Visit Abraham Lincoln's home. ...
by CoachB
Visit Abraham Lincoln's home. This is the only home that he EVER owned. He moved straight from this house to the white one on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC. After that, unfortunately, he did not make it back. Get here early in the morning if possible, especially in the spring (April-May) when school groups tour all over the place. You get a ticket in the visitor's center to tour Lincoln's actual home. No ticket, no tour. The ticket is free, but at busy times, it can be stamped with a time a few hours off. If this happens, take a walk down the street and see the Civil War memento museum, or walk down capital street and turn north (right) on 6th to visit Lincoln's Law office and the Old State Capital -this walk is about 1/2 mile there and a 1/2 mile back to Lincoln's home.
Packing List
by CoachB
Family Travel Do you like to golf? The RAIL golf course is the home of the State Farm Ladies Golf tournament on Labor Day weekend. This is a public course, so bring your clubs and challenge yourself on the same course that the LPGA plays!
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
by deecat
If it were not for mobs of school children on Spring trips, I would have enjoyed New Salem Village much more. In addition, I was disappointed because we were unable to see the New Salem Saw-and Gristmill because of construction on the bridge that leads to it. In the mid-nineteenth century the SANGAMON RIVER ran next to the mill. But since that time, the river has changed its course and is now considerable distance to the east.
Also, Mickey and I were expecting many more costumed interpreters taking on the characters of the people who lived and worked in New Salem Village more than 150 years ago. I was told that financial cuts have caused woes for upkeep and for interpreters.
It was good, however, to see this pioneer village where Lincoln lived as a young adult for about six years. Almost all the buildings at this park are reconstructions, many built atop the real foundations from the early 1820's. The Onstot Cooper Shop is the only original building in the village.Sadly, only 2 years after Lincoln left town, nearby Petersburg gained the county seat which cased New Salem to dwindle and die.
Here in New Salem, you see life in an 1830s trading center where Lincoln worked as a clerk, a laborer, a merchant, a postmaster, and a suveyer before he focused exclusively on law and politics. Lincoln never owned a home here, but this reconstructed Village consists of 12 log houses, the Rutledge Tavern, ten workshops, stores, mills, and a school where church services were held.
The furnishings you will see include many articles actually used by the New Salem people of Lincoln's time; others date back to the same time period [donated to the state by the Old Salem Lincoln League].
PHOTOS:
1. A costumed interpreter working in garden outside Rutledge Tavern.
2. A horse inside a "split-rail" fence beside a log cabin.
3. Another costumed interpreter cooking at the Rutledge Tavern [an Inn and Hotel].
4. The first and failed store of Abraham Lincoln called "Berry-Lincoln Store".
5. Inside the Leather Shoemakers Shop.
Hours of Operation begin in April and are open from 9:am to 5 pm until the day after Labor Day, when the site will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Mario's Italian Restaurant...
by CoachB
Mario's Italian Restaurant 3073 E. Clearlake 523-2211
Cancun Mexican Restaurant 2849 S. 6th St. or in Sherman on business 55 in the Crossing. 753-0088
Hunan Chinese Restaurant 1101 W Wabash Av. 793-0999
All restaurants are in the 217 area code.
All three of these restaurants are sit-down type restaurants, yet all are family friendly. Mario's has a bar in front, but it is near the interstate and lots of families dine there. Most entrees run from $3 to $10. Very large pizzas are a little more.
Cancun is extremely reasonable in price as most entrees run again in the $3 to $10 range. The atmosphere is relaxed and family oriented, but you can get a drink if you want one.
Hunan has old world Chinese flavor to it, including hot tea and fortune cookies with your dinner. Prices are extremely reasonable when you see the huge quantity of food that you get for your money. Mario's has great pizza and Italian sausage sandwiches.
The Cancun has wonderful Mexican cuisine
The sweet and sour chicken is fabulous at the HUNAN.
The State Capitol
by Muya
The story of the State Capitol begins in 1867 with the authorization of construction. The capitol is the second build in Springfield and is also the 6th Capitol build in the State of Illinois. It was completed in 1888 but the first legislative session was held there in 1877. The growth of the state had increased the need for more file storage and office space than the Old State Capital allowed. It now houses the Illinois State legislature and constitutional offices. As a visitor, you are allowed to watch House and Senate proceedings from balcony level when the legislature is in session.
The complex includes the State Archives and State Library.
I found it nicely decorated inside, especially the ceiling that was really pretty and colorful. The dome contains more than 1000 pieces of glass and the light coming through it makes it so bright and beautiful !
Visit is free.
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-3pm; Closed New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.
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Union Station - Springfield IL
Firefighters Memorial
Lincoln's Tomb
Inside the Rutledge Tavern [Inn}
