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Carlinville Attractions
"Location: North side of the Carlinville Square park"
Historic District
Carlinville's historic district has been on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois since 1976. The elegance and architectural quality of the homes and buildings within the district, which covers most of the east central sections of the city, is well worth visiting.
Although the square has many wonderful buildings, probably the most significant in the Loomis House, a grand hotel. It was built by Judge Thaddeus Loomis, one of four commissioners in charge of building the Macoupin County Courthouse and involved in it's scandal. Completed in 1870, the Loomis House was opened as a hotel with fifty rooms on three floors and a large dining area. Eight years after it opened, Judge Loomis sold the building due to financial problems and the name was changed to the St. George Hotel. Today the top three floors are closed to the public but the ground level floor is a showcase of 19th century architecture and home to a variety of businesses
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Lincoln Murals
The Carlinville Square is home to two murals created by artist David Bellm, a Carlinville native. The murals give a glimpse into Abraham Lincoln's life in Illinois. The first entitled, "Abraham Lincoln: Carlinville Lawyer" and the second, "Abe, After a Hard Day's Work" can be found on the southeast side of the Square. |
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A new project, now in progress around the Square, is the painting of the planters with authentic advertisements printed in the Carlinville newspaper from 1926-1930. It was during these years that the original alignment of Route 66 passed through Carlinville. This project promises to be a unique look into the past.
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Two blocks east of the Square is the residential area once called the "Silk Stocking District". East Main Street was the home of Carlinville's wealthy professional class: merchants, bankers, doctors and lawyers. These beautiful Victorian homes are still privately owned today |
Macoupin County Million Dollar Courthouse
Construction of the third Macoupin County Couthouse began in 1867 with a budget not to exceed $175,000. By the time construction was halted in 1870, the project had cost a staggering $1.3 million. Thus, evolved the nickname, the "Million Dollar Courthouse". Not only was the courthouse an exorbitant expense to the taxpayers, rumors of a scandal involving misused appropriations also tarnished the project.
Upon completion, this courthouse became the largest county courthouse in the United States with the possible exception of one in New York City. While the courthouse still serves as the seat of county government, it has also become a showplace that attracts tourists, architects and artists from around the world. Location: 201 East Main Street
Construction of the third Macoupin County Couthouse began in 1867 with a budget not to exceed $175,000. By the time construction was halted in 1870, the project had cost a staggering $1.3 million. Thus, evolved the nickname, the "Million Dollar Courthouse". Not only was the courthouse an exorbitant expense to the taxpayers, rumors of a scandal involving misused appropriations also tarnished the project.
Upon completion, this courthouse became the largest county courthouse in the United States with the possible exception of one in New York City. While the courthouse still serves as the seat of county government, it has also become a showplace that attracts tourists, architects and artists from around the world. Location: 201 East Main Street
Macoupin County War Memorial
The Macoupin County War Memorial is a permanent reminder of the county men and women who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Eight black, granite stones are etched with the names of over 600 county residents who served in all branches of the military. Location: Southeast corner of the Macoupin County Courthouse grounds.
The Macoupin County War Memorial is a permanent reminder of the county men and women who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Eight black, granite stones are etched with the names of over 600 county residents who served in all branches of the military. Location: Southeast corner of the Macoupin County Courthouse grounds.
Lincoln Historic Marker
This large stone commemorates the spot where Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech on August 31, 1858, while campaigning for U.S. Senate against Stephen A. Douglas. Visitors can find the stone near the Carlinville United Methodist Church at the corner of South Broad and East First South Streets
Location: One block west of the Macoupin County Courthouse
Macoupin County Old Jail
The historic 1869 Macoupin County Jail is a unique medieval-inspired fortress using the "cannon ball" method of construction. Each stone was hollowed out at the end and a Civil War surplus cannon ball was placed in each joint to prevent escape by removing the stone. The interior was designed in the "jailer residence" style, a popular 19th century prison design, requiring the jailer and his family to reside in an apartment above the jail. The jail was built to house 16 male prisoners and 1 female, but at one time it held 33 prisoners, four of whom were accused murderers. This historic structure was finally retired when the new county jail was built in 1988.
Location: Second block of East First South across from the Courthouse.
Blackburn College
Founded in 1837, Blackburn College is one of the oldest colleges in the state. A four-year liberal arts college with a strong academic program, Blackburn is also one of seven work colleges in the nation, but the only one with a student-managed Work Program. In exchange for tuition credit, all resident students are required to work in jobs essential to the College's daily operation. The Work Program has received widespread recognition in higher education and helps to keep Blackburn's tuition among the lowest of all private colleges in the nation.
Location: 700 College Avenue
Macoupin County Historical Society
The Anderson Mansion Museum consists of a two-story Victorian home filled with antiques and collectibles of the past. Built in 1883 as a one-story residence by John C. Anderson, it was enlarged as the family grew to 8 children. Purchased and refurbished by the Macoupin County Historical Society in 1973, the Victorian mansion is furnished with period pieces and offers an intimate glimpse at life in 1800s. The 13-room house features two large double-columned porches, two elaborate bay windows, eight fireplaces, a large stained-glass window, folding windows shutters, and solid oak staircases, woodwork, and pocket doors. Outer buildings on the grounds include an authentic schoolhouse, country church, blacksmith shop, and a print shop.
Location: 920 W. Breckinridge Street
The Anderson Mansion Museum consists of a two-story Victorian home filled with antiques and collectibles of the past. Built in 1883 as a one-story residence by John C. Anderson, it was enlarged as the family grew to 8 children. Purchased and refurbished by the Macoupin County Historical Society in 1973, the Victorian mansion is furnished with period pieces and offers an intimate glimpse at life in 1800s. The 13-room house features two large double-columned porches, two elaborate bay windows, eight fireplaces, a large stained-glass window, folding windows shutters, and solid oak staircases, woodwork, and pocket doors. Outer buildings on the grounds include an authentic schoolhouse, country church, blacksmith shop, and a print shop.
Location: 920 W. Breckinridge Street
Sears Homes/Standard Addition
Beginning in 1917, Carlinville saw its population grow by one-third when Standard Oil of Indiana opened two new coal mines causing a housing shortage. The solution to the housing crisis was found in an unlikely place; Sears and Roebuck. For the first time, people could order home kits in a variety of models through the Sears mail order catalog. Eight different models were selected for Standard Addition and by the end of the 1918, 156 of the mail order homes had been placed within a nine-block neighborhood in the northeast side of town. As the largest single repository of Sears Homes in the United States, Standard Addition has been the subject of several documentaries and has attracted the attention of architects and nostalgia buffs from around the globe.
Location boundaries: East to West - University Street to High Street. North to South - Whitley Street to Burton Street.
Beginning in 1917, Carlinville saw its population grow by one-third when Standard Oil of Indiana opened two new coal mines causing a housing shortage. The solution to the housing crisis was found in an unlikely place; Sears and Roebuck. For the first time, people could order home kits in a variety of models through the Sears mail order catalog. Eight different models were selected for Standard Addition and by the end of the 1918, 156 of the mail order homes had been placed within a nine-block neighborhood in the northeast side of town. As the largest single repository of Sears Homes in the United States, Standard Addition has been the subject of several documentaries and has attracted the attention of architects and nostalgia buffs from around the globe.
Location boundaries: East to West - University Street to High Street. North to South - Whitley Street to Burton Street.
Coming June 2016
Macoupin County Fair
The annual Macoupin County Fair, the oldest county fair in the state, is held in June on the fairgrounds located just north of the city limits on the old alignment of Route 66. Entertainment in the grandstand, carnival rides, agricultural and arts exhibits, demolition derby, tractor pulls, and much more make it a great family outing.
Location: One mile north of Carlinville on Route 4
The annual Macoupin County Fair, the oldest county fair in the state, is held in June on the fairgrounds located just north of the city limits on the old alignment of Route 66. Entertainment in the grandstand, carnival rides, agricultural and arts exhibits, demolition derby, tractor pulls, and much more make it a great family outing.
Location: One mile north of Carlinville on Route 4
