The Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County (ALTBLC) began as a spark in a small storefront on Pulaski Street, then to a caboose at the historic Depot, then an upstairs bank office, and finally has grown most recently to a retro Information Station on Historic Route 66.   The Logan County Board insured an ordinance for the establishment of a 3% Hotel-Motel tax in December 1985.  With the foresight of tourism having an economic impact on a county, the county board, executive director Thressia Usherwood, Chairman Fred Hoppin and thirteen board members (see attached sheet) diligently began the certification process.  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs certified the ALTBLC on April 20, 1987.  The goal of the bureau was and still is to effectively administer the revenues from the Logan County Hotel-Motel tax.  In 1987 this total was about $25,000.  With expansion of I-55 and I-155, there have been three new hotel-motel chains develop in Lincoln, IL with a current total of 8 hotel-motels.  Currently, the revenue is approximately $99,000, and the challenging mission of the ALTBLC has been to enhance the Logan County economy through the development of tourism.
 

The city of Lincoln originated in August 1853 with the first lots being sold with Abraham Lincoln being in attendance.  He was asked at the day of the sale to officially "christen the town," of Lincoln, IL. He got a watermelon from a farmer's wagon and conducted a brief ceremony using the juice of a watermelon.  The picture at right is one of the reenactment of the Christening of Lincoln, performed by Charles Ott and three local men.

Lincoln, Illinois is the only town named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president. One of the only two pieces of property Lincoln ever owned is in Lincoln, Illinois just across from the Logan County Courthouse.
 

Lincoln College was named for Lincoln on his last living birthday on February 12,1865.  Shown at left is a picture of the statue of Abraham Lincoln which stands at the front of the Lincoln College Museum, a tribute and museum to the man whom the college is named for.  The front of the statue reads "I shall prepare myself, someday my chance will come."

Members of a gang who plotted in 1876 to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln from his tomb in Springfield stopped by a tavern in Lincoln, Illinois to discuss their plans.  Now 129 years later, ALTBLC is enticing people to visit Logan County to learn about these and other colorful tidbits of county history.
 

Postville Courthouse was Logan County's first courthouse and was visited by lawyer Abraham Lincoln while he traveled the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Today, Postville Courthouse State Historic Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Mt. Pulaski Courthouse State Historic site on the city square in Mt. Pulaski is one of only two surviving Eighth Judicial Circuit courthouses in Illinois where Abraham Lincoln practiced law.  The courthouse today (shown right) is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The ALTBLC assists the communities of Logan County with the historic preservation of their sites with volunteers and financial resources. Some of the sites include Postville Courthouse, Lincoln College Museum, Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, and J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum.  During the past fifteen years the bureau has conducted historical tours of these sites and other highlights of the county.  Fred Hoppin initiated the annual county tours to spur interest in Logan County tourism.  These motor coach tours give individuals the opportunity to experience the significant history of each community.  The bureau has helped advertise these sites and other festivals in Midwest Living, Home and Away, Travel America, Illinois and other travel magazines.  ALTBLC has published and distributed brochures, maps, directories, calendars of events, and a tourism website to assist in the promotion of these historic sites.  This provides a tremendous educational and economic impact on Logan County.

 The bureau has hosted many state/national events, including Route 66 banquet with overnight stays (10 years), Central IL Tourism Council, IL Chihuahua Show, IL Hereford Association, National Railsplitting Festival (35 years), and various sporting events.  ALTBLC has been a prime sponsor of the Lincoln Art and Balloon festival, one of the larges events in Logan County since its creation in 1989.  The bureau has hosted the BBC (TV station from Europe) to film various Lincoln/Logan County sites.  Lincoln College and ALTBLC co-sponsored C-span for the helicopter filming of Lincoln/Logan County.

Scattered across central Illinois are countless places where Abraham Lincoln lived, traveled, and worked.  These areas are part of the "Looking for Lincoln" experience.  Logan County has three communities to contribute to this distinction.  Lincoln, IL is known as the "namesake city" as it is the only town to be named for Lincoln before he became president.  The Lincoln College Museum contains a collection of Lincoln-related artifacts that includes the original 1860 Lincoln Presidential Campaign Banner, the ballot box in which he cast a vote, am extremely rare copy of "Mortality," Lincoln's favorite poem written in his own hand, and several of Mary Lincoln's personal items.  Elkhart, IL was settled in 1819 with Lincoln staying at the Kentucky House Tavern during his travels as a lawyer.  Mt. Pulaski Courthouse in Mt. Pulaski, IL is only one of two surviving Eighth Judicial Circuit courthouses in Illinois that is restored and operating in authenticity of Abraham Lincoln's experience.  There will always be a warm welcome to the many visitors who come to share experience in the "Looking for Lincoln" communities of Logan County.
 

In 1993 the board of directors and executive director published A. Lincoln in Logan County coloring book.  Many local volunteers assisted with designing, composing, illustrating, and printing of this tribute to Abraham Lincoln in Logan County.  Each year the bureau and volunteers host nearly 1000 school children on walking tours of Lincoln, IL.  These coloring books with crayons (from Logan County Farm Bureau Women's Committee) are given to the school children.   A video of Abraham Lincoln in Logan County was produced with community residents, complete with original attire and locations.  It was filmed at Maple Hurst home/wooden shed, Postville Courthouse, Elkhart, Mt. Pulaski, and Middletown.  The coordinated efforts of many citizens made this video a success.  This video is distributed to bus companies and available for other historical or tourism purposes.

Route 66 is a cultural icon that represents the spirit of America and reflects the modern expansion of transportation and commerce in our country.  The proximity of Logan County provides for the location of several Route 66 attractions.  "May I Take Your Order?" was a routine question along Route 66 during the hustle of hungry travelers along The Tropics Restaurant in Lincoln, IL. Vast arrays of "pony and horseshoe sandwiches" were served under the palm trees. The Mill on Route 66 served the famous "Schnitzel" sandwich that can still be eaten on the historic courthouse square.   The Pig Hip in Broadwell, IL was a favorite stop for the "pig hip" (ham) sandwich with its secret sauce.

J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, IL (shown at left) is the only wooden elevator in Illinois listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is symbolic of the early development of bulk grain handling.   The Elkhart, IL Texaco gas station was always ready to serve the fuel and repair needs of the early automobile on Route 66. The former director of ALTBLC, Thressia Usherwood (below with Charlie Ott) served on the Illinois Route 66 steering committee. Geoffrey Ladd, the current director is a board member representing Logan County on the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project and is a member of Route 66 Association of Illinois.

Railsplitting, goose plucking, cow milking, watermelon seed spitting, cross cut sawing and sheep shearing are several contest examples of the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Contest and Craft Festival.  This event began in 1970 to further promote the railsplitting era of Abraham Lincoln.  This is the original Railsplitting contest that the ALTBLC has supported financial and with volunteers.  The goal is to show visitors how their ancestors have lived and to preserve the historical significance of the pioneer life of Abraham Lincoln.
 

A long list of county volunteers has contributed to the 18-year history of ALTBLC.  Thressia Usherwood served as the dedicated executive director for over 17 years.  Geoffrey Ladd is the current director of the ALTBLC.  He comes with previous experience in the tourism industry and formally served 3 years at Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.  While in Jacksonville, Geoff assisted with the planning and promotion of all events held by the Tourism Bureau there.

Lincoln Impersonator Charles Ott & Thressia Usherwood

He has also met several of the national and state level government officials, including Senator Obama (pictured below left), State Senator Bomke, and State Representative Brauer (pictured below right), not to mention personal correspondence with President George W. Bush.

Left - with Senator Obama. Right - with Sen. Bomke & Rep. Brauer.

The board officers for the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County are:  Paul Gleason (chairman),  Annette Chapman (vice-chairwoman), Shirley Bartelmay (treasurer), and Gail Apel-Sasse (secretary). Charles Ott,  Robert McCue and Lucille Pech are chartered board members with long-term commitments to Logan County tourism.  Alberta Hellman, Ron Keller. Stacie Wachtel, and Gillett Ransom help complete the board member roster.

The 30,000 residents of Logan County have reason to be proud.  Their county is rich in the heritage of one of Illinois's most famous sons-Abraham Lincoln.  ALTBLC will continue to enhance the Logan County economy through tourism. With the vast array of talented volunteers and historical sites the bureau will continue to coordinate the efforts to promote Logan County.