The nation’s 16th President first laid eyes on Decatur in March of 1830 at the age of 21. Throughout the next three decades, the future President of the United States and the young city of Decatur would continually intersect. Decatur ultimately played a pivotal role in Lincoln’s political destiny.
Macon County Museum Complex
The museum and Prairie Village complex hosts an 1850's log house, 1860's one-room schoolhouse, the log courthouse where Abraham Lincoln tried several cases in the 1830's, and exhibits that highlight the history of Decatur/Macon County from the 1830's to the present day. (pictured at left)
Main & Merchant – Downtown Decatur
A statue of Lincoln commemorates the site of his important “Stump Speech” that propelled him into political prominence. (pictured at right)
Main Street Bank & Trust Parking Lot
130 N. Water Street, Decatur - A plaque marks the site of “The Wigwam” where Lincoln was nominated for President by John Palmer during the 1860 Illinois Republican Convention. Also introduced at this site was Richard Oglesby’s famed slogan, “Abe Lincoln, The Rail Splitter Candidate for President of 1860.”
Southwest Corner of Main and Main Streets – Downtown Decatur
A bronze monument marks the original site of the old log cabin courthouse where Lincoln tried five cases. The original building sits on the site of the Macon County Museum Complex.
Oglesby Mansion
421 W. William, Decatur - This historic Decatur landmark is the beautifully restored Victorian home of Richard J. Oglesby, a close friend of Lincoln.
(pictured at left)
Entrance to James Millikin Homestead, West Main Street, Decatur
A bronze circuit marker recalls Lincoln’s route through Decatur on the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
West Main Street
Front Lawn of Schilling Hall
Millikin University
Lincoln statue celebrating his arrival in Macon County at the age of 21.
(pictured at right)
Birks Museum - Gorin Hall - Millikin University Campus
On display are an 1851 Lincoln letter, bronze casts of Lincoln’s hands and a replica of a Lincoln life mask.
The Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park - Abraham Lincoln’s First Home in Illinois
The Lincoln Trail Homestead is the location of the first Lincoln family settlement in Illinois. Thomas Lincoln, his wife, step-son, two step-daughters and their husbands and children, along with young Abraham, lived in that location approximately twelve months. After an arduous winter of 1830-31, and illness in the family, Thomas Lincoln moved his family to Coles County, to the area now known as the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. Abraham did not accompany them, but remained in central Illinois to make his own way, and the rest, as they say, is history. The family’s coming to settle in central Illinois happened this way. (pictured at left)
