Home of one of Looking for Lincoln’s 2015 Signature Events, the Lincoln Days Civil War Reenactment in June, Pittsfield and Pike County is proud to share its Lincoln heritage. All three of President Lincoln’s secretaries hailed from Pike County, and he counted many folks from the area among his friends. The homes of many of those friends are still standing. You can enjoy the stories and learn more about these early Pittsfield residents by taking the Talking Houses of Pittsfield tour. While most of the homes are still inhabited today, one small home, the Shasdid House has been restored and is now open for tours. Stop by the Pittsfield Welcome Center while you’re in town. They’re open M – F, from 8:30 am – 5 pm.
For more information:
Abe Lincoln Project/Looking for Lincoln in Pike County
P.O. Box 62
Pittsfield, IL 62363
217-285-6995
http://www.pikelincoln.com/
Location
Legend
8th Judicial Circuit
Courthouse
Friends of Lincoln
Good for Kids
Guided/Self-Guided Tours
Historic House
Historic Site
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Museum
Passport Site
Recreational
Route 66
Top Destination
Underground Railroad
Visitor Information
Wayside Exhibit
Nearby Sites
New Philadelphia National Historic Site
Broad Street Barry, Illinois 62312
New Philadelphia, founded in 1836, is believed to be the first town in the United States legally registered and platted by an African American. Frank McWorter, a slave in Kentucky, bought his own freedom and that of immediate family with surplus funds earned from mining niter and processing saltpeter. He subsequently moved to Illinois and purchased the acreage that would become…
William Watson Hotel (Mansion House)
105 East Washington Street Pittsfield, Illinois 62363
Built circa 1838
The hotel was built by William Watson one of the first settler’s in Pittsfield. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas would gather in the lobby when they were in town. Later Watson would sell the hotel to Joel Pennington whose son…
Talking Houses of Pittsfield
Start at the Milton Hay House, 332 West Washington Street Pittsfield, Illinois 62363
Pittsfield is a unique community when it comes to Abraham Lincoln. Between 1838 and 1858 Abraham Lincoln visited Pike County and the Pittsfield community several times. During his visits he became friends with many local men and their families through politics and legal business…
John Greene Shastid House
326 East Jefferson Street Pittsfield, Illinois 62363
Built circa 1838
John Greene Shastid first encounter Abraham Lincoln while living in New Salem, Illinois. In 1836 he moved his family to Pittsfield, Illinois. When Lincoln was in town on legal business it is said that he always called on the Shastids…
Lincoln's Pike County
N. Madison St & Washington Street Pittsfield, Illinois 62363
A Looking for Lincoln Wayside
