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
_________________________
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
Mary Lincoln's Ring
131 S. 5th St. Springfield, Illinois 62712
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.
Masonic Hall
5th St. & Monroe 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.
McLean County Museum of History
200 N. Main Street Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Hear stories of the people and landscape of McLean County through the years – including those who would have been Lincoln’s contemporaries inside the beautiful old courthouse. Discover the “Abraham Lincoln in McLean County” exhibit examining Lincoln’s work as an attorney in McLean County and on the Illinois Eighth Judicial Circuit. It defines Lincoln’s pivotal role in the anti-slavery movement and explores his last connections with the people of McLean County.
Miller Davis Buildings
66 E. Front St. Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Lincoln frequented the law offices of David Davis and the bank owned by Asahel Gridley
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.
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza Springfield, Illinois 62701
“A house divided against itself cannot stand...” These immortal words were spoken by Abraham Lincoln in the historic Old State Capitol Hall of Representatives in the turbulent days preceding the Civil War. He tried several hundred cases in the Supreme Court, borrowed books from the state library, and read and swapped stories with other lawyers and politicians in the law library. On May 3 & 4, 1865, Mr. Lincoln’s body lay in state in Representatives Hall as a crowd estimated at 75,000 filed past to pay their last respects.
Political Rallies
223 S 6th 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.
Pontiac's Guiding Spirit
200-248 N Vermillion Street Pontiac, Illinois 61764
Located at Fell Park - 200 Block North Vermillion Street - Across from the Depot
Postville Courthouse State Historic Site
914 5th St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
Postville Courthouse is a reproduction of Logan County’s first seat of government. Constructed in 1840, the original building until 1848 was one of the courts in which Abraham Lincoln argued cases while traveling the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit. Long after being converted to residential use, the original courthouse was purchased by Henry Ford and in 1929 moved to his Dearborn, Michigan, Greenfield Village museum. This replica was constructed in 1953 on the original site as part of the city of Lincoln’s centennial celebration.
Republican Wigwams
611 E. Monroe 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.
Riverbank Debate
221 Mill Street Pontiac, Illinois 61764
East Side of Mill Street at Mill Street Bridge