Sangamon County: Lincoln’s Legacy and Nature

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House and Sangchris Lake State Park represent two different sides of Sangamon County: architectural history in Springfield and scenery southeast of the city. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether historic sites, museums, or outdoor activities should take priority.

Lincoln’s History in Springfield

The Old State Capitol is a reconstruction of the Illinois Statehouse as it appeared from 1840 to 1876. Abraham Lincoln delivered his “House Divided” speech here. The Lincoln Home in Springfield was the Lincoln family’s home for 17 years. In addition to tours, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site offers self-guided exhibits, park films, and a walking tour of a historic four-block neighborhood. A Junior Ranger program is also available; seasonal activities may vary.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum interprets Lincoln’s life through interactive exhibits and multimedia programs. It also features a reproduction of the White House as it appeared in 1861. The objects on display in the Treasures Gallery rotate; examples include an original handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their sons.

Architecture and More Stories

The Dana-Thomas House in Springfield was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Prairie School style and built between 1902 and 1904. Exhibits at the Illinois State Museum span natural history and anthropology, history, and the arts. These varied subjects make the museums a distinctive complement to the Lincoln sites.

Camp Butler National Cemetery also connects a place of remembrance with Civil War history: the cemetery occupies part of the site where Illinois’s second-largest military training camp was located at the time. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The Vachel Lindsay Home was the home of poet, illustrator, and early film critic Vachel Lindsay. A 30-minute tour of the grounds is offered; check tour availability before your trip.

Other perspectives explore different themes: Route History in Springfield explains how Route 66 influenced African American history in Springfield and beyond. The Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum tells stories about the lives of African Americans in the region, past and present. The Ace Sign Co. Sign Museum has more than 85 historic signs from Springfield and Route 66. It displays historic neon signs and is located next to a modern sign-making facility.

Nature and Trails in the County

Sangchris Lake State Park, southeast of Springfield, covers more than 3,000 acres and has 120 miles of shoreline. Fishing is available, as is boat access on the lake’s east and west shores and at the Strawkas Point boat ramp near Illinois Route 104. The park also has 20 miles of horseback riding trails and nature trails with wildflowers and songbirds. This lets you consider waterside activities and trail outings as distinct ways to experience nature.

For more opportunities to experience nature, visit Carpenter Park and Lincoln Memorial Garden. Carpenter Park provides habitat for at least 82 breeding bird species. Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center in Springfield is on the shore of Lake Springfield. Franklin’s ground squirrels (Spermophilus franklinii), a species endangered in Illinois and protected under the Illinois Endangered Species Act, live along the Sangamon Valley Trail. The Route 66 Bicycle Trail runs through Sangamon County from the Logan County line in the north, through Divernon, to the Montgomery County line in the south.

Local Flavor and Trip Planning

The food scene has a history, too: the signature Horseshoe Sandwich was created by Joe Schweska at the Old Leland Hotel in 1928. The Springfield Horseshoe consists of toasted Texas toast, your choice of meat, crispy French fries, and homemade cheese sauce. Its ingredients explain what makes this local classic distinctive, without requiring a visit to any particular restaurant.

Next, check which places you actually want to include and which hotel locations suit your sightseeing plans. This way, you can start your search with the experiences you want to shape your trip, rather than with a blanket recommendation for every stay.

Discover more destinations: Springfield, DuPage, Boone County, Woodford County, Williamson County, Henry County, Mercer County, Kane

For the broader travel overview: Illinois.