Lincoln's Neighborhood Springfield Illinois May 2022

 

Surrounding Abraham Lincoln's Home in Springfield Illinois, is Abe's old neighborhood.  It is also preserved and managed by the National Park Service.  Here is a video I posted to youtube about it.

Scheels Sporting Goods Springfield Illinois May 2022

 

Scheel's in Springfield is easily one of the most fun places I have shopped at recently!  There is a Ferris wheel AND animatronic Presidents!

Oak Ridge Cemetery and Lincoln's Tomb Illinois May 2022

AND....  here is a video I posted to youtube covering our visit to Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield Illinois!  We visited a couple of other site at Oak Ridge Cemetery too- including the final resting place of William Herndon!

Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site Springfield Illinois May 2022

 

Here is a complete tour video of the Abraham Lincoln Home in Springfield Illinois!  Thank you National Park Service! 

"Young Lincoln" by Jan Jacobi

On our recent trip to Springfield, we noticed author Jan Jacobi signing copies of his book, "Young Lincoln".

I THINK Jan described the book as a middle school level read (he has been involved with that level of teaching for several decades himself) but I felt that this book had more substance than that.  This is a well written, and thoughtful book that any reader will enjoy.

The book is written from Lincoln's perspective, as he moves through Kentucky, Indiana, and New Salem Illinois.  All of the main players and influencers of Abe's early life are here.

Jacobi does a great job of channeling Lincoln.  I absolutely feel like this might be the closest thing we could have to a journal of young Abraham Lincoln's life.

Jan doesn't avoid the hard issues either- Lincoln's struggles with depression, religion, and his own self doubt are addressed- and they are addressed in a relatable way.  Any young person reading this one will be able to relate with the future President's emotional struggles.

I want to mention that I especially enjoyed meeting the author in the very appropriate venue of the visitor center at Lincoln's Springfield home.  Jan took the time to talk at length with anyone who approached him and he also made a lengthy inscription in each book (I love it when authors do this).

Jan was also a very warm person, excited to discuss Abe, Springfield and the area.  In his writing, and in his personality, he has truly connected with Mr. Lincoln.  I wouldn't want to suggest that Mt. Jacobi should sport a black top hat at his signings to promote his book...  but he could easily pull such a thing off with no effort.

This is a really nice book covering Abraham's early life.  Yes, it is historic fiction, but the author lists his sources extensively, and has made a Schaara like effort to get into the minds of his subjects.  This book gets my highest possible recommendation.  

Oh, and I know a follow up book is out there...  I am sure I will be reviewing that in the near future.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Springfield Illinois May 2022

We saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile while we were in Springfield Illinois!

Lincoln Herndon Law Offices Springfield Illinois May 2022

 Here is a brief look at the Lincoln Herndon Law Office in Springfield Illinois!  Abe practiced here, and its now a visitor center!

Di Pieros Italian Restaurant Springfield Illinois May 2022

  

Di Piero's Restaurant in Springfield is easily my favorite Italian Restaurant, and it has a great connection to Abraham Lincoln!

Its cozy, classy and the food is perfect!

"The Expedition of the Donner Party and Its Tragic Fate" by Eliza P Donner Houghton

So, a buddy of mine got back from a road trip and picked up "The Expedition of the Donner Party and Its Tragic Fate" by Eliza P. Donner Houghton while he was visiting Donner Lake!

He knows that I love history, especially pioneer related stories, and strange ones.  Well, as I am sure you know, the Donner Party's story fits that bill for sure!

AND, I was about to visit Springfield Illinois again for the FOURTH time....  Springfield has a TON of history (the names Lincoln and Obama come to mind) but the town was also the starting point for the Donner Expedition.  There is a marker right by the old Court House about this, and the members of the party camped out there at the beginning of their sad adventure out west.

The Donner story has been told a million times, and I think most of us know the main details....  but, I think many people forget that this was a brave group who was willing to risk everything  for a new start in the west.  This was, in many ways a moving town with rules, leaders and norms.  Good things happened, and so did bad things.

This book is the telling of the story told by the daughter of Jack Donner, who was part of the Expedition, as a three year old.  Much of what she tells is second hand information given to her years later.  She does discuss crime among the party members.  She talks about a mother "trading" out the young Donners clothes to benefit her own daughters.  She talks of her being abandoned by mem paid to help get her to safety.  And she talks openly about finding an adopted family that helps her after the death of her own parents.

Yes, we all know about the cannibalism in the Donner story (the author, surely for self protection mentally, accepts a story that contradicts most of the known facts)- but this book is a real, personal tale of what could go wrong to those early pioneers.

Springhill Suites by Marriott Springfield Illinois May 2022

Don't be tricked into staying at downtown hotels in Springfield just because they are named after President Lincoln (seriously, that place is terrible).

Check out Springhill Suites by Marriott!  It has easy parking, it is clean and modern.  Only 10 minutes or so from downtown.  We REALLY liked this place.

Here is a brief video I posted about it.

Springfield Illinois May 2022

 

We visited Springfield Illinois for a fourth time recently  I really enjoy this town and all of its history.

There is, of course, all of the great Abraham Lincoln and Illinois Government history, and there are some incredible independent businesses.  

I will put up some more videos of the various places in town that I love, but here is a quick one about this trip....