In his years as a Circuit-riding attorney, Lincoln could often be found in Shelbyville practicing his trade at the Shelby County Courthouse and mixing with the many friends he made in the area. The Courthouse features a painting of the Lincoln-Thornton Debate. While the Lincoln-Douglas Debates are certainly more famous, the earlier Thornton Debate was Lincoln’s first public appearance as a Republican and the first time he publicly addressed the anti-slavery notions that would be so important in his later years. This charming community on the hill overlooking the beautiful Lake Shelbyville is a must-stop on your Looking for Lincoln adventure.
For more information:
Shelby County Tourism - Lake Shelbyville
315 East Main
Shelbyville, IL 62565
217-774-2244
http://lakeshelbyville.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
Shelbyville Area CVB
315 E. Main St. Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
Get your visitor information at the Lake Area Shelbyville visitor center in downtown Shelbyville.
US Army Corps of Engineers Lake Shelbyville Visitor's Center
1989 IL-16 Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
USACE Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center provides visitor information, exhibits and is also a passport stamp location.
Anthony Thornton
315 E. Main St Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
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.
Lincoln Thornton Debate
301 E. Main St Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
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.
Lincoln's Court Cases
111 IL-16 Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
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.