Logan: Route 66, History and Nature

Historic Route 66 runs through Atlanta, Lincoln, Broadwell, and Elkhart in Logan County. In Atlanta, you’ll encounter road and architectural history; Lincoln was the first city named after Abraham Lincoln before his presidency. Other possible themes for a trip to Logan include parks, trails, and seasonal events.

Route 66 and Historic Sites

The U.S. Route 66/Illinois Route 4 Driving Exhibit in Atlanta preserves an original concrete roadway surface from 1924, designated Route 66 in 1926. The drivable section is about a quarter mile long and retains its original width of 18 feet. Its length and width, along with the two dates, give a concrete sense of this piece of road history without requiring a description of a long stretch.

Atlanta’s public library also connects architecture and Route 66: the octagonal limestone building dates from 1908 and lies along the 1926 Route 66 alignment. Another distinctive sight is the Bunyon Giant, a 19-foot Route 66 statue holding a hot dog. The J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator was built in 1904 and preserved as a museum in a restored wooden grain elevator. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; interior access is seasonal.

The Logan County Visitor Center/Historic Train Depot was built in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. A bronze statue there depicts Abraham Lincoln naming the town of Lincoln in 1853 with a watermelon. The depot is also an official stop on the Route 66 Passport for Logan County. The Mill Museum on Route 66 offers another connection to road and local history: it is housed in the original building of the Mill Restaurant, built in 1929.

Courthouses and History in Lincoln

The Postville Courthouse is a reconstruction of the original Logan County Courthouse, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. Visitors can take guided tours. The courthouse also includes Mary Todd's Medicinal Garden, which is especially featured during the summer months. The site therefore combines a reconstructed courthouse with a garden highlighted seasonally, offering two different kinds of visitor experiences.

In Lincoln, history is also tied to specific places. Downtown Lincoln is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it was added on December 24, 1985. Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1880 and added to the Register in 2004. The Heritage in Flight Museum at Logan County Airport features aviation and military exhibits covering all major military conflicts. Lincoln was also the first city named after Abraham Lincoln before his presidency.

The Mount Pulaski Courthouse adds another point in time: the building was constructed in 1848 and served as the Logan County seat from 1848 to 1855. Abraham Lincoln regularly argued cases in the second-floor courtroom. Guided tours of the reconstructed offices and courtroom are offered; check current visitor information before your trip. Visitors can also walk on the original floor associated with Lincoln and see what the courthouse may have looked like in the mid-19th century. The site’s history can thus be considered both through its former function and the visitor experience described here.

Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Activities

Creekside Park and Environmental Center covers 104 acres. Its features include restored tallgrass prairie, an insectarium, a greenhouse, native gardens, and a demonstration pond. The mix of natural areas and named facilities offers several different ways to explore the park if you’d like to include nature and environmental education in your trip alongside historic sites.

Edward R. Madigan State Park lies along Salt Creek south of Lincoln in Logan County and covers 974 acres. It has a 7-mile hiking and biking trail and a three-quarter-mile jogging trail. Canoeing is allowed on Salt Creek; access is via a ramp near the park’s northern boundary. Wildlife in the park includes deer, raccoons, pheasants, quail, rabbits, and hawks, among other species. The trail lengths and opportunity to canoe offer different ways to spend time in the park.

Kickapoo Creek Park covers 160 acres; about half is wooded, and Kickapoo Creek winds through the forest. The park has more than 10 miles of trails, including a paved trail for walking and biking. A playground, picnic areas, and reservable picnic pavilions round out the amenities. Since park facilities can change over time, check the condition of the facilities and pavilion availability before your visit, if needed.

Market, Festival, and Practical Information

The LMH Market is held on Saturdays from mid-May to mid-September in the Expo building at the Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln. The covered market hall offers access to fresh local produce; offerings may vary by season and vendor. Check the specific market dates before traveling to make sure the seasonal schedule fits your plans.

The Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival is a free annual event held at the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site and at the VFW on 5th Street in Lincoln; check the current dates and venues for the relevant year before your trip. The program includes woodcutting and wood-splitting contests for teams and amateurs. Traditional crafts, primitive cabins, tomahawk throwing, and corn-shucking demonstrations are also featured. Program events may vary from year to year; check the current dates and venues before your trip.

For getting around Lincoln, SHOW BUS operates a Limited Stop Service with central pickup locations. Check the routes before traveling. This lets you choose historic sites, parks, or seasonal offerings as the focus of your plans, then search more specifically for a hotel for your stay in Logan.

Discover more destinations: Hartsburg, New Holland, Lincoln, Warren County, Hancock County, Mchenry, Lee County, Edgar.

For the broader travel overview: Illinois.