Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Illinois is a community rich in historical treasures, with thriving arts, education, and culture, and all wrapped in Midwest hospitality. Centrally located between St. Louis and Chicago, and near Springfield, Jacksonville offers an excellent place to live, work, and visit.

To the first time visitor, Jacksonville is full of the unexpected. From their Civil War and Abraham Lincoln connections, to the modern businesses of today, the area offers something for everyone. There is a small-town friendliness mixed with a vibrancy from a richness of natural sites, intellectual institutions, and businesses.

Visitor information is available at the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 310 East State Street in downtown Jacksonville. You can also call (217) 243-5678, or (800) 593-5678, if you have questions about planning your trip.

Any visitor's first stop in the Jacksonville area should be the Jacksonville Area Museum! In the early days of Illinois, Jacksonville was one of the leading cultural and political hubs of the state, a distinction that is still an important part of the city's fabric even to this day. The museum tells this compelling story with professional displays, videos, and artifacts of the Jacksonville and surrounding area.

Exhibits include: Connections to Abraham Lincoln, the expansion of industry, importance of local retail, the influence of institutions, the impact of famous indivduals, a history of medicine, the influence on modern dentistry, and so much more! The museum is also the home of the MacMurray College collection, and provides a home to their extensive history and artwork. With traveling and rotating exhibits, there is someting new each time one pays a visit to this fascinating look into the early history of Illinois.

The museum in located in the old Jacksonville Post Office, a beautiful federal building that has been repurposed into one of Jacksonville's finest cultural institutions.

Governor Joseph Duncan, who served as governor of Illinois from 1834 to 1838, had this two-and one-half-story house constructed between 1833 and 1835.

The home served as the official executive mansion for the state of Illinois from 1834-38. It was used for State business during the term of Governor Joseph Duncan from 1834-1838. The early capitals, Kaskaskia and Vandalia, had no “Governor’s Mansion”. This three-story, 17-room mansion was built in 1834. The mansion is owned and operated by the Rev. James Caldwell Chapter NSDAR. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and houses many of the original Duncan family furnishings.

Tradition says that Lincoln visited the Duncan home, and it is quite possible that happened, given the fact that Lincoln lived in nearby New Salem and Springfield during the time both men were members of the Whig Party. Lincoln served his first two terms as a state representative while Duncan was governor. In addition, voting records show that Lincoln cast ballots for Duncan three times.

Tanner Hall is the main administration building for Illinois College. Public access is off College Avenue, or from the Campus Quad. Free parking is available on College Avenue or most streets onk all sides of campus. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Each site on the audio tour dramatizes a Lincoln story with an entertaining and educational audio interpretation. These are an informative and fun way to learn the local stories of Jacksonville’s Lincoln connections. MP3 file downloads are available here or the linked page noted below. These files can be played on your mobile device, or by using your vehicle’s bluetooth connectivity. Some of the sites have a radio broadcast of the audio interpretation. When you arrive at each destination, tune your radio to the noted frequency on the sign at the site. Compact discs of the recordings are also available at the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 310 East State Street, the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and at area hotels.