Special Events
in and around Logan County

Upcoming events

Past events

2002

Annual celebrations

52 days and counting!

From the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

[JUNE 30, 2003]  The arrival of the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival merchandise is always a time of major excitement for the staff at the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce. The realization that the countdown is beginning for this special event is first and foremost in our minds, the dates of the festival being Aug. 21-24.

Part of the excitement regarding the festival merchandise is the fact that the prices remain the same as last year, with the exception of the license plates. License plates are in and can be put on your car immediately. A new array of T-shirt colors, in addition to the white and ash gray, are available this year -- pink, butter (yellow) and sand (khaki) with the festival logo. The polo shirts are in birch (gray) and butter. The official pilot shirt has the racing checked collar. Pretty snappy! Our denim offering this year is short-sleeved with the embroidered logo. A red sandwich-billed cap or a khaki and black low-profile cap looks great with the rest of the merchandise.

Two new venues will be unique to the festival this year. The Art of Wine, sponsored by Main Street Lincoln, promises to be a tasty addition to the weekend. The traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall will be a major addition to the 2003 festival. The wall, displayed on the east side of the main drive at Lincoln Christian College, will be open around the clock for visitors, starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, through 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24. Local veteran groups will provide information and honor guards at the site.

Following their visit to the Vietnam Memorial Wall, visitors can see and hear more military history by driving a short distance from LCC. Around the field to the north and west, Heritage in Flight, located at the Logan County Airport, will host an open house Saturday, Aug. 23. Tours of the military museum (housed in a historic prison camp bunker), displays in the hangar and outdoor static displays that include military vehicles and aircraft will be provided by HIF members.

A record number of balloon pilots and sponsors (50) and a full slate of artists are contracted for this red-letter year. Calls come in daily for crafters, commercial vendors and flea market applications. The YMCA staff is making changes to the Adventure Zone, which will prove to be a great place for the kids. The Soap Box Downhillers, sponsored by Graue Inc., Lincoln Kiwanis and Insight Communications, will race down South Kickapoo Street on Saturday, and the classic car cruise-in, sponsored by the Cool Cruisers, will be around the Logan County Courthouse on Sunday.

 

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There will be something for everyone to enjoy over the weekend, including a wonderful exhibit of fireworks following the glow on Saturday night. Fireworks are being sponsored by S & N Fireworks and the chamber.

A free showing of Underground Railroad and Civil War quilts will be displayed in the Logan County Courthouse rotunda Aug. 21-24. Dr. Clarice Boswell, an Underground Railroad expert and author, will give a free program in the third-floor courtroom at 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 21. Author and quilter Susan Kirby will be at the show all day Aug. 23 to sign books and show her quilts. Hours for the exhibit are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 23, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 24.

 

In a separate location, the Layman Gallery, on the Lincoln College campus, will host a free Underground Railroad and black history exhibit Aug. 16 through Sept. 6. The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (except Labor Day) and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment.

Special-shape balloons to be featured this year are the three-tiered Birthday Cake, to celebrate Lincoln's 150th birthday; Arky, Noah's Ark filled with animals; Coco the Clown; Air Bear; and Freedom Flight. These balloons are locally sponsored by the city of Lincoln; Animal Crackers Childcare, Inc.; Britsch Mobile Homes, Home of Britsch Towing; Area Disposal and Lincoln Land Communications; and Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes, Holland & Barry Ltd., and Kerrigan-Peasley Funeral Home.

Brochures featuring both the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival and the Lincoln Sesquicentennial have been delivered to area businesses, and many have gone out all around the state. If you need any additional information, give the chamber a call at (217) 735-2385 or write to 303 S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln, IL 62656.

[Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce]

Excitement builds as Lincoln's
150th birthday nears

[JUNE 19, 2003]  Signs that plans for Lincoln's sesquicentennial are moving into the final phase abound: Glossy brochures are circulating, souvenir sales are taking off and tickets began making their appearance at the planning committee's Wednesday evening meeting.

Fifty thousand color brochures itemize events of the Aug. 21-24 Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival as well as the overlapping 150th birthday party. Brochures are available at several locations, including the office of Mayor Beth Davis, who chairs the sesquicentennial committee, and the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County.

Souvenir chair Sharon Awe happily reported a turnaround: Receipts now outpace bills.

The check for $2,000 she handed to treasurer Paul Short more than balanced the $200 in new bills.

Some souvenirs are selling so well that Awe is reordering. Especially hot are T-shirts and throws. New items include a locally crafted wooden watermelon slice with a bite out of it and notecards depicting Lincoln christening the city with watermelon juice. The notecards reproduce the same Lloyd Ostendorf painting as the throws.

A ticket in hand is a pretty good indicator that an event is organized and just around the corner. Three sets of tickets came up for discussion at Wednesday's meeting and are or will soon be available to the public.

Publicity chair Thressia Usherwood has begun distributing free tickets to "An Evening with Abraham Lincoln in Logan County," set for Monday, Aug. 25, at Johnston Center on the Lincoln College campus. The tickets are available at the tourism bureau, phone 732-8687.

The program begins with a speech by Paul Beaver, LC history professor emeritus, on Abraham Lincoln's life in Lincoln and Logan County. Afterward, audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions of a panel of Lincoln historians, including Dr. Mark Plummer, Dr. Wayne Temple, Paul Gleason and Beaver. The moderator is Ron Keller, curator of the LC museum. A reception will follow.

Tickets to a chicken dinner on Sunday, Aug. 31, are available from all members of the sesquicentennial committee. The dinner features a choice of fried or barbecued chicken at a cost of $6 for adults and $3 for children. The Knights of Columbus Auxiliary is serving the midday meal at the KC Hall. Members of various churches are making desserts and helping with cleanup.

Following the chicken dinner a circuit rider preacher will lead an interdenominational church service at Latham Park. Wallace Reifsteck, co-chair for the service, announced that the Rev. David Hultberg will ride Timex, already a local star as Lincoln's horse in the video "From Surveyor to President: A. Lincoln in Logan County." The sorrel gelding is owned by Roger and Lynn Bock of rural Elkhart.

 

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A third set of tickets go on sale Monday. These are $1 tickets for an ice cream social scheduled for Postville Day -- "Where It All Began" -- Sunday, Aug. 24. Queen contest chair Pat Geskey said girls ages 14-18 have until this Friday to sign up for the contest and will receive their tickets Monday. The girl who sells the most tickets will be queen. Sales begin immediately and continue until Aug. 22.

The ice cream social will follow the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln well in front of VFW Post 1756 and the coronation of the queen in Postville Park. Earlier in the day an 1860s craft fair will take over the Postville Courthouse grounds. Postville chair Shirley Bartelmay said 23 booths and four musical groups are scheduled.

Music chair Greg Pelc added the Prairie Aires to the list of musicians performing during the weeklong celebration. The trio will play their period instruments both at the craft fair and at Latham Park on Wednesday, Aug. 27, during a free watermelon feed.

Pelc said he would still like to find groups to perform during the ice cream social and chicken dinner, but for the most part he has moved on to meeting power needs of scheduled bands. In this he is working with newly appointed infrastructure chairs Bob and Penny Thomas.

Re-enactment chair Ron Keller said those participating in the period dance lessons taught by Bonnie Knieriem of Mason City are having great fun. The lessons cover 10 dance steps plus tips on 19th-century etiquette and attire in preparation for the Civil War ball at the Elks Lodge on Saturday, Aug. 30. The 33rd Infantry Band will provide the tunes.

Keller said another set of five dance lessons would be offered if there is sufficient interest. Those wanting to participate can contact him at 732-3155, Ext. 295. The cost is $25 per couple or $15 for singles. The ball itself is free.

Since Monday night, when Lincoln City Council approved blocking off streets for the parade, stages and alcohol consumption, most big decisions for the 150th birthday party are set. However, planners on Wednesday were still discussing the exact location in Scully Park for an ethnic food festival on Friday, Aug. 29. The problem is to locate tents close enough to a power source but far enough from the Hometown Stage at the corner of Clinton and McLean. Pelc and Bob Thomas said they can work out a plan to accommodate about 10 vendors.

[Lynn Spellman]

BIG, finalized Lincoln Sesquicentennial and
Art and Balloon Festival schedule released

Lincoln Sesquicentennial and Art and Balloon Festival brochures are out. They can be found in key locations all around town.

The brochures detail the completed lineup of activities planned, as well as maps, for Lincoln's BIG, BIG, BIG, 10-day celebration Aug. 22-31. Events are listed below.

Sesquicentennial events


Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival
Aug. 21-24

Lincoln Sesquicentennial
Aug. 21-31

Thursday, Aug. 21

3 p.m. -- Grand opening ceremony for the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival and Lincoln Sesquicentennial, with unveiling of the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Lincoln Christian College

8 a.m. - 7 p.m. -- Civil War and Underground Railroad quilt show in the Logan County Courthouse rotunda, with a program at 6:30 p.m.

Underground Railroad display through Sept. 6 at Layman Gallery at Lincoln College

5:30 p.m. -- Festival kickoff party with free food and entertainment at Maple Ridge Care Centre, 2202 N. Kickapoo St.

6:30 pm. -- Sneak preview flight for media representatives

Friday, Aug. 22

6:30 a.m. -- Landowners flight

8 a.m. - 7 p.m. -- Civil War and Underground Railroad quilt show in the Logan County Courthouse rotunda

3-6 p.m. -- Flea market, antiques and collectibles in Scully Park, downtown Lincoln

4-10 p.m. -- Big "M" Amusements carnival, food concessions, petting zoo and Lions Club craft show at the Logan County Fairgrounds

5-6 p.m. -- The Modern Cowboyz at the Logan County Fairgrounds

6 p.m. -- Hot-air balloon launch at the Logan County Fairgrounds

Dusk -- Balloon night glow at the Logan County Fairgrounds

6-11 p.m. -- Beer garden and DJ music at Logan County Fairgrounds

Saturday, Aug. 23

6:30 a.m. -- Balloon launch at the Logan County Fairgrounds

8 a.m. -- Cross country run, sponsored by Lincoln Park District, starting at Memorial Park

9 a.m. -- Lincoln Soap Box Downhillers event on South Kickapoo Street, four blocks south of the courthouse

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Used book sale at Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St.

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- 30th annual Lincoln Art Fair in Latham Park, downtown Lincoln

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Kids AdventureZone, Kickapoo at Pekin Street

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Flea market, antiques and collectibles in Scully Park, downtown

10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Civil War and Underground Railroad quilt show in the Logan County Courthouse rotunda

11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. -- "The Art of Wine," downtown Lincoln

Noon -10 p.m. -- Big "M" Amusements carnival, food concessions, petting zoo and Lions Club Craft Show at the Logan County Fairgrounds

5-6 p.m. -- U.S. Navy Band (has been invited), Logan County Fairgrounds

6 p.m. -- Hot-air balloon launch at the Logan County Fairgrounds

Dusk -- Balloon night glow and fireworks at the Logan County Fairgrounds

6-11 p.m. -- Beer garden and DJ music at Logan County Fairgrounds

Sunday, Aug. 24

“Where It All Began” Day

6:45 a.m. -- Balloon fly-in competition at Logan County Fairgrounds

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Used book sale at Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- 30th annual Lincoln Art Fair in Latham Park, downtown Lincoln

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Flea market, antiques and collectibles in Scully Park, downtown

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- 1860s craft fair at Postville Courthouse, Fifth Street

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Kids AdventureZone, Kickapoo at Pekin Street

11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- "The Art of Wine," downtown Lincoln

1-4 p.m. -- Civil War and Underground Railroad quilt show in the Logan County Courthouse rotunda

1-4 p.m. -- Classic car cruise-in on the square in downtown Lincoln

4:30-8:30 p.m. -- 1830-1850s music at Postville Park

5 p.m. -- Dedication of the Abraham Lincoln well across from Postville Courthouse on Fifth Street

5:30 pm. -- Sesquicentennial queen coronation at Postville Park, Fifth Street

6-9 p.m. -- Ice cream social at Postville Park, Fifth Street

Monday, Aug. 25

Lincoln Heritage Day

7-8:30 p.m. -- "An Evening with Abraham Lincoln in Logan County," with Paul Beaver and a panel of historians, at Lincoln College Johnston Center

Tuesday, Aug. 26

Business and Industry Day

All day -- Spotlight on business, with tours, promotions, open houses

6 p.m. -- 1860s baseball game, Ground Squirrels versus local sports standouts, at Lincoln Junior High School ball diamond

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Lincoln Founders Day

10 a.m. -- Town christening re-enactment and speeches, outside the train depot, downtown Lincoln

7 p.m. -- Encore presentation of town christening re-enactment and speeches, outside the train depot, downtown Lincoln

7:30-9 p.m. -- 1850s-1860s music at Latham Park

7:30-9 p.m. -- Free watermelon feed at Latham Park, downtown Lincoln

Thursday, Aug. 28

Agriculture Day

7 a.m. - noon -- Farmer's market at Latham Park

5:30-7 p.m. -- Pork chop sandwich dinner, $5 per person, at Latham Park

6-7 p.m. -- Remote control car races in city parking lot across from Latham Park

7-9 p.m. -- New Salem Country Opry performance from the Latham Park bandstand

Friday, Aug. 29

Education Day

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Campus and school tours

3-4 p.m. -- 33rd Infantry Band concert at Postville Park

5-11 p.m. -- Ethnic food festival and storytelling by Brian Ellis at Scully Park

5 p.m. - 1 a.m. -- Musical entertainment

5 p.m. -- King Karaoke, Karaoke Stage on Kickapoo south of the square

5-7:45 p.m. -- Stone County Ramblers playing bluegrass, Hometown Stage, McLean and Clinton

5:30-7:30 p.m. -- Don Smith Orchestra playing swing and big band music, Dance and Swing Stage, McLean and Broadway

7:30-8:30 p.m. -- American English in a Beatles tribute, Main Stage, Broadway and Kickapoo

8:30-9:30 p.m. -- Don Smith Orchestra playing swing and big band music, Dance and Swing Stage, McLean and Broadway

8:30-9:45 p.m. -- Poprocks playing '70s-'90s pop rock, Rock Till Ya Drop Stage, Chicago and Pulaski

8:45-9:45 p.m. -- Hairbanger's Ball in an '80s Hairbands tribute, Partytown Stage, Sangamon and Broadway

9 p.m.-midnight -- Rockus with classic rock, Hometown Stage, McLean and Clinton

9:45-11 p.m. -- American English in a Beatles tribute, Main Stage, Broadway and Kickapoo

11 p.m.-1 a.m. -- Poprocks playing '70s-'90s pop rock, Rock Till Ya Drop Stage, Chicago and Pulaski

11:15 p.m.-12:45 a.m. -- Hairbanger's Ball in an '80s Hairbands tribute, Partytown Stage, Sangamon and Broadway

Saturday, Aug. 30

Homecoming Day

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -- Sesquicentennial parade: “Pride in Our Past -- Faith in Our Future”; route from Postville Park on Fifth Street to downtown Lincoln

1 p.m. -- Community photograph in downtown Lincoln

2 p.m. -- Abraham Lincoln  and Mary Todd Lincoln look-alike contests at Latham Park, downtown Lincoln

2 p.m. -- Brothers of the Brush and Sisters of the Swish contest winners at Latham Park, downtown Lincoln

3-5 p.m. -- Union demonstration by 33rd Regimental Infantry Regiment, along with a Civil War encampment at Postville Park on Fifth Street

5-11 p.m. -- Lincoln Ethnic Festival and storytelling by Brian Ellis at Scully Park

6-9 p.m. -- Meet local celebrities in Latham Park

8 p.m. -- Civil War grand ball with music by the 33rd Infantry Band at the Elk's Lodge
(See related article, "Don't miss this fun opportunity.")

5 p.m. - 1 a.m. -- Musical entertainment

5 p.m. -- King Karaoke, Karaoke Stage on Kickapoo south of the square

5-7 p.m. -- Bobby Remack Band with swing and big bands, Dance and Swing Stage, McLean and Broadway

5-7:45 p.m. -- Rockus doing '50s and '60s songs, Hometown Stage, McLean and Clinton

7-8:15 p.m. -- Creagles with Credence Clearwater and Eagles tributes, Main Stage, Broadway and Kickapoo

8:15-9:30 p.m. -- Bobby Remack Band with swing and big bands, Dance and Swing Stage, McLean and Broadway

8:15-9:30 p.m. -- Debbie Ross Band playing blues, Partytown Stage, Sangamon and Broadway

8:15-9:30 p.m. -- Imagine That with '60s-'90s Top 40 music, Rock Till Ya Drop Stage, Chicago and Pulaski

9 p.m.-midnight -- Greg Glick Band with blues rock, Hometown Stage, McLean and Clinton

9:30-11 p.m. -- Creagles with Credence Clearwater and Eagles tributes, Main Stage, Broadway and Kickapoo

11 p.m.-1 a.m. -- Debbie Ross Band playing blues, Partytown Stage, Sangamon and Broadway

11 p.m.-1 a.m. -- Imagine That with '60s-'90s Top 40 music, Rock Till Ya Drop Stage, Chicago and Pulaski

Sunday, Aug. 31

Religious Day

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. -- Fried chicken dinner at Lincoln Knights of Columbus Hall

2-9 p.m. -- Musical entertainment

2-4 p.m. -- Illinois Brass Works, a variety brass band, Hometown Stage, McLean and Clinton

4:15-5:45 p.m. -- Slingshot 57 doing Christian rock at Christian Stage, McLean and Pulaski

6-7:30 p.m. -- Petra performing Christian rock at Main Stage, Broadway and Kickapoo

6-9 p.m. -- Country Thunder performing country at Hometown Stage, McLean and Clinton

3 p.m. -- Community church service at Latham Park  (or, in case of rain, at Lincoln Christian Church)

7-8:30 p.m. -- Illinois Symphony Orchestra performance, McLean Street north of the square (or, in case of rain, at the Earl C Hargrove Chapel at Lincoln Christian College)

Ongoing displays and activities

Aug. 21-24, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Heritage in Flight Museum open at Logan County Airport; flying demonstrations on Aug. 23

Aug. 21-24, open 24 hours -- Replica of Vietnam Memorial at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

Aug. 21-31 -- Underground Railroad display in the Logan County Courthouse

Aug. 21-31 -- Sesquicentennial displays in store windows downtown

Aug. 21-31 -- Sesquicentennial headquarters and temporary museum at 121 Sangamon St. (State Bank of Lincoln branch location)

Aug. 21-31 -- "Who Let The Dogs Out" display in downtown Lincoln

Aug. 21-31 -- Children's activities, including the YMCA's AdventureZone

Aug. 26-31, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. -- Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society open house at 1114 N. Chicago St.

Links

Sites to See

‘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 Wednesday-Sunday

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, nonprofit 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 Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 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.

Also visit www.heritageinflight.org.

[LDN]

To read more about HIF, 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

Recreation

  • Lincoln Park District, 732-8770

Parks

Dining

Blue Dog Inn
111 S. Sangamon
Lincoln
735-1743
 Monday 11-2
Tuesday-Thursday 11-10
Friday & Saturday 11-11

Wendy's
2815 Woodlawn Road
Lincoln
735-1011

 

Transportation

Maps

Community Information

Links to Other Tourism Sites in Illinois

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