The Lincoln Heritage Trail

Established in 1974 and sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Council, Boy Scouts of America

This truly historic trail is open year round, offering an opportunity to walk in the shadow of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. This trail will be both fun and educational, as well as offering your scouts of all ages the chance to earn four different recognition patches. 

All patches are available during Lincoln Pilgrimage weekend at the trading post. The trading post will be open at New Salem Visitors Center on Friday evening until 9:00 p.m., on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday at the Tomb. If you wish to hike these trails at any other time patches may be obtained throughout the year at the Abraham Lincoln Council office  

Lincoln Heritage Trail Instructions

In order to qualify, each Lincoln Heritage Trail hiker must have a certification folder. You may register by sending a $5.00 fee per participant to the Boy Scouts of America, 1911 West Monroe, Springfield, Illinois 62704. This fee includes a patch. You will need to specify which of the four patches available you wish to purchase. There is one for each time you hike the trail - up to four times.

It is suggested that you start the trail at the Lincoln Home Visitors' Center on Seventh Street (between Capitol Avenue and Jackson Street). Parking is available at that location.

In order to qualify, you must visit the Old State House, the Lincoln Tomb, and The Lincoln Home. You are encouraged to visit as many of the following as possible, but you must visit at least two: Lincoln Family Church, Lincoln Railroad Depot, Chase Bank (formerly Springfield Marine Bank), New Salem State Park, Lincoln Law Office, and the Visitor's Center. You must hike to all sites, except the Lincoln Tomb, New Salem State Park and Edwards Place. These may be visited by automobile or bus.

Note: If your unit is marching in the Lincoln Pilgrimage Parade on Sunday this may be used as substitute for the two locations of choice, you must still visit the three primary sites to qualify. 

Note: To confirm current times/days of availability of sites, call the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (1-800-545-7300) 

Scouts are encouraged to wear their official uniform while on the trail, but this is not required.

Lincoln Home Visitors Center

Located on Seventh Street between Capitol Avenue and Jackson Street is the Lincoln Home Visitors' Center. In addition to displays in the center, a 15-minute film introduces the visitor to the Lincoln shrines and tells much about Lincoln's life in Springfield. It is designed to be visited prior to Lincoln's Home. The Visitors' Center is an information booth which provides helpful information related to other Lincoln sites in Springfield.

Lincoln's Home

Abraham Lincoln signed a contract on January 16, 1844 to purchase this frame house from Rev. Charles Dresser, the Episcopal minister who had married him to Mary Todd on November 4, 1842. Mr. Lincoln had never owned another house. When he bought this one, it was only a story and a half. In 1856, the Lincolns had it expanded to a full two stories. After Mr. Lincoln's death, this famous dwelling passed to his heirs. His son, Robert Todd Lincoln, finally deeded it to the State of Illinois in 1887. Visitors may go through the home free every day of the week from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets must be secured from the Lincoln Home Visitors' Center prior to visiting the home.

Lincoln's Tomb

All of Abraham Lincoln's family except Robert (who lies in Arlington National Cemetery) rest with him in eternal peace within the magnificent Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Sightseers may drive to this shrine and park there. It is located on the north side of Springfield on Monument Avenue. (It is a continuation of First Street with a slight dogleg connection at North Grand Avenue.)

Larkin G. Mead, Jr., won the design competition for the Tomb which the National Lincoln Monument Association constructed by means of private contributions. President Ulysses S. Grant came out from Washington to deliver one of the addresses. Since Grant abhorred speech-making, Governor Richard J. Oglesby gave the main oration in his stead. But the fact that President Grant even agreed to appear proved the point that he still held the very highest regard for his old Commander-in-Chief.

Finding itself unable to bear the huge expenses involved in repairing and keeping up the Lincoln Monument, the private association transferred ownership in 1895, to the State of Illinois. Because of defects in the foundations, the state has been forced to rebuild the Tomb twice.

It remains open to the public seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on most holidays.

Old State Capitol

Situated in the middle of the public square, the Old State House is a classic example of Greek revival architecture. Its cornerstone was laid with solemn ceremonies on July 4, 1837.

When the house finally convened in its new legislative chambers on December 7, 1840, Representative Lincoln took his seat there. He remained until adjournment on March 1, 1841. That was his last term in the legislature.

From the Illinois State Library on the first floor, he borrowed books and read others in the law library across the way. In the Hall of Representatives he spoke numerous times, eulogizing Henry Clay on July 6, 1852, and giving his famous "House-Divided" speech June 16, 1858. When Lincoln became president-elect of the United States on November 6, 1860, Governor John Wood had invited him to use his outer office on the second floor of the Capitol. In the Hall of Representatives, his martyred body lay in state May 3-4, 1865.

In 1876, the state moved its offices into a new Capitol, the one currently being used. Sangamon County secured the historic shrine for its courthouse. However, the state repurchased the Old State House and received title in 1962. The state then did a tedious restoration job. The State Historical Library is now located in the basement. The Old State House is open every day (except holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If the Old State Capitol is not open, then the Lincoln Law Office will take its place as a required place to visit.

New Salem State Park

Abraham Lincoln floated into this frontier village on April 19, 1831. He was on his way to New Orleans with a cumbersome flatboat loaded with produce. Later, in July of that year, he returned like a piece of driftwood (as Lincoln himself recalled) and took up permanent residence there. This town molded his life and future. It was here that Lincoln struck out on his own. While living there, he labored as a struggling store clerk, postmaster, captain in the militia, store owner, surveyor, politician, and lawyer. Through hard work and borrowed books, he mastered the art of surveying and law.
As a respected legislator, Lincoln left New Salem on April 15, 1837, and moved into Springfield.
The park hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. In the summertime, the cabins remain open somewhat later in the evening

Lincoln Family Church    Edwards Place     Lincoln Law Office    Lincoln RR Depot 

 Back to Lincoln Pilgrimage Home Page