The town's first schoolhouse was a two-story, wood-framed building located near what is now the west corner of Main Street and Hickory Avenue. The first graduating class in 1887 consisted of two people.
When fire destroyed the building in 1913, . . . — — Map (db m226065) HM
Kenneth Leon “Tug” Wilson was a collegiate athlete, Olympian, educator, Rotarian and amateur sports administrator who promoted physical fitness, sportsmanship and humanitarian service around the world.
Born March 27, 1896 in Atwood, Wilson grew . . . — — Map (db m226052) HM
Edgar Camp came to Bement in 1855 along with two brothers. As one of the early settlers, he assisted in building the first houses. The Camp boys were joined by another brother in 1858.
When Civil War broke out, Edgar, James and William . . . — — Map (db m23897) HM
Bryant Cottage was built in 1856 by Francis E. Bryant (1818 - 1889), a friend and political ally of Senator Stephen A. Douglas. According to Bryant family tradition, on the evening of July 29, 1858, Douglas and Abraham Lincoln conferred in the . . . — — Map (db m23899) HM
Lincoln wrote Douglas on July 24, 1858, challenging him “to divide time and address the same audiences” during the campaign. The Senator suggested seven locations, adding, “I will confer with you at the earliest . . . — — Map (db m23858) HM
A pocket watch is meant to be used with a chain. Three styles were popular: T-bar, which slips through a vest buttonhole; spring ring, which attaches to a belt loop; and fob. Lincoln’s pocket watch shown here has a shorter style chain, featuring . . . — — Map (db m23889) HM
The Tenbrook Hotel, the building shown on the right-hand side of the photo (which was taken at the end of the Civil War), was the site where Lincoln and other members of the bar lodged when traversing the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Lincoln . . . — — Map (db m23855) HM
Lincoln’s journeys to Monticello were sometimes difficult because of the weather and his lack of popularity on some issues.
Lincoln, Judge David Davis, and other members of the Bar were trying to reach Monticello in the spring of 1852, having . . . — — Map (db m23813) HM
To those who died
we show honor and pray for eternal rest.
To those still missing
we express our remembrance and hope.
To those who returned
we dedicate our eternal gratitude.
The grateful people of Piatt County
thank these veterans . . . — — Map (db m67715) WM
We honor the pioneers and the three Native Americans who died here while on the Trail of Death march in 1838 and are buried in this cemetery — — Map (db m33255) HM
The I.C.R.R. Co. Steam locomotive was popular in the mid 1850's, when Lincoln worked for the Illinois Central. It was named “American Standard,” and latter ran from Decatur to Champaign. Locomotives were originally wood burning, and the railroad . . . — — Map (db m23808) HM
About 800 Potawatomi Indians camped at Pyatt’s Point during a forced march from Twin-Lakes, Ind. To the reservation on the Osage River, Kansas. One woman, three children were buried during this stop. — — Map (db m33262) HM