Abraham Lincoln is most often associated with Alton due to the famous debate held between Lincoln and Stephen Douglas on October 15, 1858. As we continue to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, we would like to invite visitors to explore further Lincoln's connections to the region through the new Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail.
Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail
Lincoln's first visits to Alton can be traced back to the early 1840s. Experience the life of young Lincoln as a lawyer, duelist and orator. It was here that the final Lincoln-Douglas Debate took place, with the issue of slavery on the minds spectators. It was here that Confederate soldiers were held captive, died and were buried. It was here that Alton resident and U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull authored the 13th Amendment, putting an end to slavery in the United States.
Walk in the footsteps of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and Civil War soldiers from both North and South, as you explore the lasting legacies of Lincoln in Alton.
Exploring the Trail
The new trail connects ten historic sites in Alton relating to Lincoln's time spent here and the city's connections to the Civil War. The journey begins with Lincoln & Douglas in Lincoln-Douglas Square. Subsequent sites include: Ryder Building, Smallpox Island and Lincoln-Shields Duel sites, Lovejoy Monument, National Cemetery, Lyman Trumbull House, Confederate Cemetery, Alton Prison and Franklin House. At each of the sites, visitors will find interpretive panels that further tell the story of each site and Alton's connections to American history.
Visitors can download the Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail guide here or pick it up at the Alton Visitors Center, located at 200 Piasa Street (across from Argosy Casino) in Downtown Alton. While some of the sites are within walking distance of each other, most will require some mode of transportation. The trail is self-guided, and visitors can explore the sites in any order they wish.
The Celebration Continues
While the sesquicentennial year of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates draws to a close, the celebration of this time in history continues. For visitors interested in learning more about the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, click here for the podcast series The Real Issue - The Real Debates. Rodney Davis and Douglas Wilson, co-directors of the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College, discuss each of the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates.
Did I hear someone has a birthday coming up? That's right - Abraham Lincoln turns 200 this year! The Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission is whipping up celebration all over the state during 2009, as we continue to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln in Illinois. Check out their website for details on upcoming events.
If you happen to be in Alton during Lincoln's birthday, buy your tickets now for the Alton Symphony Orchestra's performance of "A Lincoln Portrait." The Lewis & Clark Community College will join the orchestra to perform some of Lincoln's favorite songs of the period. Click here for more details.
We hope that you will join us in Alton to continue to explore
the lasting legacy of Lincoln in this river community.
For more information, please call the Alton Visitors Center at 1-800-ALTON-IL.
