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About the cover artist:
Michael J. Mayosky has been painting murals, portraits, and landscapes for 17 years. Originally from Kansas City, Mo., he has traveled state to state, but has come to call Springfield his home-base. Michael is currently doing a series of 111 Lincoln portraits, each with a different theme and style.

Table of contents
20 The capital city Take in the sights and sounds of the seat of Illinois government.

Abe’s hometown
Two centuries after his birth, Springfield’s bestknown resident remains a revered icon, a leader who bore the weight of destiny to his untimely demise. Born in dire poverty and self-educated, Abraham Lincoln rose to lead our nation during its darkest time.

What the locals do for fun
The drive-in is located at 1700 Recreation Drive, right next door to Knight’s Action Park. Follow I-72 west of I-55. Exit at MacArthur Boulevard and follow the signs to Recreation Drive. Call 217-698- 0066 or visit www.route66-drivein.com.

Illinois State Museum
Not to be missed during a visit to Springfield is the Illinois State Museum, just a few blocks west of downtown in the State Capitol complex. People of all ages will enjoy this free museum, which has been called “world-class” and “a gem in its own right.

The capital city
Illinois State Capitol Construction began on the sixth and current Illinois Capitol in 1868 after officials determined that more space was needed for government business. The building took 20 years to complete and cost more than $4.5 million.

Besides Abe
AeroKnow Museum Anyone looking for a complete parts manual for a World War II Martin B-26 Marauder should visit AeroKnow Museum.

Performing arts
Hoogland Center for the Arts The city’s premier arts venue, the Hoogland Center for the Arts, is a magnet for practitioners and supporters of the arts. Named after the family that nurtured Family Video stores to nationwide prominence, the venue houses 17 different arts organizations.

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Guide to galleries
performances and other showcases for local talent. The calendar is ever-changing, but there is always something of interest going on. Visit www. thepharmacygallery.com to see what’s happening there now. The Pharmacy Studio, 401 South Grand Avenue West. The Pharmacy Gallery, 1022 S.

The outdoors
Adams Wildlife Sanctuary This is the perfect place for a quick nature walk without driving out of town. Just off one of Springfield’s busiest streets, Clear Lake Avenue, the sanctuary is a hidden jewel that’s accessible in minutes.

Mother Road
Countless songs, movies, books and TV shows chronicle this section of pavement, but the reality about this piece of history is that touring Route 66 requires as much or as little time and money as you like. The journey costs only the price of gas, and even that can be omitted through use of a bicycle or a walking stick.

Heart of Illinois
Abraham Lincoln’s Long Nine Museum Traveling from New Salem to Springfield, Abraham Lincoln often stopped at Col. Matthew Rogers’ general store and post office in Athens. Here Lincoln and eight other Illinois lawmakers celebrated the move of the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield.

The nightlife
The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mics and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road from St.

Bars that rock all genres of live music
For show info, phone ahead or see Pub Crawl at www.illinoistimes.com.

Restaurant directory
Where to go in Springfield when it’s time to eat.

Events calendar
One lucky visitor in attendance will receive the flag. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, 1500 Monument Ave., 782-2717..

Living here
Springfield and Sangamon County aren’t just great places to visit; they’re also great places to live. The capital city and the nearly two dozen smaller communities around it offer many attractive reasons for you to make the Land of Lincoln your home..