Abe Lincoln's Talking House Tour - Pittsfield, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 36.409 W 090° 48.417
15S E 688276 N 4386416
The houses are on the tour are at various locations in Pittsfield, IL. The Pittsfield Visitor Center is located just west of the downtown area of Pittsfield at 224 W. Washington Street (US-54, IL-106.)
Waymark Code: WMVEDW
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 04/08/2017
Views: 5
Taking the Abe Lincoln Talking Houses Tour
Visiting Hours:
Visitors can take the tour at any time. Please be aware that the homes are private residences.
Pick up maps and brochures at the Pittsfield Visitor Center from 9 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 5 pm, Monday - Friday
Maps and brochures are always available at lobby that is open at all times
The tour begins at the Visitor Center
There is no charge for the Abe Lincoln Talking Houses Tour.
The people of Pittsfield influenced Abraham Lincoln's early legal and political career. Two of Lincoln’s personal secretaries while he was president, John Hay and John George Nicolay, befriended Lincoln when he visited Pittsfield while riding the circuit. Lincoln gave legal counsel to friend William Grimshaw, a Pittsfield attorney whom he represented in a federal court case. Grimshaw and Lincoln also served together in local court cases. Pittsfield founder Colonel William Ross and his wife hosted Lincoln during his 1858 U.S. Senate campaign. Lincoln was a friend of John Greene Shastid and visited his home often and enjoyed Mrs. Shastid's home cooked meals. Another Pittsfield attorney, Reuben Scanland, hosted Abraham Lincoln in his home during the 1858 campaign.
1 - Milton Hay House
Presidential Secretary John Hay's Home
332 W. Washington Street
Built ca. 1838-1843
2 - Reuben Scanland House
402 W. Washington Street
Built ca. 1850's
3 - William Grimshaw House
1000 W. Perry Street
Built 1847
4 - Site of the Daniel H. Gilmer Home and Law Office
E. Washington Street & S. Monroe Street
Site now occupied by the Community Bank building
5 - Charles Lame House
409 E. Fayette Street
6 - Michael J. Noyes House
629 E. Washington Street
Built 1841-1846
7 - Colonel William Ross House
IL-106, ½ mile E. of Pittsfield
8 - Zachariah N. Garbutt House
Home of Presidential Secretary John Nicolay
500 E. Washington Street
Built ca. 1841-1846
9 - John Greene Shastid House
326 E. Jefferson Street
Built 1838
10 - The Star Hotel
N. Monroe Street & E. Jefferson Street
Built ca. 1840's
11 - Site of Joseph Heck Bakery
Madison Street & E. Adams Street