Near Mattoon in Coles County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District
Shelby / Coles Counties
— County Line Marker —
Photographed By Al Wolf, August 31, 2008
1. Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District Marker
This is the "border marker" for Shelby and Coles County - at a place along the route that Lincoln and his fellow lawyers traveled to conduct legal duties at the Shelby County Court House in Shelbyville, Illinois.
traveled this way as he rode
the Circuit of the
Eighth Judicial District 1847 - 1859
Erected 1922 by the Lincoln Circuit Marking Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 39° 26.383′ N, 88° 27.191′ W. Marker is near Mattoon, Illinois, in Coles County. Marker is at the intersection of Old State Road and County Route 100E, on the left when traveling west on Old State Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mattoon IL 61938, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Site of The Village of Richmond (approx. 2½ miles away); Gene Goodwin Park (approx. 2.6 miles away); Cole Edward Spencer (approx. 2.6 miles away); Confederate Operatives In Mattoon (approx. 5 miles away); General U. S Grant took Command (approx. 5.1 miles away); In the National Spotlight
this page online
More about this marker. From U.S. Highway 57 exit east at State Road #16. Turn right at (first) County Road 870E, travel south to County Road #7 and turn west onto State Road #7. State Road #7 becomes known as "Old State Highway" just past County Road 280E. In a short distance - the marker will be on the left.
Also see . . .
1. The REAL Lincoln Highway. Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association entry:
The “leading authority" on Abraham Lincoln's trail as he and his fellow lawyers worked on the Illinois Eighth Judicial District of 1847 - 1859. See Map and History of the special Marker Series written by Guy Fraker. Over more than four hundred miles of Illinois were traveled by Lincoln and his fellow Lawyers per journey around the Circuit by horse and buggy. For students and 'they that seek' a better understanding of life in the 1860's - - this is indeed a Historical trip through the heart-land of America on the roads of Illinois. (Submitted on September 2, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. Fraker, Guy C. Looking for Lincoln in Illinois: A Guide to Lincoln’s Eighth Judicial Circuit.. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2017; 130 pp.
If you’ve ever wanted to retrace Abraham Lincoln’s footsteps as a lawyer, Guy Fraker’s A Guide
Photographed By Al Wolf, August 31, 2008
2. Wide View:: Abraham Lincoln - - Boundry Marker
The Marker sits on the South side of the road. The original post (county plates) were totally destroyed. The main plaque was salvaged and this new type base was built. A ceremony in June 1979 rededicated it into use as Lincoln's County Boundry Marker for Shelby/Coles Counties.
The third in the series of “Looking for Lincoln” guidebooks by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, A Guide to Lincoln’s Eighth Judicial Circuit is the best way to tour the circuit short of having Guy Fraker, a retired lawyer, lead you in person. Printed on high quality glossy paper with dozens of color and black and white photographs and pictures, Fraker divides the tour into four segments, each of which has a basic map (not really adequate to use as a guide but much better than nothing), excellent turn-by-turn instructions, the locations of County Line Markers and Courthouse Markers, Wayside Exhibits, Lincoln points of interest, background information on people, places, and legal cases, unique Lincoln stories, as well as the inns and hotels where the legal entourage frequently stayed while on the circuit.
Only two Courthouses in which Lincoln practiced law exist today, one in Metamora and the other in Mt. Pulaski, and both are gems. James Cornelius, curator of the Lincoln Collection at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, suggests that three or four days be set aside to properly take in all the sites, and I agree with him.
My son Alex and I scheduled a week, one
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010
3. Photo Up-Date 2010 - - Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District Marker
Additional commentary.
1. It is time . . .
Considering the fact that the original base with the county plates still exists, it is a good time to restore the Shelby/Coles county-line marker at its original location, especially since the centennial of the placement of the markers in 1922 is upon us. Nothing need to be done to the restoration on the brick base that exists now. Leave it just as it is, but . . . restore the original! Both will coexist quite nicely.
— Submitted July 14, 2021, by Dr. Tom Peet of Gahanna, Ohio.
Photographed By Dan Korowicki
4. Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District Marker
The original base with the Shelby/Coles county plates still exists in its original location.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 5, 2021
5. All the County Line Markers
HMDB marker entries, in order of Lincoln's travels through them along the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District, 1847 - 1857
(Kevin W. of Stafford Virginia; October 10, 2008)
Click for more information.
(Kevin W. of Stafford Virginia; October 10, 2008)
Click for more information.
Photographed By Larry Gertner
6. All the Lincoln Circuit Markers
Climb into Lincoln’s buggy and take a trip with Lincoln and his fellow lawyers on the job traveling Illinois as Circuit Lawyers. See all the related HMDb Lincoln Circuit Markers (and a surprise or two), in the order of his travels while a member of the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District (of Illinois) during 1847-1857. Use the “First >>” button in the upper right to see these markers in sequence, starting from Springfield.
(Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana; October 17,2008)
Click for more information.
(Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana; October 17,2008)
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,865 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 3. submitted on May 20, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4. submitted on July 14, 2021, by Dr. Tom Peet of Gahanna, Ohio. 5. submitted on May 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on May 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Pictures and/or information about the June 1979 Rededication of this marker. • Can you help?
