SUGGESTED AREA ATTRACTIONS:

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, just 2 miles South of Petersburg and about 20 miles Northwest of Springfield, is a reconstruction of the village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood. This 19th Century community is accurately restored and adapted to the lifestyles of the 1830's. New Salem’s nationally acclaimed repertory "Outdoor Theater in the Park" has live performances from May through August. Visit the Lincoln's New Salem website for detailed information.

The New Salem Country Opry has live country music entertainment every Saturday at 8:00pm.

Historic Petersburg

Petersburg was established while Lincoln was the postmaster and later a store clerk in nearby New Salem. In 1836, Abraham Lincoln surveyed the city of Petersburg for a new street map which includes most of the current streets. Over the years, New Salem was supplanted by Petersburg as the city of commerce and as county seat for Menard County. Lincoln was instrumental in bringing river/canal and later railway traffic through Petersburg. Most of the New Salem residents (including Lincoln’s purported first love, Ann Rutledge) moved to Petersburg. The people of Petersburg’s Chautauqua Society reconstructed New Salem village in the 1920's. New Salem village was donated to the State of Illinois in the 1930’s.

Edgar Lee Masters’ Home, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, is located on the corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets in Petersburg. Masters was an American poet best known for his book Spoon River Anthology, 1915.

Ann Rutledge’s Grave is in Oakland Cemetery. The stone surmounting the grave of Ann Rutledge bears an inscription written by poet Edgar Lee Masters, who is buried nearby. Here also can be found the graves of "Mitch" Miller, Hannah Armstrong, Bowling Green and Nancy Green.

Abraham Lincoln Documents are displayed on the second floor of the Menard County Court House in Petersburg. On the southeast corner of the square is where Lincoln started his survey of Petersburg.

Visit Lincoln's "Long Nine" Museum in nearby Athens. Centered in the heart of historical "Lincoln Country", the village of Athens has a fascinating history in it's own right. Platted and surveyed in 1831, the "City" of Athens was the site of Lincoln's first speech in 1936 when running for the Illinois State Legislature. Athens is 10 miles from Petersburg and only 12 miles north of Springfield where Lincoln's life is captured through many historic sites.

Historic Sites in Springfield (just 20 miles southeast of Petersburg)

Presidential Museum & Library

Lincoln’s home

Lincoln’s tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery

The Old and New State Capitols

Dana Thomas House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright)

The Governor’s Mansion

Vachel Lindsay Home

Washington Park Botanical Gardens

Knights Action Park

Come stay with us while you visit the Illinois State Fair - August 14-23, 2009 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield. For further information on events and activities visit the Illinois State Fair website.

Hill Prairie Winery, located just 8 miles from us, offers a variety of award winning Illinois wines, produced directly on their facility. In addition, they offer entertainment, such as Dinner Theater, music and festivals at specified times. For information on events and hours, visit the Hill Prairie website.

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area covers 26 square miles of woodlands, prairies, croplands, and wetlands. The park also includes three lakes and seven ponds.

Park guests can choose from activities such as boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and picnicking. There are 17 miles of trails for guests to hike or mountain bike. Equestrian trails traverse 26 miles of this beautiful wildlife area.

A 26-square mile tract situated in the gently rolling countryside of west-central Illinois, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area (JEPC) is one of the Department's largest public access areas.

A mosaic of mature forest land, agricultural land and grassland, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area is dissected by Panther and Cox creeks and their tributaries. In addition to 6,000 acres of timberland and 4,200 acres of prime farmland, the area contains a rare hill prairie. It also is home to a rich assortment of wildlife, from endangered species that include Indiana bat, northern harrier and re-shouldered hawk, to such game species white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove.

For further information on the many places to visit and events taking place during your stay in Petersburg, please visit the Menard County website.

Public Local Golf Courses

Shambolee Golf Club - 3 miles

Country Hills Golf Course - 7 miles

Crane Creek County Club - 18 miles

The Rail Golf Course - 23 miles

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