Lincoln's Eighth Judicial Circuit

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Office
This Greek-revival style building was constructed by Seth Tinsley in 1840. The first floor housed a dry goods store and post office, the second floor the space for the federal courtroom chambers. The third floor was rented by various attorneys, of which the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office was the most famous to this date.

First Christian County Courthouse
Though since moved several times, this two-story wooden courthouse is now on the grounds of the Christian County Museum and Historical Society. One of the few remaining sites where Lincoln practiced law, it is open to visitors and is a treat not to miss.

The Postville Courthouse
Standing alone in the midst of a beautiful landscape atop a small hill, this reproduction of the original courthouse is a magnificent structure and offers a first-hand glimpse into Lincoln the lawyer and those who worked the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Mt. Pulaski Courthouse
Erected in 1848, Mt. Pulaski became the county seat and this building is still intact today and is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation agency. A full staff provides guided tours of this historically accurate piece of Lincolnonia.

The David Davis Mansion
This opulent estate offers a glimpse into the life of a friend and mentor to Abraham Lincoln, David Davis, a judge for many years on the Eighth Judicial Circuit with Lincoln, who served as a United States Supreme Court Justice and was a key component during Lincoln‘s bid for the 1860 Presidential nomination.

Metamora Courthouse
The first floor of the Metamora Courthouse, built in 1845, contains a central hall flanked by two exhibit rooms, one displaying artifacts of early local history, the other with exhibits describing the 1850s court system and Lincoln's life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. On the second floor, the former courtroom and two small chambers are furnished to represent the era during which Lincoln practiced law.