Discover the fascinating Lincoln sites along America’s historic route!
Abraham Lincoln extensively traveled Illinois as a prairie lawyer and politician, winding his way through the landscape of Illinois. You are invited to discover the many sites that connect to this historic figure within the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
The 100th anniversary of Route 66 is the perfect opportunity to discover the historic and scenic byway that will lead you on a drive of discovery, with attractions and sites steeped in the history of Lincoln’s journeys.A listing of Lincoln communities and sites that are along Route 66 are noted, with a full listing in the map below.
Download a brochure about Lincoln communities along Route 66 here.
JOLIET
204 N. Ottawa St, Joliet, IL
www.jolietmuseum.org
Start your Illinois adventure with a stop at the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center. Photo-ops, information, and local history displays make for a worthwhile visit. The museum was honored as the Museum of the Year at the Illinois Association of Museums in 2025. Nearby, don’t miss the Old Joliet Prison, as seen in movies like The Blues Brothers.
PONTIAC
115 West Howard St, Pontiac, IL
www.visitpontiac.org
A Lincoln statue downtown makes the perfect family photo, and special roadside exhibits around town bring alive the Lincoln story. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum features memorabilia from the glory days of Route 66, with a special photo-op out back designed specifically for your car. Don’t miss the nearby Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum and the Museum of the Gilding Arts.
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL
200 North Main St, Bloomington, IL
www.visitbn.org
Begin your visit at the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop in the gorgeous McLean County Museum of History, with the iconic Lincoln bench out front for pics! Lincoln’s friend, David Davis, helped Lincoln to the presidency, and his legendary David Davis Mansion is open for tours. Don’t miss the Lincoln Wayside Signs highlighting Lincoln’s connections.
ATLANTA
114 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL
www.atlantamuseum.org
This small town offers a big punch along Route 66! The Atlanta Public Museum brings to life Lincoln’s connections to the community, which was home to one of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations in Illinois. The American Giants Museum tells the story of the kitschy and quirky “Muffler Man/Bunyan Giant” statues that sprang up in the 1960s as advertising gimmicks across the USA, and are now an iconic favorite all along Route 66.
LINCOLN
101 N Chicago St, Lincoln, IL
www.destinationlogancountyil.com
The World Largest Covered Wagon is in the running for the quirkiest of Lincoln attractions on 66! A highlight is The Lincoln Heritage Museum, a top Lincoln museum in the country. The city was christened by the man himself using watermelon juice, and a memorial to this iconic event can be found downtown outside the tourism office.
SPRINGFIELD
109 N. Seventh St, Springfield, IL
www.visitspringfieldillinois.com
A “don’t-miss” community! One must stop to visit the Lincoln Home, The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln Tomb, and Old State Capitol, all on or near Route 66. Plus, see iconic 66 stops like the Cozy Dog Drive-In, Motorheads, The Illinois State Fair Route 66 Experience, and Mel-O-Cream Donuts. Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning Dana Thomas House is one of his premier residential projects, and is ‘wright’ near 66!
LITCHFIELD
334 Historic Route 66 North, Litchfield, IL
www.litchfieldmuseum.org
Litchfield is the perfect jumping-off point to discover Lincoln in south-central Illinois. The Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center is the perfect stop, with the famous Ariston Restaurant and Jubelt’s Bakery across the street. In nearby Hillsboro, visitors can learn about Lincoln’s personal and business friends. The historic community of Alton features the Lincoln-Douglas Square debate site raising Lincoln to a national figure, and the iconic Elijah Lovejoy Monument recognizing Lovejoy’s role in early emancipation efforts leading to the U.S. Civil War.
Route 66 promotion funding is provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
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Besides the sites that are directly on Route 66, there are excellent half-day side trips not too far off the Mother Road. These include:
Lincoln's New Salem, Petersberg, Illinois
This historic village of cabins lies about 20 miles northwest of Springfield, and is a peek into Lincoln's early life in Illinois.
Alton, Illinois; Rivers & Routes
This historic community along the intersection of the mighty Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers has long been an important location of Illinois early history, as well as the nation. Many historic and natural sites are waiting to be explored.
To learn more about Route 66 in Illinois visit the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway website.
Lincoln Sites Along Route 66 in Illinois
Route 66 Sites
Curran's Jewelry Shop
1 S. Old State Capitol Plaza Springfield, Illinois 62701
View over 40 outdoor interpretive exhibits placed throughout the downtown area to experience Springfield as Abraham Lincoln knew it. Each exhibit is intended to capture a moment in time for Lincoln and how he was affected by the people, places and events he encountered in his hometown. Each story is accompanied by graphics or photographs and a medallion that is symbolic of that particular story. Visitors are encouraged to collect rubbings of each medallion.
David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
1000 E. Monroe Drive Bloomington, Illinois 61701
A visit to Judge David Davis' estate offers a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and powerful of his day. Davis, friend and mentor to Abraham Lincoln, served as a United States Supreme Court Justice and was a key contributor during Lincoln's bid for the 1860 Presidential nomination. The Davis Mansion, completed in 1872, combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste. His Bloomington home, which remained in the Davis family for three succeeding generations, provided a focal point for the social, cultural and political life of the community. The mansion contains elegant furnishings and the most modern conveniences of the era. Call or visit the website for more information.
Edwards Place Historic Home
700 N. 4th St. Springfield, Illinois 62702
Your visit to Edwards Place will include a guided tour through the newly-restored first and second floor. The home is interpreted to 1857 and furnished with wonderful examples of Victorian furniture, including many pieces that belonged to the Edwards family. You will also see the authentic "Lincoln Courting Couch" from the parlor of the Ninian Edwards home where Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd were married and a piano that was likely played at their wedding.
Elijah Iles House & The Museum of Springfield
628 S 7th St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
Standing as the oldest surviving home in Springfield, the house was home to Springfield's first merchant and a friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln. Iles served with Lincoln in the Blackhawk War of 1832, and helped Lincoln secure the state capital's move from Vandalia to Springfield.
Be sure to check out the lower lever and see the "Farrell & Ann Gay Museum of Springfield History: Illinois Watch Company." The Illinois Watch Co. is one of the more interesting chapters from the city’s past. From 1870 - 1932, the company produced high-quality railroad watches in its sprawling factory at 9th St. and North Grand Ave. It was also a well-known maker of pocket and wristwatches.
Florville's Barber Shop
623 E. Adams Street Springfield, Illinois 62701
View over 40 outdoor interpretive exhibits placed throughout the downtown area to experience Springfield as Abraham Lincoln knew it. Each exhibit is intended to capture a moment in time for Lincoln and how he was affected by the people, places and events he encountered in his hometown. Each story is accompanied by graphics or photographs and a medallion that is symbolic of that particular story. Visitors are encouraged to collect rubbings of each medallion.
Globe Tavern
281 E. Adams St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
View over 40 outdoor interpretive exhibits placed throughout the downtown area to experience Springfield as Abraham Lincoln knew it. Each exhibit is intended to capture a moment in time for Lincoln and how he was affected by the people, places and events he encountered in his hometown. Each story is accompanied by graphics or photographs and a medallion that is symbolic of that particular story. Visitors are encouraged to collect rubbings of each medallion.
Great Western Depot
930 E. Monroe St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
Restored 1852 train depot, from which President-Elect Abraham Lincoln departed for Washington D.C. on February 11, 1861. Lincoln gave one of his most memorable speeches from the back of a train at this location.
When Lincoln left his hometown as president-elect, he paid an unforgettable tribute to his friends and neighbors known today as the Farewell Address. Lincoln gave these remarks as he boarded a special inaugural train at the Great Western Railroad Depot. Located just two blocks from the Lincoln Home.
The Depot is also home to a wayside exhibit that helps interpret the important activities that happened at this location. View over 40 outdoor interpretive exhibits placed throughout the downtown area to experience Springfield as Abraham Lincoln knew it. Each exhibit is intended to capture a moment in time for Lincoln and how he was affected by the people, places and events he encountered in his hometown. Each story is accompanied by graphics or photographs and a medallion that is symbolic of that particular story. Visitors are encouraged to collect rubbings of each medallion.
Illinois Central R.R.
907 E. Grove Street Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Today, the old Illinois Central tracks through Bloomington-Normal serve as the centerpiece for a thirteen-plus mile hiking and biking network known as the Constitution Trail. On May 3, 1853, the Galena-Cairo branch of the Illinois Central Railroad reached Bloomington. For Lincoln, the rapidly expanding network of rail lines throughout central Illinois and beyond played a prominent role in his burgeoning legal practice and political career. Lincoln was hardly the backwoods barrister of popular myth. In fact, he was successful and well-paid attorney whose clients included the Illinois Central Railroad, a corporate.behemoth of its day.
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.
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
110 W Howard Street Pontiac, Illinois 61764
The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum is the repository for thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia from the glory days of the Mother Road.
Come learn the history of Route 66 in Illinois, see images of the road's wonderful history, and hear a few great stories about life in America when Route 66 was the most important highway in the nation.
Illinois State Military Museum
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. Springfield, Illinois 62702
Preserving the heritage of the Illinois National Guard, the museum is committed to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting the military artifacts associated with the citizen-soldier of Illinois. The exhibit includes rare items such as the artificial leg of Mexican General Santa Anna, a target board shot at by President Lincoln, as well as vehicles, weapons, uniforms, equipment and photographs.
Lincoln The Leader Wayside Exhibit is at this location.
The Citizen-Soldier exhibit features the military experiences of famous Illinois soldiers such as Carl Sandburg, Robert McCormick, John A. Logan and Abraham Lincoln.