Lewistown in Fulton County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lewistown Trail

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2012

1. Lewistown Trail Marker

Inscription. Lewistown Trail, from Springfield to Galena via Lewistown, was one of the main routes to the Galena Lead Mines from 1827 to 1837. The Trail crossed the Illinois River at Havana, where Ossian M. Ross, the founder of Lewistown, operated a ferry. He was one of three men who surveyed and marked out the trail. The Springfield-Lewistown section was made a post road in 1834. At that time Abraham Lincoln was postmaster at New Salem, one of the towns on the road.

Erected 1974 by Fulton County Historical Society and Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Illinois State Historical Society series lists.

Location. 40° 23.808′ N, 90° 9.32′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Illinois, in Fulton County. It is on North Main Street (Illinois Route 97) north of West Lincoln Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the

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southeast corner of the Fulton County Courthouse grounds, facing North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North Main Street, Lewistown IL 61542, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Revolutionary War Veterans (a few steps from this marker); World Wars Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Fulton County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Narrow Gauge Depot (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eveland: An Early Mississippian Ceremonial Center (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Lewistown Trail Marker (<i>wide view; Fulton County Courthouse, east entrance, in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2012

2. Lewistown Trail Marker (wide view; Fulton County Courthouse, east entrance, in background)

of all markers in Lewistown.

More about this marker. Marker is a painted metal plaque, mounted at eye-level on a metal post.

Also see . . .
1. Ossian M. Ross. Ossian M. Ross was a pioneer farmer, stock-raiser, and merchant in Illinois, who served as a major in the War of 1812 and subsequently founded the Illinois towns of Lewistown and Havana, and who also played a prominent role in establishing Fulton and Mason counties in that state. Ossian Ross donated a quarter-section of his land to the town for the establishment of a public square, courthouse, jail, church, and Masonic temple. (Submitted on January 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Abraham Lincoln, Postmaster. Two postmasters became U.S. Presidents later in their careers — Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman. Truman held the title and signed papers but immediately turned the position and its pay over to an assistant. Lincoln was the only President who had served as a postmaster. On May 7, 1833, 24-year-old Lincoln was appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois. Lincoln served until the office was closed May 30, 1836.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 22, 2025

3. Lewistown Trail Marker

Marker is in front of Fulton County Courthouse.

The United States Official Register, published in odd-numbered years, dutifully records A. Lincoln as receiving compensation of $55.70 in the 1835 volume and $19.48 for one quarter’s work in the 1837 volume. Besides his pay, Lincoln, as postmaster, could send and receive personal letters free and get one daily newspaper delivered free. (Submitted on January 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,764 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on February 24, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.