Atlanta Public Library - Atlanta, Illinois
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 40° 15.624 W 089° 13.937
16T E 310170 N 4459050
This octagonally-shaped library is located at 100 SE Race St., Atlanta, IL and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waymark Code: WMBQXP
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 06/15/2011
Views: 21
The Illinois Route 66 website (
visit link) lists this historic library as a Route 66 Regional Attraction.
A historical marker outside the library reads:
"The Atlanta Public Library was founded in 1873 by public spirited citizens who realized the importance of books. In 1973, the museum was added for the purpose of preserving Atlanta's heritage. In 1979, this octagonal structure was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Atlanta, founded in 1853 as Xenia, had Logan County's first bank in 1854. Abraham Lincoln traveled throughout this area and was well known by several of Atlanta's pioneer families. Lincoln attended the July 4, 1859 picnic at Turner's Grove on the southeast edge of Atlanta and was presented a gold-handled cane by Sylvester Strong. In 1860, the initial "wide-awake" group supportive of Lincoln's presidential bid was organized in Atlanta. Lincoln's friends fired thirty-three cannon rounds when they heard the news of his nomination."