Athens in Menard County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Long Nine Banquet Site

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 3, 2014

1. Long Nine Banquet Site Marker

Inscription. In this structure, built about 1832, residents of the Athens area held a banquet on August 3, 1837, for the 'Long Nine' - Abraham Lincoln and the other State legislators from Sangamon County. The men, whose height totaled fifty-four feet, were honored for their success in the tenth General Assembly in changing the State Capitol from Vandalia to Springfield. State offices were moved in 1839. At the Athens banquet Lincoln gave a toast: “Sangamon County will ever be true to her best interests and never more so than in reciprocating the good feelings of the citizens of Athens and neighborhood.”

Erected 1974 by Long Nine, Inc. and The Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 39° 57.605′ N, 89° 43.431′ W. Marker is in Athens, Illinois, in Menard County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is on the

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southeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens IL 62613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois,

specifically in the Illinois River Valley,

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Abraham Lincoln, Deputy Surveyor, Sangamon County, Illinois (here, next to this marker); Lincoln and the City of Athens (within shouting distance of this marker); Mott & Henning Funeral Home (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); V.F.W. Post 5302 Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); In Memory Of All Veterans (approx. 3 miles away); The Cantrall Christian Church (approx.

Long Nine Banquet Site Marker <i>on right</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 3, 2014

2. Long Nine Banquet Site Marker on right

Abraham Lincoln, Deputy Surveyor Marker is on the left.

3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Long Nine Banquet Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 3, 2014

3. Long Nine Banquet Site

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 565 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.