Lincoln
Around Lincoln
Photo: atramos · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Illinois · 27k people
Lincoln
“Railsplitter Capital”
Where Lincoln's legacy meets the prairie
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Welcome to Lincoln, where the square is the heart of town and the cornfields go on forever. Whether you're here for the history or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story.
Clubs for Lincoln
No clubs for Lincoln yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lincoln. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lincoln. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lincoln State Recreation Area Offers fishing, hiking, and camping.
- Lincoln Heritage Museum Dedicated to Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy.
- Lincoln College A small liberal arts college with the museum.
- Logan County Courthouse A historic courthouse on the square.
- Mount Pulaski Courthouse A preserved 1848 courthouse where Lincoln practiced law.
- Historic downtown square The heart of Lincoln with shops and the courthouse.
- Outdoors Hike at Lincoln State Recreation Area
- Outdoors Fish at the park lake
- With kids Visit the Lincoln Heritage Museum
- With kids Picnic at Lincoln State Recreation Area
- Evenings Catch a movie at the local cinema
- Evenings Enjoy a drink at a downtown tavern
- Locals love Farm stands
- Locals love Local diners
Through the year
- Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival August Hot air balloons and art in August.
- Logan County Fair July Agricultural exhibits, rides, and livestock.
- Mount Pulaski Fall Festival September Community celebration with food and music.
- Atlanta Fall Festival October Small-town festival with parade and crafts.
- Lincoln Farmers Market Summer Local produce and goods every summer.
Central Illinois has hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are mild and the best times to be outdoors. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “the square”
- Downtown area of Lincoln.
- “the Lake”
- Lincoln State Recreation Area.
- “downstate”
- Anywhere outside Chicago.
- “pop”
- Soft drink.
Getaways
- Springfield Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
- Bloomington Explore the downtown and Miller Park Zoo.
- Decatur Check out the Scovill Zoo and Rock Springs Conservation Area.
- Peoria Enjoy the riverfront and Peoria Zoo.
Local flavour
Rooting for Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A classic Illinois staple, widely served in local diners and taverns.
- Sweet corn Fresh Illinois corn, celebrated in summer and at local festivals.
- Horseshoe sandwich Though originating in Springfield, it's enjoyed across central Illinois.
Where people go
- Historic downtown square The courthouse square with local shops and the Logan County Courthouse is the heart of the community.
- Farmland and country roads Vast corn and soybean fields, dotted with grain elevators and split-rail fences.
Heritage and traditions
Lincoln is proud of its namesake, Abraham Lincoln, and its heritage as a stop on the Eighth Judicial Circuit and Route 66, blending small-town charm with a deep sense of history.
This time of year in Lincoln
- Fall harvest festivals September–October Small-town festivals celebrate the harvest with food, crafts, and parades.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — Carbonated beverage (soda).
Festivals
- Atlanta Red Carpet Corridor May A multi-town Route 66 celebration with classic cars, music, and street vendors.
- Lincoln's Birthday Celebration February Free tours and talks at the courthouse on Lincoln's birthday.
- Lincoln Christmas Walk December Downtown square with lights, carolers, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
- Mount Pulaski Candlelight Walk December Historic courthouse and streets lit by candles with reenactors in period dress.
Landmarks with a story
- Postville Courthouse State Historic Site Reconstruction of the courthouse where Lincoln practiced law on the circuit.
- J.H. Hawes House Queen Anne–style house on Route 66 in Atlanta, now a museum.
- Lincoln Depot Historic train depot where Lincoln is said to have passed through; now a museum.
Food traditions
- Church basement dinners Local churches host weekly community dinners with chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, and homemade pie.
- Sweet corn roasts Neighborhood and community groups hold late-summer corn roasts, often with pork chops.
Music and arts
- Community band concerts Summer concerts on the square featuring local musicians.
- Quilting and folk art Local quilters and crafters sell at festivals and the farmers market.
A little history
- 1853 Town founded and named for Abraham Lincoln, the only town named for him before his presidency.
- 1839 Lincoln begins practicing law on the Eighth Judicial Circuit, which includes Logan County.
- 1865 Lincoln College founded as Lincoln University.
- 1926 Route 66 established through the area, bringing travelers and commerce.
Rivalries
- Lincoln vs Mount Pulaski High school sports rivalry.
- Lincoln vs Atlanta Football rivalry.
- Game day Friday night football
- Game day Cornhole tournaments
- Outdoors Hunt in the fall
- Outdoors Birdwatching at the recreation area
- With kids Splash pad at the park
- With kids Library storytime
Central Illinois speech is classic Midwestern: a flat accent, 'pop' for soda, and a friendly 'ope' when bumping into someone. You'll hear 'you guys' for plural 'you' and a soft 'r' in words like 'warsh'.
Only here
- The only town in the U.S. named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president.
- The Postville Courthouse is one of the few surviving courthouses where Lincoln practiced.
- The town sits on a stretch of historic Route 66 with original roadside attractions.
- Lincoln College is one of the few colleges named for Lincoln and still operating.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Lincoln' as 'Link-en'—just like the president.
- Expect hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters; pack layers.
- Try the pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner—it's a regional staple.
- Drive Route 66 for a scenic tour of small-town Americana.
- Get to know your neighbors; small-town life is friendly and community-oriented.
Make this page better
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Part of Springfield area
Nearby
Every areaDe Witt CountyIllinoisSmall towns, big skies, and friendly faces.SpringfieldIllinoisWhere history and horseshoes meetBloomington–NormalIllinoisHeart of the Corn Belt, home of the RedbirdsDecaturIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the heartlandPeoriaIllinoisRiver city, heartland home.TaylorvilleIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the lakeCantonIllinoisWhere the prairies meet the riverJacksonvilleIllinoisWhere the prairie meets a proud college town.
Lincoln, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.