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LINCOLN: LOGAN COUNTY
Walk Where Lincoln Walked, Cruise Route 66, County Fair, Balloon Festival
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incoln, the county seat of Logan County, is located near many urban areas. Springfield, Decatur and Bloomington-Normal are all less than 30 miles away, while Peoria and Champaign-Urbana are a short distance farther. More than 15,000 people call Lincoln
cana. Abraham Lincoln’s circuit court ride often took him through Logan County. In addition, he owned property in the county and formally christened Lincoln as the only town named for him prior to his presidency. Lincoln and Logan County also serve as the sites for what may be the longest segment of historic Route 66 that remains today. Route 66 is famed for serving as the nation’s Main Street during the golden age of the automobile. Lincoln also serves as Logan County’s shopping center, with a busy downtown and commercial artery lined with stores, restaurants and motels. A courthouse is the dominant building on the square. The square’s shops are now joined by a commercial area that reaches beyond the square to encompass more than 100 stores. Additional commerce has positioned itself close to the interstate highway on Lincoln’s west side, firmly establishing the community as the economic heart of Logan County, and one of its chief tourist attractions. For more information about Lincoln, call the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau at 217-732-8687, visit www.abe66.com or call the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce at 217-735-2385. 2012 Lincoln Calendar of Events Dates are subject to change. Please call ahead for specific information & additional activities.
Shown is the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the front of the Lincoln College Museum. The front of the statue reads "I shall prepare myself, someday my chance will come." home, and more than 1 million Illinoisans live within 60 miles of the city. Lincoln offers visitors a wide range of attractions, from the memories of simpler times found along historic Route 66 to strolling where Abraham Lincoln once walked. Lincoln and Logan County, with various ties to the man for whom the city was named, share two slices of Ameri-
July 31-August 5: Logan County Fair. For more information, visit www.logancountyfairil.com. August 24-26: Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival. Fun for the whole family at the Logan County Airport and in downtown Lincoln. For more information, call 217-735-2385 or visit www.lincolnillinois.com. September 1-October 31: Logan County Autumn Rural Scenic Drive. This drive will highlight agri-tourism sites throughout Logan County. For more information, call 217-732-8687 or visit abe66.com. September 14-16: Annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival at the Logan County Fairgrounds. An educational event for all ages that includes rail splitting, corn shucking, tomahawk throwing, pioneer village, historical displays, Lincoln presentations and more. For more information, visit www.railsplitting.com. December 1: Elkhart Chapel Candlelight Service in Elkhart, IL. Candlelight service to kick off the holiday season, followed by a meal at the Wild Hare Cafe. For more information, call 217-947-2238 or visit www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org.
2012 Discover Visitor & Vacation Guide To Central Illinois | PAGE 65