Aledo in Mercer County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Abraham Lincoln in Mercer County
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023
1. Abraham Lincoln in Mercer County Marker
Abraham Lincoln visited Mercer County on at least two occasions. On May 7 and 8, 1832, at the onset of the Black Hawk War, Captain Lincoln led his company of Illinois militia northeast from Oquawka to the Rock River at Milan through Mercer County, passing west of Aledo and east of Millersburg. After crossing the Edwards River at “Army Ford” (now 151st Street), the militia made camp on a small creek several miles to the north, subsequently named “Camp Creek” to note the occasion.
In late September 1834, the future sixteenth President of the United States rode from New Salem to Yellow Banks, the Indian name given to a 17-mile stretch of the eastern bank of the Mississippi River between Oquawka and New Boston, known for its prominent banks of yellow sand. At Upper (northern) Yellow Banks Lincoln spent several days surveying a town site and, on September 30, he completed a plat of survey of what is now the Town of New Boston. This was the first of several town sites he ultimately surveyed.
Erected 2008 by William C. Ives • The Mercer County Board of Supervisors • The Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 41° 11.987′ N, 90° 44.897′ W. Marker is in Aledo, Illinois, in Mercer County. Marker is at the intersection of Southeast 3rd Street (State Road 17/94) and Southeast 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Southeast 3rd Street. Marker is at the northeast corner of the Mercer County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 SE 3rd St, Aledo IL 61231, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lest We Forget (within shouting distance of this marker); Roosevelt Military Academy / Rough Riders (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated in Memory of Spec 4 Timothy Joe McGreight (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Aledo, Illinois (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roosevelt Military Academy World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Women's Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mercer County Soldiers' Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aledo.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023
2. Abraham Lincoln in Mercer County Marker
Marker is on the grounds of the Mercer County Courthouse (background to the right).
Also see . . . Survey of New Boston, Illinois. Papers of Abraham Lincoln Digital Library website entry:
Transcript and link to digital image of Lincoln's plat. (Submitted on August 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
