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Itineraries
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| Right Off I-55 and an easy drive from Chicago |
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Bloomington Hub Tour
Home to David Davis, Lincoln's friend and mentor
Using the City of Bloomington, which is only 140 miles and just under 2 hours from downtown Chicago, as a starting and ending point each day, travelers can easily reach sites in Lincoln, Mt. Pulaski, Decatur, Springfield, Petersburg and Elkhart. Many are conveniently located right off I-55 and Route 54
DAY ONE:
First stop: The DAVID DAVIS MANSION HISTORIC SITE. This beautifully restored Victorian mansion tells the story of David Davis who was a close friend, mentor and political ally of Lincoln. Second Stop: The MCLEAN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY, which contains a variety of exhibits highlighting the history of the county. Approximate tour time: Davis Mansion 60 minutes. Museum 45 minutes.
Take I-55 south to Lincoln (30 miles). First stop: The POSTVILLE COURTHOUSE STATE HISTORIC SITE. This is a reproduction of the original 1840’s courthouse where Lincoln frequently tried cases. Second stop: The LINCOLN COLLEGE MUSEUM, which houses a major collection of original Lincoln artifacts and documents. Last stop: An interpretive exhibit which describes Lincoln christening the city with a watermelon. Approximate tour time: 1-˝ hours
Take Rt. 121 to Mt Pulaski (15 miles). The MT. PULASKI COURTHOUSE STATE HISTORIC SITE is only one of two surviving 8th Judicial Circuit Courthouses. Across from the Courthouse is the MT. PULASKI COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND WELCOME CENTER. Both buildings are located on a beautiful small downtown square with an excellent restaurant and several shops. Approximate tour time: 45 minutes.
Take Rt. 54 to Rt. 51 back to Bloomington (48 miles)
DAY TWO:
Take Rt. 51 to Decatur (50 miles). Visit the MACON COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM COMPLEX, which includes a museum, a video history of Lincoln in Macon County, the Mueller Gun Shop, a one-room school, a smith shop, a railroad depot, print shop and a log courthouse in which Lincoln practiced law. Self Guided Tour. Approximate tour time: 1-˝ hours.
From Decatur take I-72 west to Springfield (35 miles). First Stop:The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, combines high-tech exhibits, interactive displays, and two special effects theatres. Next stop: The LINCOLN HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, situated in a four-block area that includes the only home that Lincoln ever owned plus several other restored buildings containing exhibits. Next Stop: The LINCOLN HERNDON LAW OFFICES STATE HISTORIC SITE, located within walking distance in downtown Springfield. Lincoln practiced law here from 1834 to 1852. Across from the Law Offices is the OLD STATE CAPITOL STATE HISTORIC SITE, a beautiful recreation of the statehouse as it was during Lincoln’s years here and the site of the famous “House Divided” speech. The nearby LINCOLN DEPOT tells the story of Lincoln’s trip from Springfield to Washington, as the country is moving toward war. Finally north of the downtown area is the LINCOLN TOMB STATE HISTORIC SITE where Lincoln, his family with the exception of Robert is buried. The Tomb is located in historic Oak Ridge Cemetery. Approximate tour times: Between 2 and 5 hours.
Take Route 97 (25 miles) to the NEW SALEM STATE HISTORIC SITE. Lincoln spent 6 years of his life in New Salem. This log village contains 23 buildings. Costumed interpreters help to bring frontier life of the early 1830’s alive for visitors. During the summer, Theatre in the Park performs regularly scheduled outdoor performances. New Salem is in a 700-acre park with a restaurant and camping available. Approximate tour time of the site: 1-˝ hours.
Petersburg, a good place to eat and shop, is a small community that is a short 2-mile drive from New Salem. The cemetery in Petersburg contains the grave of Anne Rutledge, purportedly Lincoln’s first love.
From Petersburg take Route 123 to I-55 and north to Bloomington.
OPTIONAL THIRD DAY:
Galesburg is an easy 85 mile drive on I-74 from Bloomington. Galesburg is the home of KNOX COLLEGE the only original Lincoln Douglas debate site in existence. It is also the birthplace of Carl Sandburg, a poet known for his Lincoln biography. The CARL SANDBURG STATE HISTORIC SITE is a modest three-room cottage where he was born. The drive to Galesburg takes you through Peoria. A beautiful city set on the Illinois River with a vibrant river-front and many excellent visitor amenities
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