(all photo captions)
Like many in our community, Louis Sedentop made his living as a farmer. Arriving in America from Germany in 1835, he settled on eighty acres of land in Montgomery County. He married Honora Leonard in 1859 and they . . . — — Map (db m281220) HM
This monument is dedicated to all the men and women who served in the armed forces during war and peace so America will always stand for freedom — — Map (db m237184) WM
"Ahh, it's good to be here with my friends. That was a long trip. Do I hear music?"
Abraham Lincoln has just arrived on Courthouse Square and is stretching to get the kinks out of his back after traveling by train from Mattoon and by buggy from . . . — — Map (db m188661) HM
Hillsboro was founded in 1823. Abundant natural resources shaped its economic landscape, such as the eight-foot vein of coal underlying the town. Coal from Hillsboro and nearby Taylor Springs and Kortkamp was primarily used locally rather than . . . — — Map (db m281209) HM
The Hillsboro Plaza was "born" on July 17, 2001, about 7:20 p.m., when a rain storm with strong winds blew through town and forever changed this corner sight. The southwest portion of the former Hillsboro National Bank building collapsed. The . . . — — Map (db m188663) HM
In 2008, Old Settlers Association President Kathy Dagon proposed a public tribute in honor of the 125th Old Settlers celebration - a depiction of Abraham Lincoln to stand upon the newly constructed Hillsboro Plaza. Following a substantial . . . — — Map (db m188662) HM
While in Hillsboro, Lincoln often visited his good friends, Joseph and Jane Eccles - affectionately known as "Uncle Joe" and "Aunt Jane" - at their home on the corner of Berry and East Water streets. The Eccles couple visited President and Mrs. . . . — — Map (db m281212) HM
Montgomery County
Courthouse
1870-1994
has been placed on the
National Register
Of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m188664) HM
During intermission, hotdogs dance across the screen, luring moviegoers to the Sky View's concession stand.
Like most outdoor theaters, the Sky View always had a busy playground below the screen where the children played before the movie began. . . . — — Map (db m138390) HM
The Shifting Highway
In 1924, Pete Adam opened the first Ariston in Carlinville next to the original alignment of Route 66. When the highway was rerouted in 1929, Pete moved his cafe next to the new 66 in Litchfield (across the street from . . . — — Map (db m147474) HM
George Gustavus Lafferty served as the principal of Litchfield High school from 1924-1926. He died in 1926 at the age of 53. Reports say he "brought order out of chaotic conditions in his two years' work in Litchfield. Mr. Lafferty left this . . . — — Map (db m229507) HM
In the 1800's and early 1900's, hitching posts, made of granite, concrete or cast iron, were a very common feature lining city streets. Litchfield was no exception.
This hitching post was originally in front of a house located at 718 North . . . — — Map (db m281205) HM
Dave Jackson, lifelong resident, and former editor of the Litchfield News Herald, wanted Litchfield to have a museum. Jackson had a large collection of Litchfield memorabilia which he hoped to share and preserve. He died in May of 2010 before his . . . — — Map (db m159654) HM
United States Air Force Integrity First
United States Army This We'll Defend
United States Navy Not Self But Country
United States Marine Corps Semper Fi
United States Merchant Marine Act Don't Talk
United . . . — — Map (db m237329) WM
Route 66, the Mother Road, is an American icon that symbolizes romance and freedom of the open road. Born in 1926, Route 66 was one of the first numbered U.S. highways, journeying 2,500 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, you can still "get . . . — — Map (db m144543) HM
In the late 1800's in Shelby County, Illinois, William W. McDaniel and his son John H. started the McDaniel & Son blacksmith and livery store. John began developing an idea to harness the abundant Illinois wind to improve farm production and rural . . . — — Map (db m159650) HM
Route 66, one of the original highways in the US Highway System, was established on November, 11, 1926. It became one of the most famous roads in the US, passing through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and . . . — — Map (db m159643) HM
The Schutt mosaic was donated to the Museum by the City of Litchfield in September of 2020. Before arriving at the Museum, it was embedded in the entryway of the building located at 409 N. State Street.
William A. Schutt established the . . . — — Map (db m229510) HM
The cornerstone of the American Radiator plant was laid on June 9, 1904. The plant occupied 28 acres on the southeast edge of town and produced cast iron radiators. During World War II, it converted to the manufacture of sand-molded magnesium . . . — — Map (db m147469) HM
Satisfying local patrons and international travelers since 1924, this landmark stop continues to attract diners who "remember where good food is served"
Route 66 Roadside Attraction Recognized by Hampton Hotels Save-A-Landmark program as . . . — — Map (db m138435) HM
In 1876, the Litchfield Car and Machine Company was formed by David Orr Settlemire. The company was a reorganization of the Litchfield Car Manufacturing Company and the machine shops and foundry of H.H. Beach and Company which had consolidated in . . . — — Map (db m229511) HM
The cornerstone for the Litchfield Community High School was laid in the fall of 1923. By the spring of the next year, the building was near completion and the class of 1924 held commencement exercises in the spacious new auditorium.
The . . . — — Map (db m147471) HM
Vic Suhling first leased this property from Charles and Maude Modlin. He built a new gas station and erected this Vic Suhling/Gas for Less sign. He later purchased this property from them in 1961. The business closed in 1968 . but not for long. It . . . — — Map (db m147386) HM
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. In grateful and loving memory this monument is dedicated to Litchfield's sons who died in their country's defense to preserve the freedom its citizens enjoy
Their . . . — — Map (db m237457) WM
William Roy Bost came to Litchfield in the winter of 1903-1904
He owned several businesses over the years including a farm implement and buggy business. For more information, visit the display inside the museum.
Wagon donated . . . — — Map (db m281208) HM
1964 F4 Phantom - one of 5,000 made. Took its first flight in 1965. During its years of service, it was with the Missouri Air National Guard, among others, before retiring in 1985 to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
When . . . — — Map (db m188659) HM
Hank Schlesser was born in Evergreen Park, IL. When his Fran, married Ralph Benning. Hank moved to Raymond. He had worked on boats and anything electrical or mechanical as a teenager. When he arrived in Raymond, he decided to open a TV repair . . . — — Map (db m238218) HM
Mary Harris was born in Cork, Ireland in 1837. Her family fled to Toronto during the famine. She moved to Memphis in 1860, married George Jones, an iron molder and proud union man. They had four children together.
Mary Jones moved to Chicago, . . . — — Map (db m156812) HM
Even though it was wonderful to have a paved, hard road to travel on, many motor vehicle accidents did occur on Route 66.
In 1959, this shrine was erected to remind motorists of the potential dangers and offered a place to say a prayer for a . . . — — Map (db m156780) HM
Beneath us lies one of the nation's richest coal seams, formed 300 million years ago and covering two-thirds of Illinois. Coal made this state an industrial and economic powerhouse by the 1880s - it drove the machinery, heated the homes, smelted . . . — — Map (db m149886) HM
