The northeast side of the Jacksonville Square is the location where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas had a debate for the 1858 Senate Race.
One of Jacksonville's Walldog murals. This one commemorates one of Lincoln's early political speeches, delivered in front of the court house during 1854.
As you are walking along the wonderful campus of Illinois College, in the middle where the college seal is located, if you look off to the side you will see a younger version of Abraham Lincoln. This statue was put in place because of Lincoln's connection to not only Illinois College, but also to Jacksonville. This detailed statue has a lot of history behind it and is a great addition to the beautiful campus of Illinois College.
The New Philadelphia Town Site is the location of the first town in the country founded by an African American. In 1836, former slave Frank McWorter and his family moved to the Hadley township. McWorter platted the town and named it "New Philadelphia." The site is also notable in that it was a racially integrated community well before the Civil War. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2014. The site is now an open farming field but there are interpretive signs just inside of the road.
This two-story brick home, with white trim, was built circa 1838 to 1843.The home was built by William Watson early settler of Pittsfield and a member of the Whig party. Watson sold the home to Milton Hay who had studied law under Abraham Lincoln in Springfield and practiced law in partnership with Edward D Baker in Pittsfield. Lincoln aided Milton Hay in several legal cases here in Pike County. In 1850 Milton Hay’s nephew John Milton Hay came from Warsaw, Illinois to live with his uncle in Pittsfield while attending the John D. Thompson Academy. The future presidential secretary to Abraham Lincoln resided with his uncle until 1855 when he went east to attend Brown University. Please feel free to park and take the time to read the Wayside Exhibit that is in front of the home.
Abraham Lincoln formed some very close friendships with several citizens of Pittsfield. Among the most prominent ones were Milton Hay, John Milton Hay, and John George Nicolay. Milton Hay was born in 1817, and he moved to Pittsfield in 1840. He was the first law student of Abraham Lincoln. He married Catherine Forbes in 1851, and they lived in this Greek Revival brick residence. Milton's nephew, John Milton Hay, came to live with them and while in Pittsfield attended a brand-new private academy, which promised a preparatory school education. Milton and Catherine had two children who both died in infancy. Catherine died in 1857, and the next year Milton moved back to Springfield. John studied law in his uncle's office, next door to Lincoln's office. After Lincoln was elected president, he hired John George Nicolay to be his private secretary and, because of Milton's recommendations, he also hired John Milton Hay as an additional private secretary.The house was constructed from 1838 to 1843 by William Watson, the first settler of Pittsfield and a man of considerable wealth and influence. After living elsewhere, Watson returned in 1858 to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Rev. George and Ellen Barrett, the parents of Oliver Barrett, who owned the largest private Lincoln collection of the twentieth century. During the time that Watson did not reside in this house, Milton Hay did.John Milton Hay was born in 1838 in Salem Indiana. His parents were Dr. Charles and Helen (Leonard) Hay. For improved schooling, Dr. Hay sent John to the Thompson Academy in Pittsfield, the county seat of Pike County, Illinois, where his lived with his uncle, Milton Hay. At the Thompson Academy, John met John George Nicolay, an editor at the Pike County Free Press newspaper. John Hay worked there on occasion, and it was there that he wrote the first draft of his famous book The Pike County Ballads. (Some of its characters were interesting people he had met while in Pittsfield.) After leaving Pittsfield, John continued his studies in Springfield, Illinois and at Brown University in Rhode Island, where he graduated in 1858. Later in life he would co-author with Nicolay the very popular Abraham Lincoln: A History (1890).(text taken from https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=128776)
This white-two story home was originally built circa 1850s. It is two stories tall with green shutters and strong columns on the porches.According to the pikelincoln.com, Reuben Scanland was a prominent attorney and judge along with serving as mayor of Pittsfield. Reuben was a close friend with Abraham Lincoln and had backed him in his 1858 Senate race against Stephen Douglas.On one of Lincoln’s visits Mrs. Scanland’s had prepared a turkey with all the fixings. The dinner grew cold while Mrs. Scanland waited on her husband and Mr. Lincoln who were at the local drug store where Lincoln was entertaining a crowd with his stories.
According to pikelincoln.com/William Grimshaw was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and came west to Pike County in 1833. He became a prominent attorney and delegate to two state constitutional conventions as a member of the Whig party. In 1847 Grimshaw authored the provision against dueling in Illinois. William Grimshaw’s law office was in one of the front rooms of the home. Abraham Lincoln and William Grimshaw participated in several court cases together including a federal case in Chicago were Lincoln represented Grimshaw. Mr. Lincoln stayed here in 1856 when he and Lyman Trumbull were campaigning for presidential candidate John C. Fremont who was running as a Republican. Grimshaw was a state delegate at the 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago which nominated his good friend Abraham Lincoln for president.
Site now occupied by the United Community Bank buildingAbraham Lincoln visited the home and law office of Daniel H. Gilmer. Gilmer was like many of Lincoln’s friends in Pittsfield a prominent attorney and Whig supporter. During a visit to the Gilmer residents Young Elizabeth (Lizzie) Gilmer was swinging on the front gate when Lincoln approached picked her up, gave her a kiss and placed her back on the gate.In October 1, 1858 Lizzie established a toll gate charging Lincoln a toll to attend a special luncheon prepared by her mother. Lizzie’s action lead to a strong scolding from her father.The home and law office of Daniel Harvey Gilmer were located on this corner. Later the home was moved and over time fell into dis-repair forcing it to be razed. Please feel free to park and read the Wayside Exhibit located on the west side of the United Community Bank.
This two story brick sits on top of a gentle slop. the Home has heavy stone pillars on the front porch and two tall brick chimneys on either side of the roof.According to the pikelincoln.comBuilt circa 1841 – 1846Michael J. Noyes was a native of New Hampshire. He came west settling in Pike County, Missouri for many years before moving to Pittsfield in 1841. Noyes was the founder and editor of Pike County’s first newspaper in 1841. The “Sucker and the Farmer’s Record” newspapers of the day along with Noyes family history state that Abraham Lincoln gave a speech here.
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Built circa 1845 – 1846 (partially destroyed by fire in 1896) Abraham Lincoln stayed here during his visit on October 1, 1858 during is Senatorial campaign race against Stephen Douglas. William Ross had first met Abraham Lincoln during the Black Hawk War when Ross was serving as aide to General Atkinson. It was Ross that was responsible for Lincoln being appointed to rank of Captain during the war. Colonel Ross held many different government offices in Pike County. Justice of Probate, Clerk of both Circuit and County Courts. Colonel of the Militia and Justice of the Peace. Ross also served as a member to the Illinois House and Senate having first been elected in 1835. Colonel Ross also served as a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago aiding in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln.
According to pikelincoln.com:Built circa 1841 -1846Zachariah Nairn Garbutt was born in New York in 1814. He studied law in Washington, D. C. Later he moved west settling in Jacksonville, Illinois where he continued the reading of law. In May of 1839 he received his license. In that same year he came to Pike County, Illinois.Being strong Whig Party supporter he and others started the Free Press newspaper in 1846. Sometime in 1848 Garbutt advertised that he needed an intelligent boy between 14 – 17 years of age who could read and write for the position of printers devil.Joel Pennington proprietor of the Mansion House Hotel in Pittsfield knew young John George Nicolay from when he lived in Greene County, Illinois. Pennington may have sent word to Nicolay about the job resulting in Nicolay walking to Pittsfield where he spent the night on sacks of wool at the Carding Mill. The next morning he applied for the position at the Free Press.Mr. and Mrs Garbutt took a liking to John Nicolay treating him like a son. He was always welcome in their home. By 1849 Garbutt retired from the Free Press. In 1853 Nicolay was voted a partner in the ownership. One year later he became the sole proprietor and editor of the paper.
Built circa 1838John Greene Shastid first encounter Abraham Lincoln while living in New Salem, Illinois. In 1836 he moved his family to Pittsfield, Illinois. When Lincoln was in town on legal business it is said that he always called on the Shastids.In his book My Second Life Thomas Hall Shastid recalls a story about his grandfather (John) coming home with a dozen pigeons after a hunting trip. As the family waited for the pigeons to finish boiling the door to the home was suddenly pushed opened. There stood Abraham Lincoln who took the seat of honor at the table. Mrs. Shastid placed the plate of boiled pigeon in from of Lincoln. Lincoln was very talkative at first but later fell silent as he dove into the plate of pigeons. John Shastid motion to the rest of the family to not ask for any of the wild meat. With one pigeon left Lincoln reached out his fork and placed it on his plate and began to eat it.As Lincoln ate the last pigeon young Tommy Shastid burst into tears, crying out, “Abe Lincoln you’re an old hog”.
On June 24, 1837, attorney William A. Grimshaw filed an indenture (formal or official document) with the office of the Deed of Records of Pike County. The purpose of this document revolved around a newly formed group of trustees which included William Ross, William Watson, James Johnson, Robert R. Greene, Archibald H. Argyle, Robert Wills and Eben Abbott. The state of Illinois granted the trustees permission to build a male and female academy in Pittsfield.On October 25, 1839, William R. Peters of Bloomfield, New Jersey through his wife’s attorney William Watson of Pittsfield, IL, gifted five acres of land for the academy to the trustees. There was a stipulation that William R. Peters put forth in the deed. He required the trustees to build a structure upon the property by January 1, 1839. The trustees met Peters’ stipulation by building the first building on the property before January 1, 1839.The timing of this transaction was poor. In 1837 the United States begin to slip into a deep depression caused by both domestic and foreign origins. By 1837 the years of ailing economy led investors to panic leading to a run on the banks. By May of that year the New York banks ran out of gold and silver resulting in the value of paper money becoming useless. Between 1837-1844 deflation in wages and prices were also widespread. By 1850 the economy was booming again resulting from the flow of gold from the California gold fields.During that decade, the trustees were not able to continue the academy. In 1844 there was a grass roots movement to raise $500.00 dollars to make repairs to the building built before 1839. A town meeting was held to generate interest in saving the building, but in the end the property sold at public auction. Dr. Thomas Worthington of Pittsfield purchased the land for $500.00 dollars in 1847. He spent the first year remodeling the building into a personal residence. Over the decades Dr. Worthington’s hosted political functions and gatherings. The future 16th President Abraham Lincoln visited the home prior to his presidential campaign.On the 1850 Census, future Lincoln secretary, John G. Nicolay, resided as a boarder with the Worthingtons. He arrived in Pittsfield in 1848 going to work with the Free Press newspaper as a printer’s devil (typesetter). John Hay visited the home while attending the Thompson Academy. Hay would join Nicolay as one of Lincoln’s secretaries in the White House.Dr. Thomas Worthington passed away in 1888. After his death, the house passed to daughter Emily Worthington who would live there until her death in1902, at which time ownership would pass to Dr. Andrew Worthington of Denver, Colorado until his death in 1935.In 1940, Carl Sandburg author and Lincoln scholar, would write a letter stating the history of the home and how important it was to save it. Unfortunately, the house and property was torn down in 1940, making room for Illini Community Hospital that you see before you.
According to the pikelincoln.com :The site of the Heck Bakery was also the location of the first Pike County courthouse. During his October 1, 1858 visit Abraham Lincoln dined in front of Heck Bakery on gingerbread and cider with John G. Nicolay.The last building that stood on the site was razed in 2018.According to waymarking.com :The bakery was originally located in Pittsfield's first county courthouse (1833-8), which occupied this site until razed in 1880.Historic Marker on site:"Site of Joseph Heck BakeryAbraham Lincoln drank cider and ate gingerbread here. Site of the first Pike County courthouse in Pittsfield. The building was sold to Joseph Heck, a native of Durmersheim, Germany, born there in 1822. Heck emigrated to America in 1846, moving first to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then here to Pittsfield in 1855. He was a grocer, baker and confectioner. John Nicolay took Lincoln to "Penny Hecks" for cider and gingerbread Oct 1, 1858, during his Senatorial campaign visit." ~ Abe Lincoln's Pike County
The hotel was built in 1838, and called Mansion House, William Watson who was the first settler of Pittsfield. Current owners renovated for two years and reopened in 2008 as William Watson Hotel. They accept guests and offer coffee and other refreshments. There are 14 rooms and suites available for rent. It is located south across the street from the Courthouse, which is within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
The Pike County Courthouse is located in the central square. Take a walk around the courthouse grounds taking the time to look at the various memorials. Take note of the beautiful WWII memorial located on the south side of the courthouse lawn. Visit the Wayside Exhibit located on the southwest corner. If you need to rest feel free to have a seat on one of the benches located on the grounds.Statues of Abraham Lincoln and his assistants, John Hay and John Nicolay, now stand near the grounds on which the original courthouse was built. Completed in 1895, it is the fifth courthouse in the county's history.
This wayside exhibit is part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. Visitors can find these exhibits in 43 Illinois counties. These exhibits tell the story of Lincoln's almost 30 years in Illinois in communities where Lincoln worked, traveled, and lived. This exhibit tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's connections to and activities in Pike County, Illinois.
This wayside exhibit is part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. Visitors can find these exhibits in 43 Illinois counties. These exhibits tell the story of Lincoln's almost 30 years in Illinois in communities where Lincoln worked, traveled, and lived. This exhibit tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's personal connections to residents of Pike County, Illinois.
There are two stories pertaining to how Abraham Lincoln and proprietor and editor John G. Nicolay met. Thomas Hall Shastid grandson of John Greene Shastid tells the story that while Lincoln was in Pittsfield he ran into John Greene Shastid telling him that he needed a good printer. John took him to the office of the Free Press and introduced him to Nicolay.In 1894 Nicolay granted an interview that went viral in the national newspapers. He was asked about the first time he met Lincoln. Nicolay said that he had been actively serving on a political committee in Pittsfield in the year 1856. That year John C. Fremont was running for president on the Republican ticket and Abraham Lincoln and Lyman Trumbull were canvassing the state of Illinois for votes. It was a large district and they had agreed to not stump together.Nicolay went on to say that the committee did not know who was coming to Pittsfield so they advertised that both Lincoln and Trumbull would be there. It wasn’t a total lie, one of the men would show at the scheduled date and time. When the time came both Lincoln and Trumbull showed up in Pittsfield. The crowds were huge as the two men gave speeches well into the night. Nicolay stated that he was introduced to Lincoln late that evening.
When John George Nicolay was sixteen years old, a friend showed him an ad in The Pike County Free Press newspaper dated May 11, 1848. It advertised for "An intelligent boy, 14 to 17 years of age, who can read and write, to learn the Printing Business." Nicolay walked from White Hall to Pittsfield and immediately gained employment as a printer's devil. He met his future wife, Therena Bates, just hours after arriving in Pittsfield. After Zachariah Garbutt, who took him into the newspaper business, retired from the paper, Nicolay eventually became the sole proprietor of the Free Press. Nicolay would live for a period of time here in the Garbutt Home. After he moved to Springfield, it was on a return visit to Pittsfield that he wrote and article believed to be the first to suggest Abraham Lincoln for president on the Republican ticket. When Lincoln was elected sixteenth President of the United States, John Nicolay was asked to served as Lincoln's private secretary.
This museum in located in the old Jacksonville Post Office, a federal building that has been repurposed into one of Jacksonville's leading cultural institutions. Many of the museum's exhibits focus on the early days of Illinois when Jacksonville was one of the leading cultural and political hubs of the state, a distinction that is still an important part of the city's fabric even to this day. The museum tells this compelling story with professional displays, videos, and artifacts of Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Exhibits include: Connections to Abraham Lincoln, the expansion of industry, the importance of local retail, the influence of institutions, the impact of famous individuals, a history of medicine, the influence on modern dentistry, and so much more! The museum is also the home of the MacMurray College collection and provides a home to their extensive history and artwork. With traveling and rotating exhibits, there is something new each time one pays a visit to this fascinating look into the early history of Illinois.
This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.
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Jacksonville to Barry to Pittsfield. A day trip and scenic drive. New Philadelphia is all outdoors with a commanding view of the surrounding farms. Few things are in Barry but it is a good pitstop after the drive from Jacksonville and it is right next to New Philadelphia
