Charleston in Coles County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Coles County Courthouse

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 15, 2021

1. Coles County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. On December 25, 1830, the Illinois General Assembly created Coles County. At this time, Charleston became the county seat and was just a hamlet called "Coles Courthouse." In 1831, a log-cabin courthouse was constructed. About four years later, a two-story four-square courthouse replaced the first. It was in the second courthouse in 1847 that Abraham Lincoln argued one of his most famous cases, the Matson Slave Trial, in which he represented a slave owner. The current Richardsonian Romanesque courthouse, designed by famed Chicago architect Cornelius W. Rapp, was constructed in 1898-1900.

Erected 2014 by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Coles County and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Illinois State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 25, 1830.

Location. 39° 29.683′ N, 88° 10.501′ W. Marker is in Charleston, Illinois, in Coles County. It is on Jackson Street east of 6th Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at the south entrance of Coles County Courthouse, next to the steps. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 651 Jackson Street, Charleston IL 61920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (here, next to this marker); The Charleston Riot (a few steps from this marker); Coles County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Rally After the Debate / Lincoln in Coles County (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribute of Coles County in Honor of Her Sons Who Fought for the Union (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln-Douglas Debate at Charleston (approx. 0.7 miles away); Liberty Church (approx. 6.3 miles away); Moore House (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 15, 2021

2. Coles County Courthouse Marker

close-up of marker at the steps and entrance

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 15, 2021

3. Coles County Courthouse Marker

Marker with a full view of Coles County Courthouse (taken from across the street)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.