The city of Lincoln is also the home of the world's largest covered wagon.
"Created in 2001 by Illinois local David Bentley, the Railsplitter began as a project to kill time during his recovery from surgery. The four-wheeled wagon is built out of steel and oak and stands an impressive 25 feet tall and 40 feet long. It is designed like a classic prairie schooner with a deep central bed and a bench at the front where the driver would command, in this case frighteningly large, chargers. Sitting in the bench of the Railsplitter is none other than beloved 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, albeit a 12-foot tall, fiberglass version of the man. In an oddly modern twist, Lincoln is molded here reading a book simply titled, “Law,” while he steers the wagon across the metaphorical plains.
The wagon was finished to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the novelty-rotten road, Route 66, along which the Railsplitter now sits. The wagon was originally placed outside of Bentley’s house but was moved to its current home in Lincoln, Illinois in 2007. A large storm did a great deal of damage to the vehicle in 2014, but with the dauntless perseverance of the American frontier, local volunteers had it repaired in no time.
The wagon has been recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as the “World’s Largest Covered Wagon,” an honor that is unlikely to have a number of challengers ." Information derived from here.
As indicated in this post a replica of the original Logan County Courthouse was constructed in 1953 and is still standing as a tourist attraction.
" Abraham Lincoln visited this historic site twice a year on the circuit when the town of Postville was the Logan County seat from 1840 to 1848. The original building, erected in 1840, was one of the destinations of the old Eighth Judicial Circuit.
When Lincoln first attended court here, he was a junior partner of John Todd Stuart. By 1844 he had opened his own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner. Lincoln's friend and colleague, Samuel Treat, was the presiding judge and traveled with the lawyers." http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/tours/lawpostville2.htm
And finally to conclude the tour of Lincoln Illinois here are a few photos of buildings that caught my eye as I was leaving town.
This church was built by the Zion Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It is a small log cabin chapel next to Route 66 and is open for all travelers. When I came upon it a couple was cleaning up the area. They told me that at one time this chapel was open to visitors at all times, but due to increase in vandalism they have had no other options but to lock the doors in order to keep intruders out. Sadly a sign of our times.
These two buildings caught my eye because of the before and after effect. Identical buildings; one having been restored and the other.....well, let's say it needs the helping hands of Cher's plastic surgeon 😁
Well that concludes our tour of Lincoln, Illinois. Hope you enjoyed the jaunt.
Next stop?
Hang around and ye shall find out 😊.
"The World's Largest Covered Wagon"... that isn't covered... I'm confused.