Lincoln Weekend Getaway
Day 1: Drive to the Thomas Lincoln Shilo Cemetery south of Lerna, Illinois. Lincoln's parents, Thomas and Sara Bush Lincoln are buried in this small and interesting church cemetery that is typical of early settlements. The small church makes it particularly picturesque. (30 minutes from the B&B).
Then travel just another 2 miles to Lincoln Log Cabin State Park where you can see a replica of Lincoln's parents' log cabin located on the site where they lived and where Lincoln visited. A modern, child-friendly museum is there, featuring a short video about Lincoln and the Goosenest Prairie Farm.
Next you should see the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum located on the Charleston Fair Grounds about 9 miles away. (14 minutes). See Map.
From there you can see the World's Largest Lincoln Statue 7 miles east of Charleston on Rt. 16, located at the Lincoln Springs Resort, 9699 N County Road 2000 E, Ashmore, IL (217) 345-3424.(About 13 minutes).
Next, continue your journey to Ashmore, turn north, and go to Oakland, IL, where the details of the Lincoln-Matson slave trial unfolded. (For more details see...). You will find the markers and the Dr. Rutherford house around the town square.
Day 2: If you haven't seen it yet, this day will include truly remarkable sites:
- The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum at 212 N. 6th Street in Springfield, IL. (78 miles, 1 hour, 40 minutes). The museum can be a 2- to 3-hour experience depending on your stamina.
- While in Springfield it's recommended that you walk a couple of blocks south and visit the Old State Capitol Building where Lincoln practiced law.
- Lincoln's law office called the "Lincoln-Herndon" Law Offices is in the next block south on 6th street.
- After if you walk 2 blocks South and 2 blocks East you can visit Lincoln's Home on 8th and Jackson Streets.
- After that, you will have to get your car and drive to the Lincoln's Tomb and Memorial in Oak Ridge Cemetery (On Monument Street). It's about 1.5 miles North and slightly West of the Lincoln Museum.
That's a full day. You may have to choose between the Lincoln Home and the Lincoln Memorial because you probably aren't going to see it all. Save some for the next trip.
Day 3. There are choices for day 3.
- If you plan to go South to return home, you may travel to Decatur, IL to see the The Macon County Historical Museum and Prairie Village at 5580 North Fork Road, in Decatur, Illinois. (53 minutes from the B&B). It's located just East of Decatur and North on the Airport Road.
- You may also want to see Lincoln Square and the Macon County Court house, the site where Lincoln argued cases. It includes the site of the old courthouse, the spot where Lincoln gave his first political speech, and statues.
- In the afternoon, by following route 51 you may travel to Vandalia, Illinois to see the Old State Capital Building where Lincoln was a legislator in the second Capital of the State of Illinois.
- There is also one of the Madonna of the Trail Statues that are found along the old national road.
If you need to go North to return home, the choices are different:
- You could see the Lincoln things at Decatur, Illinois explained above.
- Return East on Route 36 and turn north to go to Bement, Illiois where you will see the The Francis Bryant Cottage where Lincoln and Douglas planned the 1858 debates. Bryant was a close friend of Stepehen A. Douglas.
- Continue on to Monticello, Illinois where you can see one of the "Seven Wonders of Illinois." To see more about this park click here. The elegant and stately Allerton Park is an extraordinary mansion with remarkable formal gardens.
- Monticello also has some interesting old homes on State Street, which they also call "Millionaires Row."
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