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Historic Communities

Vandalia is an easy drive from St. Louis on I-70. Stop first and see the Vandalia Statehouse where Lincoln served as a first-time legislator. Stay on I-70 and Charleston is an easy one hour and 20 minutes away. Or if your goal is Springfield take Route 51 and 29 through Taylorville and visit the Christian County Historical Museum and see an original wood courthouse that was part of the 8th Circuit.

Communities in Southern Illinois

  • Taylorville
    Taylorville is often referred to as “the last stop” because when Lincoln and his fellow lawyers, including Stephen A. Douglas, rode the 8th judicial circuit Taylorville was often the last place they stopped before going back to Springfield. The act
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  • Vandalia
    Vandalia is the place where Lincoln officially started his political career when he was elected the state legislator from New Salem in 1834. Vandalia was the state capitol from 1820 to 1839 when it was moved to Springfield. The vote to make Springfield the capital was a controversial one and Lincoln played an important part in that effort...
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