
p.m. with a pork barbecue dinner served by the Mount Pulaski girls
basketball team. The Logan County Bluegrass will perform from 8 till
10 p.m. For the youth there will be a free dance beginning at 8 p.m.
with the music provided by Schroeder’s DJ Service.
Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. with
a townwide garage sale. The sale will include many first-timers, and
there will be collectibles, crafts, antiques and much more. A car
show with all makes and models will start at 11 a.m. A ribeye
sandwich lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the St.
Patrick’s youth group. At 4 p.m. a "Home Town America" parade will
feature several exciting entries.
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article] |
A fried chicken dinner will be served
from 5 till 8 p.m. The dinner includes potato salad, applesauce,
marinated cucumber salad, dinner roll and drink. The kiddie tractor
pull is scheduled to begin competition at 5. The Needs and Goals
group of Elkhart will sponsor a cake walk beginning at 6 p.m.
Kent Sorrells, everyone’s favorite
hypnotist, will be performing at 7 p.m. A street dance featuring the
band Upfront will begin at 8:30 p.m. The winner of the 50-50 $1,000
drawing will be announced at 9 p.m. Only 200 chances will be sold.
Sunday morning from 7:30 till 11 a.m.
biscuits and gravy will be served by the St. Patrick’s youth group.
A four-on-four co-ed grass volleyball tournament will be at the
Elkhart Community Park. Cost is $60 per team, with cash prizes to
first and second places. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and games
at 9 a.m. There will be a maximum of 10 teams.
Mark your
calendars for July 19, 20 and 21 and come to enjoy the events and
food at the annual Elkhart Homecoming. |
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Friday, July 19
Pork barbecue dinner, starting at 5
p.m. (a Mount Pulaski High School girls basketball team fund-raiser)
Tickets on sale for 50-50 $1,000
drawing
Free games for kids, 5 to 7 p.m.
(sponsored by Illini Bank)
Logan County Bluegrass, playing from 8
to 10 p.m.
Youth dance with DJ, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July
20
Townwide garage sale, beginning at 8
a.m.
Tickets on sale for 50-50 $1,000
drawing
Ribeye sandwich and chips, 11 a.m. to 1
p.m. (a church youth group fund-raiser)
Car show, starting at 11 a.m.
Parade at 4 p.m. ("Home Town America")
Four free air rides, Saturday only,
5 to 9 p.m. (sponsored by Turris Coal Mine, Elkhart Grain Co. and
the Homecoming Association)
Fried chicken dinner, starting at 5
p.m.
Free games for kids, 5 to 7 p.m.
(sponsored by Illini Bank)
Kiddies tractor pull, weigh-in at 5:30
p.m.
Hypnotist Kent Sorrells, 7 to 8 p.m.
Upfront band, 8:30
50/50 $1,000 drawing, Saturday night
(only 200 chances)
Sunday, July 21
Sausage, biscuits and gravy breakfast,
7:30 to 10:30 a.m. (a church youth group fund-raiser)
Grass
volleyball tournament
"Come see how we’ve
grown"
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section] |
Sponsors
Freol Trucking LLC, Elkhart, 947-2422
Downing, Przykopanski, Clements & May
Insurance
Crossroads Trucks, Jim Dambacher, Parts
Department
The Mustard Moon, Lincoln, 735-1093
Davis Truck Service Inc., Elkhart, 1
(800) 272-7459
Rexx Battery Specialists, Lincoln,
732-2885
NAPA Auto Parts, Lincoln, 735-1594
Bob Peters Construction, Elkhart,
947-2760
Talk of the Town, Elkhart, 947-2770
Advance Thermopane, Scott Falkcon,
522-1440
The Treasure Chest Crafts & Gifts,
735-3103
Lincoln Logan Mutual Ins. Co., 732-2885
Frontier Mutual Ins. Co., Lincoln,
732-8222
Ag-Land FS, Rick Freed, 792-5027
Greene & Bradford Engineering &
Surveying
Elkhart Mayor Dayle Eldredge
Richardson Repair, Elkhart, 947-2431
Croft Fertilizer, Athens, 445-2631
David Bros. Trucking, Elkhart, 947-2413
Farm Credit Services, Lincoln, 1 (800)
475-2201
Olson Farms, Dave and John Olson
Rich Brauer, candidate for 100th
District representative
Monsanto Seeds, Mark Rhodes, 947-2229
Lincoln Land Oil Co., Springfield,
523-5050
Elkhart Oil, Joe Kolb, 947-2721
Rabin, Myers & Hanken,
www.SpringfieldLaw.com
Dan Folkes Air Conditioning, 947-2236
Pioneer Seeds, Mike Gleason, 735-9307
Larry Bomke, candidate for Senate 50th
District
Mike Maske Auction Services, 792-3959
Lake Fork Fertilizer, 792-3397
Bill Howard Construction, Elkhart
Graue Inc., Lincoln, 735-4444
STS Consultants, Ltd., Joe Olson, (217)
525-3780
Thomas Jacob Group, Bloomington, (309)
664-7777
Parker-Grieme Insurance, Lincoln,
735-1296
Elkhart Fertilizer, Steve Urish,
947-2221
Qik-N-EZ, Lincoln, 732-9110
Patterson Bros. Oil & Gas,
Williamsville, 566-3328
Golden Harvest, Jim Olson, 732-2576 |
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[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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this section]
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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]
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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]
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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.
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