Jonesboro

The furnished home exemplifies fine living in a long-ago era. It features information about the Third Lincoln-Douglas Debate, held in Jonesboro in 1858. Other historic items and pioneer families are also featured. Costumed guides will escort visitors through the home, and special programs will occur through-out the week-end. Please check the Facebook page for up-to-date information.  Call 618-697-1870 or 618-833-3228 for tours or events.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  The Passport Stamp was orginally at the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District Office in Jonesboro until it was closed.

In the U.S. Forst Service Mississippi Bluffs area, the picnic area offers three walking loops ranging from .24 - .41 miles.  Walking paths are on paved surface and surrounded with various plant and tree species.  The Lincoln Memorial pond provides great scenery for walkers and a great habitat for turtles. 

Image courtesy of the Gazette-Democrat.

Local muralist Kris Killman from nearby Marion painted a mural depiciting the Lincoln-Douglas debate from 1858.  The mural is a recreation of the center section of an orginal painting done by Maurice Metzger of Anna, Illinois.  Metzger was well-known for painting wildlife and southern Illinois landmarks.  The mural is outdoors and is available for viewing year-round.

Founded in 1818, Jonesboro was the Union County Seat.  The adjacent city of Anna was only four years old in 1858. Douglas chose Union County for the site of this debate because of strong Southern sympathies here, hoping Lincoln would express abolitionist views.  Douglas had said he wanted to “trot Lincoln down to Egypt”, a common name for Southern Illinois. Douglas also thought this strongly Democratic county under the leadership of John S. Hacker would support him. However, the party was split with one group of Democrats calling themselves “Danites”.  They were led by John Dougherty (later to be Lt. Gov. of Illinois). David L. Phillips, a friend of Lincoln’s who was campaigning against John A. Logan for a seat in Congress, encouraged Lincoln to come to Jonesboro and stay at his home in Anna, which is still standing today.

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.