Two American icons intersect in the heart of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area: Abraham Lincoln and America's mother road Route 66. Traversing the state of Illinois from Chicago to St. Louis, Route 66 winds its way through communities where Lincoln worked, gave stump speeches, and lived. From North to South, the communities of Pontiac, Bloomington, Atlanta, Lincoln, Elkhart, and Springfield tell the stories of Lincoln's life and times and historic Route 66.
Besides the sites that are directly on Route 66 noted below, 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
Lincoln's Landscape
2301 E. Lake Shore Dr. Springfield, Illinois 62712
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.
Lincoln's Landscape
2424 E. Lake Shore Dr. Springfield, Illinois 62712
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.
Lincoln's Last Law Office
1 W 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.
Lincoln's Lincoln (Christening Scene)
451 Broadway St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
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.
Lincoln's Real Estate
NE Corner of Jefferson and McLean Streets Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Lincoln not only spent a considerable amount of time in Bloomington pursuing legal and political matters, He also owned property here. Lincoln owned two lots on the Northwest corner of McLean and Jefferson streets and they remained vacant while under his name. Not long after he sold them, an upper middle class house was built on the site. That house is gone and today, Lincoln's two Bloomington lots serve as parking for State Farm insurance.
Lincoln's Springfield
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.
Lincoln-Era Fire Companies
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.
Logan County Courthouse
601 Broadway St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
Built in 1905, this 3 story, stone, domed structure is the historic icon and center of the Downtown District of Lincoln. It still remains the active courthouse and Logan County Seat.
Lincoln Rallies the People Statue and Interpretative Panel- This statue and panel were erected in 2015 to commemorate the speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln on October 16, 1858 on the Courthouse lawn. This speech took place during his campaign for U.S. Senate, the day after the final Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Alton, IL
Logan County Tourism Bureau/ Historic Train Station
101 N. Chicago St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
The Logan County Tourism Bureau/Visitor Center is uniquely positioned in Downtown Lincoln, at the Historic Train Depot. The Depot was built in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. Back in the mid-late 19th Century the City of Lincoln was a hub for the train. This depot replaced the original one that was built in 1853. It acted as a train station until most of the building was closed to the public in 1972.
Today, when you visit the Bureau office and Visitor Center, you can learn about all that Logan County has to offer and see. Also on display in the Depot is a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln christening the town with a watermelon in 1853, as well as replica lifecastings of his hands. Head outside on the South lawn, to the Lincoln Christening Site, where you can read more about Abraham Lincoln, his connection to the City of Lincoln, and this historic event for the City of Lincoln.
Mary Lincoln's Family
326 S. 7th 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.