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About the cover artist
Jane works as a freelance illustrator and has had work commissioned by many Illinois historic entities: Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials, Lincoln Monument Association, Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Jubilee College State Historic Site and others. Her work is also featured in Acrylic Works 2, where she talks about her painting technique.

Contents
Abe’s hometown................... p8 Springfield celebrates the Illinois Bicentennial...... p14.

Abe’s hometown
Two centuries after his birth, Springfield’s best-known 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.

Looking for Lincoln Story Trail
To learn more about people and places with connections to Abraham Lincoln, keep your eyes open for the Looking for Lincoln storyboard signs. These attractive wayside exhibits tell stories that reveal interesting facts about Lincoln, individuals with whom he interacted, and the surroundings Lincoln would have experienced.

Springfield celebrates the Illinois Bicentennial
On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21 st state. As the capital city and home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield is ideally suited to host engaging and educational Bicentennial celebrations. Museum exhibits, outdoor murals and lectures at sites throughout Springfield are just some of the Bicentennial offerings.

Besides Abe
In 1902, Susan Lawrence Dana, the socialite daughter of a Springfield industrialist, commissioned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a new residence around the existing family home. Trusting in Wright’s genius, Dana spared no expense, and Wright went all-out in what’s considered one of his first full expressions of the Prairie Style.

Uniquely Springfield
An icon in Springfield is the Cozy Dog Drive-in, home of the original battercovered hot dog on a stick. This landmark, located on historic Route 66, features a great collection of Route 66 memorabilia. Although corn dogs are popular at state fairs, you have to go to the Cozy Dog drive-in for the original.

Uniquely Springfield
Chili is a popular menu item in Springfield, but here it is more commonly spelled chilli, not chili. The first chilli restaurant in Springfield, and the first to call it “chilli”, was the Dew Chilli Parlor which opened in 1909 and is now open again at 1216 S.

Uniquely Springfield Horseshoes
You haven’t truly experienced Springfield until you’ve eaten a horseshoe (or at least a ponyshoe). Springfield originated this concoction, consisting of thick-cut slices of bread topped with meat, then potatoes, and cheese sauce over the top. Chef Joe Schweska of the Leland Hotel created the horseshoe in the late 1920s.

Uniquely Springfield Mel-O-Cream Donuts
You may get your kicks on Route 66, but for a sugar fix go to Mel-O-Cream. Mel-O-Cream has been making donuts in Springfield for 80 years. Cake donuts, cream-filled donuts, old-fashioneds, iced donuts, glazed donuts, apple fritters, long johns, cinnamon twists and donut holes are just some of the varieties.

The capital city
In addition to watching Illinois politicians from the balcony-level seating area, visitors can view the awe-inspiring artwork, statues and paintings inside the limestone Italian Renaissance Revival building. Murals, a variety of marbles and a unique architectural design add to the.

Springfield Art Association
The Springfield Art Association is at the heart of Springfield’s thriving arts and culture scene. Boasting two art galleries, an art school, a Lincoln-era historic house museum and a calendar packed with family-friendly events, there is always something to see or do at the SAA.

Visual and performing arts
Illinois College TheatreWorks presents work at the Sibert Theatre McGaw Fine Arts Center, 300 Lockwood Ave. in Jacksonville. For tickets and showtimes visit http://www.ic.edu/RelId/621665/.

Historic downtown Springfield
The map on the opposite page features some of the city’s historic sites and places of interest. Besides visiting individual venue websites, you can access some venue info (and a Bar and Restaurant Directory) via the Illinois Times calendar at www.illinoistimes.

Springfield FreeWifi
Downtown Springfield has always had plenty of the kinds of bars one drinks in, but the same couldn’t always be said for the kind which indicate your phone’s internet connectivity.

The outdoors
The Washington Park Botanical Garden, at the far west side of the park, features a glass-domed conservatory, gallery and greenhouses.

Mother Road
If you want to see America, there’s no better place than the road that once spanned more than 2,450 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Heart of Illinois
Restoration of wetland habitat by The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has transformed the land and waterscape to its ancient beginnings. It is aptly named Emiquon, a variation of what French explorers heard native people call the Spoon River.

The nightlife
The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mic events and karaoke nights are well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city.

Live music and entertainment
All phone numbers are area code 217.

Yes, we have Uber in Springfield
Headed out for the evening or simply want to avoid driving? Uber is a convenient and efficient alternative in Springfield. If you aren’t signed up, simply download the app and create an account linked to your credit card. Enter your pickup location, and in minutes you will be on your way.

Beer, the best way
It has taken a while for local brews to catch on in Springfield and central Illinois. A taste for something beyond corporate suds has long been established, and so imports, either from other states or other countries, were, and still are, available by bottle or can in myriad locations.

Food and drinks
In what was a fairly tight contest this year, Twyford BBQ earned top honors. With 10 Grand Championships, 5 Reserve Grand Championships, and dozens of other honors, it’s no surprise. But if you want some of this award-winning BBQ, you’ll have to cater in or, better yet, hit their food truck.

What the locals do for fun
Haven’t you seen enough sights? How about some fun? Take it from the locals – here are many ways to have a good time in the capital city that don’t involve learning anything at all. Just enjoy..

This year’s big events
Event listings updated daily at illinoistimes.com. Telephone area code is 217 unless otherwise specified.