It was a quick trip to Springfield. Our plan was to spend one week at Rural King Campground, Illinois State Fairgrounds. We arrived and found that the office didn't open until 11:30 so we parked in an open space and waited. While we were waiting, we drove around the campground and decided that we wanted to park in the parking lot at the bottom of the hill. The grass sites at the top of the hill looked to be uneven and didn't have sewer connections. The site we finally got was a 50 amp site with water and sewer.
After we were settled, it was time to head downtown to check out what was available to see in the area. Our first stop was the Springfield Visitor Center, not to be confused with the Lincoln Visitor Center. At the Springfield Visitor Center, we collected brochures on Lincoln sites, Route 66, and a bicycle map of Illinois. I filled out a quick survey--3 questions--and the attendant gave us a parking permit good for 3 days. It came in handy, we only had to look for grey top meters which allowed for 5 hours parking.
From the visitor center we walked around the block to the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library.
The museum had a lot of information on Lincoln's life including displays showing the events leading to his Presidency.
From the museum and library we walked to Union Depot to see an exhibit from the movie
Lincoln. It was somewhat of a disappointment to me as it was just costumes used in the movie. I'm not sure what I expected, but seeing costumes from a movie I didn't really care for was not something I wanted to see. The depot is the red-roofed building in the background.
After walking around downtown for a while, we went back to Sol to plan our adventure for Wednesday. Since our parking permit was good for three days, we would tour Lincoln's Home National Historic Site(neighborhood).
The tour of Lincoln's Home is free, but you have to stop in the Visitor Center to get tickets as tours are limited to small groups.
Our guide said Lincoln had trouble sleeping....could it have something to do with the wallpaper?
After walking around Lincoln's neighborhood and taking a picture of his house from across the street, we were accosted by a crazy woman.
Bob and I were strolling along the street when a woman ran out of Anderson House yelling, "I can't believe it!" over and over again. It turned out that it was Bob's sister Paula, from Colorado and not far behind her was his sister Donna, from Florida! After greeting each other, it was decided that we would all eat lunch together after they took the tour of Lincoln's Home.
We ate lunch at Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery and Eatery. Paula and Donna recommended we get a 'shoe' which is a whole lot of food. Bob and I split a shoe as did Paula and Donna. It was good, but not something I would order again.
Donna and Paula followed us back to Sol so they could see our new rig. After a short visit, we said our good-byes. Paula and Donna were heading to Siloam Springs to surprise Bob's mother for her 86th birthday. Bob and I rested a bit and then went for a walk through the fairgrounds and Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is not far from the fairgrounds and it became our go-to place for afternoon walks.
As we walked through the fairgrounds we had to get a picture of the very tall Abraham Lincoln as a railsplitter. Yes, there was a cache located behind Abe.
Then we continued on to Lincoln Park and found the geocaches placed there.
From Lincoln Park we continued to Oak Ridge Cemetery where Lincoln's Tomb is located. Bob and I both rubbed Lincoln's nose for good luck.
We followed a bus tour group through the tomb. Lincoln, Mary, and three of their four sons are buried here. The fourth, Robert is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
The outside of the tomb is as impressive as the interior.
Bob and I decided that our afternoon walk had taken us farther than we expected and it was time to head back to Sol. Once back at Sol, we found we had walked over four miles! Time to eat dinner and plan one more day in downtown Springfield.
The next day we toured the old capitol building and Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House. We used our parking permit for both venues. The Old State Capitol building is a reconstruction of the fifth Illinois statehouse that played an important role in Lincoln's political career. It was completely reconstructed in the 1960s. The rooms are set up in 1850's decor.
I was able to hold the gavel in the Illinois Senate's chamber.
The capitol had a pedestrian zone on the south side.
Along the edge of the pedestrian zone we found a plaque marking the departure site of the Donner Party and at the corner was a Korean War Memorial Museum.
From the capitol we made our way to the Dana-Thomas house. This is the first Frank Lloyd Wright house we have toured. After seeing this house, I would like to see some of his other work.
The outside of the house was beautiful. I loved the windows, but was surprised when we entered the house and it wasn't as bright as I expected. The house was restored to its 1903 beginnings. Pictures were not allowed in the house, so enjoy our photos of the outside!
After our tour we went back to Sol for lunch. After lunch we returned to Oak Ridge Cemetery to find the grave of Accordion Man and to visit the war memorials.
Bob had read the story of Roy Bertelli on Roadside America. Mr. Bertelli purchased the plot and then was told it was sold to him in error. He was willing to return the plot until lawyers got involved. He decided to keep the plot, built a crypt on it and on occasion, sat on it playing the accordion! He paid to have upkeep on the plot in perpetuity. As a final act of defiance, he purchased another plot in a cemetery across town. When Roy died in 2003 at the age of 90 he chose to be buried in the plot across town.
We enjoyed our visits to Springfield. For our next adventure we planned to travel on Historic Route 66 north of Springfield.
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