Springfield, Ill.
Follow Abraham Lincoln’s path to the White House

During Abraham Lincoln’s 24 years in Springfield, Ill., he became a lawyer, entered the realm of politics and embarked on a path that would ultimately lead him to the White House. And in doing so, he left imposing footprints in this vibrant city that remain today.

Visitors today can still trace Lincoln’s distinguished life and career in Springfield, which contains the largest collection of Lincoln sites in the country. The city’s history is inexorably linked to the 16th president, with his home, law offices, tomb and the nearby village where he first studied law. In addition, the city offers a number of other interesting diversions and attractions to easily fill up a day tour or a weekend getaway.

Start your day tour with a visit to the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau to pick up maps and other tourist information. From Interstate 55 north, exit at Sixth Street and head north. Turn right on Madison Avenue and right again on Seventh Street to reach the bureau at 109 N. Seventh St. For more details, call (217) 789-2360 or 1-800-545-7300. Or visit the Web site www.visit-springfieldillinois.com.

Looking for Lincoln

Begin delving into the history of Lincoln at the $115-million Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex. The library portion of the building is a fitting home for the 12 million-item Illinois State Historical Library and its world-renowned Abraham Lincoln Collection, including the Gettysburg Address and an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. The expansive museum portion of the complex examines Lincoln’s amazing life before and during his presidency through a variety of high-tech interactive exhibits and re-creations. The museum is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and students with a school ID, and $4 for children 5–15. Call (217) 558-8844, or visit www.alplm.org.

Not far away is the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, which encompasses four city blocks and preserves the home and neighborhood in which Lincoln and his family lived. Originally constructed in 1839, the two-story structure has been restored to resemble the home as it looked when the Lincolns lived there from 1844–1861, complete with original and period furnishings. Guided tours are free daily, but visitors must pick up tickets at the nearby Lincoln Home Visitor Center at 426 S. Seventh St. Tours often fill up, so sign up for tickets early; each ticket indicates a specific tour time, and waiting times can range from 15 minutes to several hours. Hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Call (217) 492-4241, or visit www.nps.gov/liho.

The outsides of several homes surrounding the Lincoln home have been restored. A stroll through the area, which is closed to vehicle traffic, gives visitors the feel of Springfield in the 1850s.

About a block northeast of the home site, tour the Great Western Depot where Lincoln made his farewell address before leaving to assume the presidency. The depot, also known as the Lincoln Depot, contains restored waiting rooms and an exhibit area. It is open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. from April–August. For more details, call (217) 544-8695 or (217) 788-1356.

Continue examining Lincoln’s storied past at the Old State Capitol, where he gave his famous “House Divided” speech when he accepted the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate. Located a few blocks northwest of the Lincoln Home, the beautiful reconstructed building dates to 1837 and has been meticulously furnished. After his assassination in 1865, Lincoln’s body lay in state in the House of Representatives on the second floor. The building is open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. Call (217) 785-7960, or visit www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/old_capitol.htm.

Near the Old State Capitol, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices offer a look at where Lincoln practiced law from 1843–1852 with one of his partners, William Herndon. The law offices have been restored, along with the Federal Court that was in the building and an 1840s Post Office. Tours offer a glimpse into the legal practices of the mid-1800s. The office is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, call (217) 785-7289, or visit www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/Lincoln_herndon.htm.

Legal and political history are still being made in downtown Springfield at the Illinois State Capitol, located on the western edge of downtown. Visitors can watch lawmakers in action from a balcony when the legislature is in session and tour the stately structure, which was completed in 1888. Note the beautiful dome, the extreme point of which is a spectacular stained glass design of the state seal. For tour times, call (217) 782-2099.

In the Capitol complex, also visit the Illinois State Museum, which has an array of exhibits that examine the state’s natural and cultural history, including life-size dioramas of animals, Native American artifacts and hands-on children’s exhibits. Hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and noon– 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call (217) 782-7386, or visit www.museum.state.il.us.

For an even greater understanding of Lincoln, head about 20 miles northwest of Springfield on Highway 97 to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. Lincoln spent six years of his early adulthood living and working in New Salem in the 1830s and grew to “a man of purpose and destiny.” In New Salem, Lincoln worked, studied law and was elected legislator.

Visitors can stroll the paths of the reconstructed village and see working craftsmen. Costumed interpreters take on the characters of the people who lived there 175 years ago. Visitors will find log houses, workshops, stores and more. An outdoor amphitheater offers seasonal musical and dramatic performances. Hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday from March–October and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday from November– February. Call (217) 632-4000, or visit www.lincolnsnewsalem.com.

To see the final resting place of Lincoln, head northwest of downtown to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site in the cemetery, open daily, is marked by an inspiring monument and small sculptures of Lincoln at various stages of his life. Buried alongside Lincoln are his wife, Mary Todd, and three of their sons. For details, call (217) 782-2717.

Beyond Lincoln

Add another dimension to your tour at the Dana-Thomas House, a Midwestern architectural treasure. Located just south of downtown at 301 E. Lawrence Ave., the home is the best-preserved and most complete of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s early “Prairie” houses.

Springfield socialite Susan Lawrence Dana hired Wright to remodel her Victorian home in 1902, and his design is remarkable. Typical of his Prairie style, the home is characterized by low horizontal roofs, wide overhanging eaves and rows of art glass windows. The home features more than 100 pieces of Wright-designed furniture, original sculpture and 250 art glass doors, windows and light panels. For hours and more information, call (217) 782-6776, or visit www.dana-thomas.org.

Find more impressive architecture at the Executive Mansion, residence of the Illinois Governor. Located at Fifth and Jackson streets, the mansion is the third-oldest continuously occupied governor’s home in the nation. Tours highlight several formal parlors, a ballroom and the Lincoln bedroom. Tours are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.–11 a.m. and 2–3:15 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30–11 a.m. Call (217) 782-6450 for details or visit www.state.il.us/gov/mansion2.

To experience Springfield’s natural wonders, head to the Washington Park Botanical Garden, which features more than 1,200 species of plants. The park’s domed Conservatory has tropical foliage from Asia, Africa and South America. Hours are noon–4 p.m. Monday–Friday and noon–5 p.m. on Saturday–Sunday. Call (217) 753-6228, or visit www.springfieldparks.org.

Another park, Lincoln Memorial Garden, features six miles of wooded trails that guide visitors on a journey through the Illinois landscape Lincoln walked. Located on the shores of Lake Springfield, the 100-acre park is a living memorial to Lincoln. The garden is open daily sunup to sundown. The nature center is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and 1–4 p.m. on Sunday. Call (217) 529-1111, or visit www.lmgnc.org for details.

Near Lake Springfield, animal lovers will enjoy the Henson Robinson Zoo, which features more than 300 exotic and domestic animals on 14 garden-style acres. Call (217) 753-6217, or visit www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org.

The city is also home to a number of small museums. For instance, Edwards Place, an 1833 mansion, is headquarters for the Springfield Art Association and features a gallery and art school (217-523-2631). Other museums focus on the Civil War, the Illinois National Guard, fire fighters and archaeology. And youngsters will enjoy Knights Action Park, which has a driving range, miniature golf, drive-in theater, go-karts, a water park and more.

To get to Springfield from St. Louis, take Interstate 55 north about 94 miles. The approximate round-trip mileage is 200 miles.

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