In this Illinois Bicentennial year, this tour celebrates Abraham Lincoln's contributions to our state's infrastructure: its canals, roads and railroads. Tour guide Dave Clark brings his deep knowledge of Illinois transportation history aboard, interpreting the sites seen along the route. In Lockport's historic Gaylord Building, discover the role the I & M Canal played in making the state successful. Explore Lincoln Landing historical markers before enjoying a delicious buffet lunch at the Public Landing Restaurant.
Traveling parts of old Route 66 south to Pontiac, learn about Honest Abe's contributions to the state's early internal improvements, and how his actions as lawyer, Representative and President helped turn Chicago and Illinois into the nation's crossroads. Our route parallels the railroad tracks that carried Lincoln's Funeral Train on his final journey in the state. From the bus, tour some Pontiac perimeter sites of interest, including a restored home where locals "took the measure" of Lincoln, the city's famed swinging bridges and the Chautauqua park where suffragettes and temperance leaders held meetings in the early 1900s.
Pontiac is ideally suited for an afternoon of touring on your own and at your own pace, and it is home to five museums within close walking distance of each other (Route 66 Museum, Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, War Museum, Walldogs Museum, Gilded Arts Museum). Enjoy the many murals dotting the downtown landscape that illustrate the story of Pontiac's past. Come follow in Lincoln's footsteps on the road to Pontiac!
Fee: $68. Registration opens June 1. Please visit or call the Adult Information Desk at (847) 923-3347 to register.
This trip requires considerable walking.
Please note: You (or your parent/guardian for participants under age 18) will be required to sign our Waiver and Release of Liability before participating in this program. We will provide you with a copy of the waiver at the program.
TAGS: | Bus Trips |
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