Four Score and Seven Years ago… or something like that
In the years of 1843 - 1850, Lincoln would travel throughout Tazewell County and the surrounding areas on his horse(s) Tom and Old Buck to work as a lawyer in the various courts around the area. He would stay in the apartment above what is now Holland’s Mercantile. Across the street from where his apartment building was, he would tie up his horse(s), which is marked now with bronze footsteps.
In 1858, Lincoln would sit near the front windows of the shop that was beneath his apartment. He would write speeches that he would deliver on the corner, marked now also with bronze footsteps, while he was running for Senator.
1843 - 1858
Abraham Lincoln makes frequent visits in the area during his political career:
MAY 1, 1843 - Attends Whig Party district convention in Pekin, Illinois
OCTOBER 25 - NOVEMBER 6, 1844 - Speaks in Illinois and Indiana on behalf of Henry Clay
MAY 1, 1846 - Wins Whig Party nomination for Seventh Congressional District
AUGUST 3, 1846 - Wins election to Congress as Whig Party representative
DECEMBER 6, 1847 - Takes seat in U.S. House of Representatives
DECEMBER 22, 1847 - Presents "Spot Resolutions" in U.S. House of Representatives
JUNE 7-9, 1848 - Attends national Whig Party convention in Philadelphia
JULY 4, 1848 - Probably attends Washington Monument cornerstone ceremony
SEPTEMBER 12-22, 1848 - Speaks on behalf of Zachary Taylor in Massachusetts
JANUARY 10, 1849 - Proposes amendment to abolish slavery in District of Columbia
MARCH 4, 1849 - Ends first and only term in U.S. House of Representatives
SEPTEMBER 27, 1849 - Declines appointment as governor of Oregon Territory
JULY 6, 1852 - Delivers a eulogy on Henry Clay in Springfield
OCTOBER 16, 1854 - Gives famous anti-Nebraska Act speech in Peoria, Illinois
NOVEMBER 7, 1854 - Wins election to Illinois House of Representatives
NOVEMBER 10, 1854 - Decides to run for U.S. Senate instead
DECEMBER 23, 1854 - Special election held to choose his successor to Illinois legislature
FEBRUARY 8, 1855 - Loses bid for Senate when Illinois legislature elects Lyman Trumbull
MAY 29, 1856 - Delivers stirring "lost speech" as a Republican in Bloomington, Illinois
JUNE 19, 1856 - Considered for vice president at first Republican National Convention
AUGUST 27, 1856 - Makes political speech at a Republican rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan
JUNE 26, 1857 - Speaks against Dred Scott court decision in Springfield, Illinois
JUNE 16, 1858 - Chosen as U.S. Senate candidate by Illinois Republican Convention; gives "House Divided" speech
AUGUST 21, 1858 - Begins first of seven formal debates with Democrat Stephen A. Douglas
In 1858 Abraham Lincoln left this area to pursue the presidency only to visit seldomly before his death, marked by the third set of footprints, always returning to the apartment on his visits.
While visiting this area, feel free to partake in the rest of the history contained in the various reference points.
TO LOG THIS VIRTUAL, FEEL FREE TO COMPARE YOUR FOOT ALONG SIDE HONEST ABE'S FOOTPRINT AND SNAP A PICTURE OF IT AND ATTACH IT TO YOUR LOG.
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