Christian County Courthouse (Retired) - Taylorville, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 33.165 W 089° 16.618
16S E 304366 N 4380594
The sight of Lincoln's famous "Writ of quietus"
Waymark Code: WMJK83
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/28/2013
Views: 2
County of courthouse: Christian County
Historic Marker about the Courthouse:
"CHRISTIAN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1840-1856
"The first courthouse of Christian County (originally Dane County) was built in 1840 for $2,350. It was located in the center of Taylorville’s public square. Court was held on the lower level with county officers sharing the upstairs floor. Since the circuit court came to town only twice each year, the courtroom was available at other times for use by county commissioners or for public functions.
Until 1853, Christian County was part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit. A judge would travel to all county seats in the circuit twice each year to hear cases. The circuit was almost 450 miles long and took almost three months to complete by horse and buggy.
"Abraham Lincoln was one of the attorneys who traveled the Eighth Circuit and came to Taylorville. He had trials in this courthouse before Judge David Davis, whom he later appointed to the United States Supreme Court. During one trial, Lincoln was interrupted by a loud noise from the hogs underneath the courthouse. In mock earnestness, he asked Judge Davis to issue a “writ of quietus” requiring the sheriff to abate the nuisance!
"This courthouse was replaced with a new one in 1856 and sold for $267. It was moved several times before being placed on these museum grounds in honor of it's historical significance and its connection to Lincoln."
Marker Erected by: Christian County Historical Society, Bertrand Hopper Memorial Foundation, Illinois State Historical Society, Taylorville Park District and Taylorville Tourism Council.
"For over a decade Lincoln attended court here in Taylorville, usually twice a year - in June an November. Dane County (later renamed Christian County) became part of Illinois' Eighth Judicial Circuit in 1839. A two-story wood frame courthouse was erected here on the public square in 1840. It sat on twelve stone pillars that elevated the floor eighteen inches above the ground (permitting pigs to get underneath). A local resident recollected hearing Lincoln 'tell many a story on the wood pile on the north side of the court house of an evening after court had adjourned.' In 1853 Christian County became part of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, and Lincoln ceased his semiannual visits. In 1854 officials removed the old frame courthouse, thought it was preserved and may still be visited today." ~ Illinois Historic Preservation Agency