Lincoln, Illinois – Abe’s Namesake Town
Nestled in the heart of Illinois, the city of Lincoln stands as a unique testament to American history. This charming locale, the county seat of Logan County, holds the distinct honor of being the only town christened with the name of Abraham Lincoln before he ascended to the presidency. Beyond its presidential connection, Lincoln, Illinois, also boasts a significant place along the historic Route 66, adding another layer to its rich tapestry of heritage and Americana. The city is dotted with landmarks that whisper tales of bygone eras, making it a compelling destination for history buffs and Route 66 enthusiasts alike.
The story of Lincoln, Illinois, begins in the 1830s when settlers began to recognize the area’s potential. Its geographic advantages were clear: it was easily accessible to the Kickapoo, Salt, and Sugar Creeks, providing vital water sources. Furthermore, the region teemed with wildlife, offering sustenance and resources to the burgeoning community. By 1835, Russell Post, an enterprising pioneer, established a settlement known as Postville. Its growth was steady, and by 1839, Postville had sufficiently expanded to be designated the county seat of Logan County. This marked a turning point, necessitating the construction of a formal courthouse.
In 1840, a simple yet dignified frame courthouse was erected in the Federal style. This building served as the central hub of Logan County’s administrative and legal affairs. Within its walls, offices were established for crucial figures such as the sheriff, coroner, recorder, surveyor, county clerk, commissioners, and justice of the peace. Citizens flocked to this new center to fulfill their civic duties – paying taxes, registering property deeds, reporting stray livestock, and conducting legal business within the jurisdiction of the circuit court. The courthouse became the lifeblood of the community, a place where the law and the people intersected.
Meanwhile, a young and ambitious lawyer named Abraham Lincoln was making his mark in Illinois. After passing the bar in 1836, Lincoln relocated to Springfield in 1837, where he entered into a junior partnership with John T. Stuart. Like many attorneys of his time, Lincoln practiced as a circuit lawyer, traveling extensively to serve communities too small to support a resident attorney. It’s highly probable that Lincoln handled civil cases in Logan County during this period. However, the specifics of his legal work in the county remain largely obscured, as court records were tragically destroyed in a fire in 1857. Despite the loss of these historical documents, it’s widely believed that Lincoln’s experiences and work in Logan County significantly contributed to his burgeoning legal career, laying a foundation for his future political success.
The ebb and flow of fortune saw Postville lose its status as the county seat in 1848, when it was transferred to Mt. Pulaski, a town situated approximately 11 miles to the southeast. Consequently, Postville entered a period of decline. However, the winds of change shifted once again with the arrival of the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1853. The railway tracks were laid about a mile east of the original Postville settlement. This proved to be a catalyst for growth, as a new community quickly emerged near the railroad line, drawn by the promise of commerce and connectivity.
The developers of this new town – Robert Latham, the Logan County Sheriff; John D. Gillett, a prominent cattleman; and Virgil Hickox, a director of the railroad – recognized the significance of their venture. Seeking to lend prestige and recognition to their burgeoning community, they approached Abraham Lincoln with a proposition. As a respected attorney and, notably, also the railroad’s attorney, they asked for his consent to name the town in his honor. Lincoln, known for his humility and perhaps a touch of self-deprecating humor, reportedly agreed but cautioned, "You’d better not do that, for I never knew anything named Lincoln that amounted to much." Despite his reservations, the town officially became Lincoln, Illinois on August 27, 1853, in a christening ceremony performed by Lincoln himself, using the juice of a watermelon – a fittingly folksy and memorable occasion.
The first public sale of lots in Lincoln, Illinois, took place on August 29, 1853. Abraham Lincoln himself journeyed from Springfield by train, accompanied by a throng of prospective buyers eager to invest in the new town. The sale was a success, with 90 lots being purchased at prices ranging from $40 to $150. The new town thrived, rapidly expanding and eventually encompassing the site of old Postville. In 1855, Lincoln regained the coveted position of county seat, reclaiming it from Mt. Pulaski. A new courthouse was constructed in 1858 to accommodate the growing needs of the county. The original Postville Courthouse was sold for $300 to Solomon Kahn, who repurposed the building, first as a store and later as a post office. Over the decades, the old courthouse eventually became a private residence, its original purpose fading into history.
The spirit of progress and innovation extended beyond infrastructure. In early 1865, Lincoln University, a private four-year liberal arts college, was founded. This institution holds the distinction of being the first educational establishment named after Abraham Lincoln and, significantly, the only one to be named during his lifetime. In 1929, the university transitioned into a community college, offering two-year degrees and adopting the name Lincoln College. This institution continues to operate to this day, providing educational opportunities and contributing to the intellectual life of the community.
Further expanding the social and institutional landscape of Lincoln, Illinois, the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children was established in 1877. This large Victorian Gothic Revival building, situated on a sprawling 40-acre campus, became a major employer in the city. Over time, the institution expanded, with several additional buildings constructed in the Georgian and Tudor styles of architecture. The asylum became largely self-sufficient, boasting its own power plant, farm, kitchen, bakery, hospital, nursing school, greenhouses, fire department, and even a jail. Residents of the asylum contributed to its operations in various ways, making mattresses, shoes, and brooms, caring for other residents, maintaining the campus grounds, and working in the laundry. During the Great Depression, the facility’s purpose became somewhat blurred, housing not only individuals with developmental disabilities but also those who were simply impoverished and committed due to their circumstances.
In 1954, the institution’s name was changed to the Lincoln State School. Overcrowding became a significant issue, with the facility housing as many as 5,700 residents at its peak. In subsequent years, the resident population gradually decreased, and by 1971, the school housed approximately 2,600 residents. In 1975, the name was again changed, this time to the Lincoln Developmental Center. In 1978, the farm annex was closed and repurposed as the Lincoln Correctional Center.
By the year 2000, the Lincoln Developmental Center housed just 383 residents, with a staff of 698. However, the facility’s history took a dark turn, and it was ultimately closed in 2002 by Governor George Ryan amidst reports of abuse, neglect, and preventable deaths. The Governor cited four safety-related incidents involving patients as the primary reason for his decision. However, employee and parent groups argued that the incidents were minor, not representative of the institution as a whole, and did not pose life-threatening conditions. They challenged the closure in court but ultimately lost their case in September 2002. Since then, the old facilities have remained vacant, used primarily for training exercises by the state police and the correctional facility.
Initially, farming formed the cornerstone of Lincoln’s economy. However, the discovery and development of coal mines in the area led to a significant economic shift. As the mining industry grew, numerous new businesses emerged to support the community, providing hardware, building materials, food, and professional services.
In 1905, a new three-story domed Logan County Courthouse, constructed of stone, was built in Lincoln, Illinois. The 1858 courthouse had fallen into disrepair and was deemed unsalvageable. The main road in Logan County, initially known as the Springfield Stage Road, ran parallel to the railroad tracks. In 1918, it became State Route 4, and in 1926, it was designated as Route 66, ushering in an era of auto courts, restaurants, and service stations to cater to the growing number of travelers along the iconic highway.
In August 1929, automobile magnate Henry Ford purchased the old Postville courthouse and its one-block site for $8,000. Ford’s intention was to dismantle the structure, transport the pieces to Michigan, and reconstruct it as a Lincoln memorial at his Greenfield Village in Dearborn. By the end of September, the old courthouse had been completely dismantled, and every stone had been removed. The Postville Courthouse was meticulously rebuilt in time for the grand opening of Greenfield Village on October 29, 1929, and it continues to stand there today.
After dismantling the original courthouse, Henry Ford generously donated the block to the Logan County Historical Society to be used as a park. However, the block remained vacant for two decades. During Lincoln’s centennial celebration in 1953, the city of Lincoln presented the block to the State of Illinois as the first step in creating a Lincoln memorial. The state soon began constructing a replica courthouse on the original site. In 1956, a local museum collection was installed on the first floor, and the second floor was furnished as a mid-19th-century courtroom and offices. Today, the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site stands at 914 Fifth Street, preserving the memory of this significant piece of history.
The century-old Logan County Courthouse still stands proudly on the square in downtown Lincoln, Illinois, surrounded by stores and restaurants that evoke a sense of its vintage past. This courthouse is one of the few historic courthouses in the state that continues to serve its original purpose. Visitors are encouraged to explore the numerous repainted old advertisements and murals adorning Lincoln’s downtown buildings, offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past.
Lincoln, Illinois is also home to the Lincoln College Museum, which houses a substantial collection of Lincoln artifacts and memorabilia.
Route 66 runs through the heart of the town, offering visitors a taste of the bygone era. At the corner of Woodlawn and Lincoln Parkway once stood the Tropics restaurant and lounge, which opened in 1950. Built by Vince Schwenoha, the restaurant’s design was inspired by the palm trees of California, reflected in the iconic sign he erected. The Tropics changed hands in 1955 when Lew and Bev Johnson took over, running it for over 40 years. Despite their success, the Johnsons faced numerous challenges, including fires in 1965 and 1975, as well as the decline of Route 66 following the construction of Interstate 55. The Tropics experienced several closures and reopenings before closing permanently in 2004. The building remained vacant and abandoned for years until it was sold in 2014, and the sign was removed and safely stored. The original structure was demolished in April 2017 to make way for a new McDonald’s restaurant. However, the historic neon sign was preserved, restored, and now stands fully lit at its original location. Some of the Tropics’ vintage memorabilia can still be seen at the Mill Museum.
The Mill Museum, located at 738 Washington, is housed in what was once known as the Old Mill Restaurant, famous for its schnitzel shortly after opening in 1929. Family-owned and operated, the Old Mill served thousands of Route 66 travelers until its closure in 1996. Over the years, the building deteriorated, and in 2005, it was slated for demolition. However, a "save-the-mill" campaign began the following year, and renovations commenced in 2007.
Today, Lincoln, Illinois is home to approximately 14,500 residents. Route 66 travelers can continue their journey down the historic highway, passing through the small towns of Broadwell, Elkhart, and Williamsville.