Lincoln, Illinois is the only U.S. town to hold the privilege of being named after President Lincoln before the president was elected, and while he was still living.
Lincoln is a city located in Logan County, Illinois
Lincoln, Illinois is the only U.S. town to hold the privilege of being named after President Lincoln before the president was elected, and while he was still living.
Lincoln is a city located in Logan County, Illinois. Lincoln is the county seat of Logan County. The city is situated between Springfield and Bloomington, on I-55, the highway formerly known as Route 66. The city is only 6.40 square miles. The area is completely urban and sports a population of over 14,000 people. This diminutive town owes its very existence to Lincoln. Lincoln reportedly worked as legal counsel for the railroad company and made the suggestion that the railroad be established where the town is now situated. Of course, this modest man objected to the town being named after him, but was present for the christening, bearing a watermelon under each arm.
Moving to Lincoln, Illinois isn't a difficult endeavor. There are lots of moving truck rental chains and movers located within the city limits, as well as a variety of housing choices. This area has a high concentration of owner-occupied housing. However, many homeowners in the area have turned their houses into rental property. There is an abundant supply of rental homes in Lincoln, Illinois in some extremely nice neighborhoods. Some rental housing options offer renters the ability to have all bills paid with combined rent and utilities. A local apartment search will yield hundreds of serviced apartments that are available for rent at any given time. Folks moving into the area should be prepared to offer up identification when attempting to secure a rental unit. Additionally, a trip to the utilities department will require a recent copy of the lease before power can be turned on in the renter's name, if utilities are not included with rent.
There aren't really any neighborhoods in Lincoln, but the residential areas of this town serve the same purpose. There are apartments located close to the historic district in town, new residences in outlying areas, and the especially distinguished vintage residences located in Lincoln's traditional neighborhoods. There is an active town effort to preserve these vintage residences and neighborhoods.
There are certainly cities that are much larger than Lincoln, but the area is busy and well-populated with over 2,000 people living in each square mile. Area residents have a variety of commuting choices, as the Canadian National railroad and the Union Pacific railroad run through the city. Additionally, the Amtrak station is also located in the heart of the city, with a popular line running between Chicago and St. Louis.
Inns, taverns, steakhouses, and chain restaurants are all located within the boundaries of this tiny, but vibrant town. Foreign cuisine and other delicacies are also readily available. It's easy to walk from residences to many of these locations, as neighborhoods often have a mixture of businesses and residences in close proximity. The exception to this is the historic neighborhoods that are detached, but still nearby.
The courthouse where Lincoln's most notable resident, Abraham Lincoln, practiced law is long gone. The original Logan County Courthouse was eventually replaced by a three-story domed version in 1905. The earlier building had suffered such serious decay that repairing it was not an option. However, there are still landmarks in existence within Lincoln's boundaries that are unique or have significant historic significance. One of these well-known area landmarks is the "Railsplitter," reported to be the world's largest covered wagon. This attraction is popular with many tourists and features a giant statue of President Lincoln seated at the wagon's helm.
