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
Simeon Francis Home
169 N. 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.
Springfield Visitors Center
1 S Old State Capitol Plaza Springfield, Illinois 62701
Stop by to find all the information you need to help create your legendary experience in Springfield. One of our travel experts is available to help you with any of your questions. Parking passes are available for metered parking spaces – just ask! While you are there, be sure to see the installation of the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office as well as the U.S. Post Office, which was located in the building from 1841-1849. Located on the first floor of the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office across from the Old State Capitol.
Street Scape - East Side of Public Square
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.
Streetscapes - North Side of Public Square
526 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.
Streetscapes - South Side of Public Square
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.
Streetscapes - West Side of Public Square
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.
Strevell House
401 W. Livingston St. Pontiac, Illinois 61764
Among the many connections Pontiac has to Abraham Lincoln, one of the most interesting revolves around Lincoln's friendship with local attorney, Jason W. Strevell.
Strevell and Lincoln were close friends and shared many hours together in conversation. One of the most documented meetings between these two gentlemen occurred on the evening of January 27, 1860. Lincoln, earlier that day, accepted an invitation to speak to the Pontiac Young Men's Literary Society. He was in Bloomington for a trial and took an afternoon train to Pontiac. His speech was only a moderate success, and after the presentation, Lincoln went to the Strevell house to spend the night. Strevell and Lincoln stayed up late, talking about politics, slavery, and the other national and local issues of the day. During the course of the conversation, Strevell suggested that Lincoln might be selected as the Republican Party's presidential candidate at the upcoming party convention. Lincoln argued that he might be chosen as a vice-presidential candidate, but did not believe he would gain the top spot on the ticket.
As the conversation turned to less important topics, Strevell, who was six foot tall, said he did not believe that Lincoln was really 4 inches taller than himself. Lincoln offered to let himself be measured and stood in a doorway in his stocking feet while Strevell made a scratch in the door frame to mark Lincoln's height. Strevell then measured, from floor to the mark on the door frame, and found Lincoln to be exactly, 6 foot, 4 inches tall.
Stuart and Lincoln's Law Office
111 N 5th St, Springfield, IL 62701 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.
Surveyor Presidents
521 E. Washington 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.
The 1858 Senatorial Campagin
700 N. 4th St. Springfield, Illinois 62702
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.