Fufilling a life long dream to see the back roads of the "Land of Lincoln" I will be leaving in a few days in my truck camper with my trusted four legged companion "Peggy Schuyler Hamilton".

I have often debated which do I want to do first, visit the Lincoln/douglas debate sites and all points in between or travel the 8th judicial circuit.

Difficult choice for me. The debate sites are special, but I think you could learn a lot about Lincoln by travelling the circuit. Thoughts?

Going to sleep on it and head out shortly. It will be a long ride from Texas but one that I am looking forward to.

Next note may be way of Egypt around Jonesboro!

(08-06-2021 05:15 PM)mbgross Wrote:  Difficult choice for me. The debate sites are special, but I think you could learn a lot about Lincoln by travelling the circuit. Thoughts?

Wow, tough choice, Mike. I think you can learn a lot by doing both. Can you kindly make a post about your trip when you are done?

P.S. Mike, for some reason I thought you lived in Michigan (?)

I've always wanted to travel the Eighth Circuit, probably because I've read more about it than I have the Lincoln Douglas debates.
There is a Lincoln Douglas debate museum in Charleston, in the Eighth Circuit. We were going to plan a visit through some of this area (Charleston & Matoon, Coles County) this fall for our Springfield Tour, but the uncertainty of the latest virus outbreak has put our plans on hold. Visiting Lincoln, IL has been one of my favorite stops.

I do know that New Salem in Petersburg allows dogs in the park and there is a campground with electrical hookup right next door.
Mike, I'll send you a Private Message.

Great thing to do! My kind of traveling and exploring! Enjoy!

Roger- will defintely give you a post or two. I'll give you the good, the bad, and the ugly!


Gene- I would love to go to Lincoln, Il. Isn't that the only city named for him before he was president? Did he survey it? And didn't he christen it with a watermelon!!!!!


Eva- All I can say is WOW! What adventures you have done! The memories! I'm afraid my little trip pales in comparsion. what stories you must have!

(08-07-2021 07:41 PM)mbgross Wrote:  Roger- will defintely give you a post or two. I'll give you the good, the bad, and the ugly!


Gene- I would love to go to Lincoln, Il. Isn't that the only city named for him before he was president? Did he survey it? And didn't he christen it with a watermelon!!!!!


Eva- All I can say is WOW! What adventures you have done! The memories! I'm afraid my little trip pales in comparsion. what stories you must have!

Tuscany and Egypt were, Andalucia, too, but Norway was a nightmare due to one week of 24/7 heavy rain at almost freezing temps (in August)! Since I am forever done with cold countries, with rainy countries and with "cold" mountains.
I don't think your trip pales, I'd love to do it!! Camping truck sounds quite large and comfy (other than a tent) and yet adventurous!

Mike, I imagine it would be easier and less rushed to visit the towns of the debates.
The number of towns on the 8th circuit seem quite numerous . And I doubt that you'd be able to follow the same route that Lincoln used.
An option would be to do the debate towns and, where convenient, detour to a nearby town that was on the 8th circuit.

( A strategy known as "having two bob each way "
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10....160-e-3209 )

(08-07-2021 07:41 PM)mbgross Wrote:  Roger- will defintely give you a post or two. I'll give you the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Gene- I would love to go to Lincoln, Il. Isn't that the only city named for him before he was president? Did he survey it? And didn't he christen it with a watermelon!!!!!

Eva- All I can say is WOW! What adventures you have done! The memories! I'm afraid my little trip pales in comparsion. what stories you must have!

Mike - Yes, Yes and Yes
Here is an excellent web site for Lincoln Illinois, full of history about the community and Abraham Lincoln by forum member D Leigh Henson
https://findinglincolnillinois.com/alinc...hristening

If you only have time for two sites in Lincoln, try to visit the State Bank Of Lincoln/Heartland Bank, Bank lobby displays signed copies of Abraham Lincoln life masks by Leonard Volk and original artwork by Lloyd Ostendorf.
and The Lincoln Heritage Museum - https://museum.lincolncollege.edu/

Just got back from the “Land of Lincoln”!

Aussie Mick, I took your advice and went with the Debate route, and I am glad I did.

Roger you were right when you said I would learn many things. There is no substitute for getting a feel and understanding for history as to be there, where the history happened.

I will not bore you with all I learned as most of you already know 100 times more than me. It was fun learning about Lincoln’s associates and friends.

Two places off the debate route sites I enjoyed was Pittsfield with all the Nicolay and Hay stuff and all the original buildings, and Mount Pleasant, IA at the Harlan-Lincoln home.

Most moving/spiritual place I visited? Elijah Lovejoy monument and his grave at Alton. Going to Carl Sandburg’s home and Remembrance Rock in Galesburg, was special too, because my fascination with Lincoln started with Sandburg’s works.

The biggest treat was the people of Illinois. Without exception that treated me in the friendliest and kindness manner. One person who is a frequent contributor to these pages gave me his phone # and said if I needed anything to give him a call! A perfect stranger! Then, there was the construction worker who was helping tear out the brick sidewalk around Knox College. We sort of clicked in the short time we talked. He had a terrible hard luck story but had an optimism that was contagious. As I was leaving, he gave me a brick with Galesburg stamped on it! Finally, Heather Bangert at the History Museum in Quincy went way out of her way by offering to give me private tours of everything Lincoln there.

Did I catch the Lincoln’s spirit, and of his times, on that vast prairie? At times, I think I did, and that was a wonderful feeling!

It’s too hot here in TX, I’m heading back next week to the Land of Lincoln and travel the 8th circuit.

Glad you had a good time.
I'd like to hear more about Pittsfield.

Pittsfield

Claims more homes documented that Lincoln visted more than any other town.

Lincoln meet Nicolay there.

Nicolay lived there. Hay for a time.

Milton Hay home. He was a clerk in Lincoln's law office. Kin to John Hay.

Lincoln had a photograph taken there.

Oliver Barrett lived there, too.

great historical society.

There's more!

Source: Following in Lincoln's Footsteps by Ralph Gary (a fellow Texan) which I think is the best and most comprehensive travel book on Lincoln.

Looking forward to your posts and discoveries along the way. What a wonderful opportunity!

Thanks! Got back about a week ago. Don't have the tech savvy to post on the road or even to post a picture, so I apologize in advance for that. Did the 8th Judicial Circuit! Or at least my hybrid version of it. Must first give thanks to two books the before mentioned: Following in Lincoln's Footsteps by Ralph Gary and the indispensable Guy Fraker's A Guide to L's 8th Judicial Circuit (his other book on the Circuit is good too) in the Looking for Lincoln series. That little book is chocked full of information and interesting facts. it takes you along the roads that Lincoln took or the best that can be done for this time..... First and foremost, the size of the Circuit is amazing! I know everybody talks about that, and I have heard it many times before, but until you travel it, you don't realize the size and scope. I was in a vehicle, I couldn't imagine doing it on horseback....I mentioned hybrid version. I did not follow it exactly. some places I had been before and their were other Lincoln's sites that I wanted to visit, not related to his legal career. For example, I did not go to Springfield. I figured it up once, and I have spent about 30 days in Springfield, all Lincoln themed trips and mostly in intensive study. There are 3 places in Springfield that I haven't been too, however, and that I an saving for another trip. 1. Governor's mansion. 2. visit more in the cemetery 3. the Edwards Place. Another place I wanted to see but was closed for the season was the Long Nine Museum in nearby Athens. Just another reason to go back! Then it was on to Petersburg, not much is still there that was there in Lincoln's Day concerning his legal career. I tended to skip places unless the original building was there. What was cool in Petersburg was that I found, after a long search the original grave of Ann Rutledge and the grave of Jack Armstrong. It was extremely hard to find . No road to get there. One farmer purposely mislead me. But I guess if I had people trespassing on my property, I would be angry too. But it felt special being there. That night I spent the night at New Salem State Park and early the next morning I trespassed and had an early morning stroll through New Salem. Just me and the dog. So special, at least to me. More later!

I am glad you had a good time, and that you got to spend it with a special friend.
Looking foreword to hearing more.

Here is a photo of the original grave of Ann Rutledge. This is at Old Concord Cemetery, and Joe Di Cola posted the photo on this forum in 2014.



https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussi...y#pid28694