Atlanta in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta

Looking for Lincoln

— 1860 —

"Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020

1. "Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta Marker

Inscription.

"Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta. Looking for Lincoln. , Political parties in 1860 often served as social clubs, as well as electoral organizations. One such group established to support Abraham Lincoln was the "Wide Awakes" - a chapter of which was formed in Atlanta, Illinois on June 22, 1860, with H.N. Estabrook selected as its Captain. These groups, usually made up of young, unmarried men, marched through the streets of downtown Atlanta in support of their candidate in solemn, torch-lit spectacles. At other times, they gathered to sing political songs and rally the party faithful to the polls. Groups like the Wide Awakes were also formed for the purpose of poll watching, to defend against purported attempts of ballot tampering by their political opponents. The Atlanta Wide Awakes adopted two campaign banners to support Abraham Lincoln. One, shown to the right, was titled "The Nation's Choice." It was designed by R.D. Neal and Dr. R.N. Lawrence of Atlanta. , The nation's choice banner was first used by the Atlanta Wide Awakes during a campaign rally in Lincoln, Illinois and is now on display at the Lincoln College Museum located there. The banner consisted of a rough sketch done in lampblack on a tan, textured fabric, which showed a profile view of Lincoln with his hair in careless disorder. People who knew Lincoln at the time said it was an excellent likeness. , Another banner adopted by the Atlanta Wide Awakes depicted Abraham Lincoln and his running mate, Hannibal Hamlin. This banner was given a place of honor at a political rally held in Springfield on August 8, 1860, when 80,000 people crowded the state capital to celebrate Lincoln's presidential nomination. At 10:00 A.M. that morning a massive parade began with citizens from Atlanta in attendance, carrying their Lincoln/Hamlin banner. The Lincoln/Hamlin banner was also the work of R.D. Neal and Dr. R.N. Lawrence of Atlanta. The banner measures five feet ten inches by four feet ten inches and includes images of a maul, ax, and wedge symbolizing Lincoln as the "railsplitter." This banner is on display at the Lincoln College Museum, in Lincoln, Illinois.

Political parties in 1860 often served as social clubs, as well as electoral organizations. One such group established to support Abraham Lincoln was the "Wide Awakes" - a chapter of which was formed in Atlanta, Illinois on June 22, 1860, with H.N. Estabrook selected as its Captain. These groups, usually made up of young, unmarried men, marched through the streets of downtown Atlanta in support of their candidate in solemn, torch-lit spectacles. At other times, they gathered to sing political songs and rally the party faithful to the polls. Groups like the Wide Awakes were also formed for the purpose of poll watching, to defend against purported attempts of ballot tampering by their political opponents. The Atlanta Wide Awakes adopted two campaign banners to support Abraham Lincoln. One, shown to the right, was titled "The Nation's Choice." It was designed by R.D. Neal and Dr. R.N. Lawrence of Atlanta.

The nation's choice banner was first used by the Atlanta Wide Awakes during a campaign rally in Lincoln, Illinois and is now on display at the Lincoln College Museum located there. The banner consisted of a rough sketch done in lampblack on a tan, textured fabric, which showed a profile view of Lincoln with his hair in careless disorder. People who knew Lincoln at the time said it was an excellent likeness.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Another banner adopted by the Atlanta Wide Awakes depicted Abraham Lincoln and his running mate, Hannibal Hamlin. This banner was given a place of honor at a political rally held in Springfield on August 8, 1860, when 80,000 people crowded the state capital to celebrate Lincoln's presidential nomination. At 10:00 A.M. that morning a massive parade began with citizens from Atlanta in attendance, carrying their Lincoln/Hamlin banner. The Lincoln/Hamlin banner was also the work of R.D. Neal and Dr. R.N. Lawrence of Atlanta. The banner measures five feet ten inches by four feet ten inches and includes images of a maul, ax, and wedge symbolizing Lincoln as the "railsplitter." This banner is on display at the Lincoln College Museum, in Lincoln, Illinois.

Erected 2008 by Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and City of Atlanta.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1860.

Location. 40° 15.648′ N, 89° 13.873′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Illinois, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of Northwest Vine Street and SW Arch Street, on the right when traveling

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020

2. "Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta Marker

Looking northeast on Arch Street

east on Northwest Vine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 NW Vine St, Atlanta IL 61723, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

and in Greater Springfield.

It is also 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 walking distance of this marker: September 11 Eagle (here, next to this marker); The Bunyon Giant (a few steps from this marker); "Wisteria Café" Mural (a few steps from this marker); "Palms Grill Café" Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); "Reisch Beer" Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); The Biggest Friend Your Car Will Ever Have! (within shouting distance of this marker); Snerd Giant (within shouting distance of this marker); Midway on Illinois's Mother Road Mural (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Other markers no longer nearby. Bunyon's Statue (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "Atlanta: Midway on Illinois' Mother Road" Mural (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Looking for Lincoln (official website). The organization has erected a Lincoln story trail from the mid-2000s to the present day. (Submitted on February 23, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Paid Advertisement

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 23, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.