Decatur and Macon County has a landscape rich in Lincoln history. Many "firsts" in Lincoln’s life happened in and around Decatur. It was the first home of the Lincoln family when they moved to Illinois. Downtown Decatur was the site of Lincoln’s very first political speech, and it was here that he was first nominated for the Presidency at the State Republican Party Convention. Throughout his time as a lawyer in central Illinois, Lincoln tried a number of cases in Decatur. Today, the log courthouse where some of Lincoln's early legal cases were heard still exists in the Prairie Village at the Macon County History Museum.
While you’re "Looking for Lincoln" in Decatur, be sure to visit beautiful Lake Decatur, surrounded by nature trails, parks and a golf course. Plan a stop at Scovill Zoo and a trip to the Children’s Museum.
For more information:
Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
202 E. North Street
Decatur, IL 62523
217-423-7000
http://www.decaturcvb.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
Winter of the Deep Snow
2600 S. Lincoln Memorial Parkway Decatur, Illinois 62522
The winter of 1830-31 would be one to go down in history. The Winter of the Deep Snow blanketed Illinois to a depth of three feet on the level with drifts of four to six feet. Storms with high winds continued for 60 days. Many families were snowbound in their homes and travelers remained wherever they happened to be when the snow started. Abraham Lincoln tells of spending the “celebrated ‘deep snow’ of Illinois”.
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.