Logan County Illinois Genealogical & Historical Society

08/08/2026

Our LCGHS window has been changed again depicting the Logan County Fair, School starting soon, and Balloons over 66 weekend. 😊. Across from the Lincoln Depot. Lincoln, IL

07/27/2026

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Did you bike to work today? Director of Character Developement, Ron Keller did. By the way, check out that cool Lincoln shirt he's got on!

07/23/2026

History of Middletown, Il.
..
Stagecoach Inn was originally in Middletown. Klinger said the inn was disassembled and moved about a mile and a half out of town. Later, the inn was moved back to Middletown piece by piece.

Abraham Lincoln reportedly stayed at the inn on his route between Peoria and Springfield when he travelled the circuit. Unfortunately, the books with his signature burned. Klinger said there is confirmation that Lincoln’s wife and children stayed there July 1847 and October 1848. She would love to know where the books are at confirming the information.

At the May 2026 Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society meeting, Bill Donath talked about Revolutionary War soldiers buried in various Logan County cemeteries.

07/21/2026

Illinois was established as the 21st state of the United States in 1818. Its history stretches from the civilizations of ancient Native American cultures to the era of French exploration, and later to the agricultural and industrial boom of the 19th century. As a gateway to the American heartland, Illinois played a vital role in the nation’s westward expansion and economic growth.

The state’s story is shaped by remarkable people from many walks of life. From French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet,
to the Native American warrior Black Hawk (Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, often translated as “Black Sparrow Hawk”);
from legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, who was born in Monmouth Illinois;
To social reformer and women’s rights advocate Jane Addams;
from blues icon Muddy Waters,
to four U.S. Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.

Illinois has left an undeniable mark on American history.

With such a rich and diverse past, one question remains,
If you had a time machine, which period of Illinois history would you choose to witness?

Map is depicted from Illinois in 1843

07/21/2026

Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 rolls through Logan County

[July 20, 2026]

It was a steamy morning as train enthusiasts lined the railways of Logan County to catch a glimpse of Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. The train is making its way back to Wyoming after visiting the East Coast.


Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds and spanning 133 feet, Big Boy was built in 1941 to haul freight in the western part of the United States. After traveling over a million miles, Big Boy was retired in 1961 and donated to the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

Restoration began after Union Pacific reacquired the locomotive in 2013. The restoration was completed just in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's completion in 2019.

This year, the Big Boy went on a coast-to-coast tour, making stops in several cities for major display events and several whistle-stop events, like the one in Springfield, IL. The tour and restoration were overseen by Ed Dickens, Senior Manager of Union Pacific’s Heritage Operations, who operates the locomotive alongside a specialized crew (Union Pacific).


On the I-55 overpass just outside of Lawndale, and at the tracks just below, many gathered to take in the sight. The crowds cheered as the steam whistle rang out through the countryside and the train roared past. Tyler and Larry Houston, a father-and-son-duo, had traveled from Monticello, IL to see Big Boy. As they followed Big Boy on the tracker, they shared their love for trains and their expansive knowledge of Big Boy and other locomotives.

In Lincoln, hundreds gathered at the train tracks and depot to welcome Big Boy. The Lincoln Fire Department set up a fire engine with a large American flag hanging from the ladder.

Some were waving flags, and children were hoisted on their parents' backs to get a better look at a piece of American history. After Big Boy roared past the depot, the crowd cheered, and it was on its way through rural Logan County to Elkhart.

Traffic on Route 66 and Interstate 55 was slowed as Big Boy made its way through Logan County. Big Boy entered Logan County just north of Atlanta and steamed through Atlanta, Lawndale, Lincoln, and Elkhart.

After exiting Logan County, Big Boy paused in Springfield for a Whistle Stop where Dickens and the crew greeted the crowd and made their necessary checks before moving on to St. Louis for a major display day.

Big Boy rolls through Logan County video playlist

[Joli Boerma Crane]

07/19/2026

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07/18/2026

The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society will host a program Monday evening July 20 at 6:30 p.m. The location is 114 N. Chicago St. In Lincoln. the program will be presented by Shelly Klinger who will share stories about Middletown Artifacts and History.

07/15/2026

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