At Postville Courthouse, place and biography meet: Abraham Lincoln practiced law in the original Logan County Courthouse, whose reconstruction can now be seen as Postville Courthouse. Guided tours take visitors through this historical connection. The courthouse also features Mary Todd's Medicinal Garden, which is highlighted especially during the summer months. Those interested in Lincoln’s work as a lawyer will find a tangible way to connect with the region’s history here.
Courtroom History and Lincoln’s Life
Mount Pulaski Courthouse also connects the history of Logan County with Lincoln. The building was constructed in 1848 and served as the county seat from 1848 to 1855. Lincoln regularly pleaded cases in the courtroom on the second floor. On guided tours, visitors see the reconstructed offices and courtroom; they can also walk on the original floor associated with Lincoln. The building offers a glimpse of what a courthouse might have looked like in the mid-19th century. Together, Postville and Mount Pulaski tell different stories about his legal work: one is where he practiced law, the other a courtroom where he regularly pleaded cases.
Lincoln was the first city named after Abraham Lincoln before his presidency. Downtown Lincoln has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since December 24, 1985. Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church adds to this historical picture: it was built in 1880 and added to the register in 2004. The depot was built in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. A bronze statue depicts Abraham Lincoln baptizing the city of Lincoln with a watermelon in 1853. The Visitor Center is also an official stop on the Route 66 Passport for Logan County.
Route 66: Buildings and Unusual Landmarks
Historic Route 66 runs through Atlanta, Lincoln, Broadwell, and Elkhart in Logan County. In Atlanta, the 19-foot-tall Bunyon Giant is a reminder of the road: the statue is holding a hot dog. The public library is another notable historic building. The octagonal limestone building dates to 1908 and is located along the 1926 Route 66 alignment. The J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator was built in 1904 and preserved as a museum featuring a restored wooden grain elevator; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Interior access is seasonal.
The U.S. Route 66/Illinois Route 4 Driving Exhibit is an approximately quarter-mile-long drivable section with the original width of 18 feet. The concrete road surface dates to 1924; the section was designated Route 66 in 1926. The Mill Museum on Route 66 offers another look at the road’s history in the original building of the Mill Restaurant, built in 1929. At the Atlanta visitor center, you can also play original arcade games from the 1940s through the 1990s; visitor access is seasonal. The Heritage in Flight Museum at Logan County Airport features aviation and military exhibits.
Parks, Trails, and Nature
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll find parks with a range of highlights. Creekside Park and Environmental Center covers 104 acres and includes a restored tallgrass prairie, an insectarium, a greenhouse, native gardens, and a demonstration pond. Edward R. Madigan State Park is much larger at 974 acres and sits on Salt Creek south of Lincoln in Logan County. It has a 7-mile hiking and biking trail and a three-quarter-mile jogging trail. Canoeing is allowed on Salt Creek; access is via a ramp near the park’s northern boundary. Wildlife includes deer, raccoons, pheasants, quail, rabbits, and hawks, among other species.
About half of the 160-acre Kickapoo Creek Park is wooded, with Kickapoo Creek winding through the forest. More than 10 miles of trails include a paved path for walking and biking. A playground, picnic areas, and reservable picnic shelters round out the amenities. When choosing your outings, you can explore different natural settings, from prairie and garden areas to a larger park on Salt Creek and wooded trails along Kickapoo Creek.
Seasonal Markets and Events
The LMH Market takes place on Saturdays in the Expo Building at the Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln; the seasonal market runs from mid-May to mid-September. The covered market hall offers access to fresh produce from the region. Offerings and selection may vary by season and vendor. Check the dates before your trip.
The Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival is a free annual event at the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site and at the VFW on 5th Street in Lincoln. The program includes log-cutting and log-splitting competitions for teams and amateurs, along with traditional crafts, primitive cabins, tomahawk throwing, and corn husking demonstrations. Individual program items may vary from year to year; check dates and venues before your trip. SHOW BUS also operates a Limited Stop Service in Lincoln, with central pickup points. Check the routes before your trip.
Discover more destinations: New Holland, Lincoln, Hartsburg, Kankakee County, Union County, Knox County, Carroll County, Douglas County.
For the broader travel overview: Illinois.
