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Homepage of "Mr. Lincoln, Route 66, & Other
Highlights of Lincoln, IL"
Site Map
Testimonials
A Long-Range Plan to Brand the First Lincoln
Namesake City as the Second City of Abraham Lincoln Statues
The Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration in Lincoln, Illinois
1.
Abraham Lincoln and the Historic Postville
Courthouse,
including a William Maxwell connection to the Postville Courthouse
2.
About Henry Ford and the Postville Courthouse,
the Story of the Postville Courthouse Replica,
Tantivy, & the Postville Park
Neighborhood in the
Route 66 Era
3.
The Rise of Abraham Lincoln and His History and
Heritage in His First Namesake Town,
also the founding of Lincoln College, the plot to steal Lincoln's
body, and memories of Lincoln College and the Rustic Tavern-Inn
4.
Introduction to the Social & Economic History of
Lincoln, Illinois,
including poetry by William Childress & commentary by Federal Judge
Bob Goebel & Illinois Appellate Court Judge Jim Knecht
5.
"Social Consciousness in William Maxwell's
Writings Based on Lincoln, Illinois" (an article published in the
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, winter 2005-06)
5.a.
Peeking Behind the Wizard's Screen: William
Maxwell's Literary Art as Revealed by a Study of the Black Characters in
Billie Dyer and Other Stories
6.
Introduction to the Railroad & Route 66 Heritage
of Lincoln, Illinois
7.
The Living Railroad Heritage of Lincoln, Illinois:
on Track as a Symbol of the "Usable Past"
8.
Route 66 Overview Map of Lincoln with 42 Sites,
Descriptions, & Photos
9.
The Hensons of Business Route 66
10.
The Wilsons of Business
Route 66, including the Wilson Grocery & Shell
Station
11.
Route 66 Map & Photos Showing Lincoln Memorial
Park
(former Chautauqua site),
the Historic Cemeteries, & Nearby Sites
12.
Route 66 Map & Photos Showing Salt Creek &
Cemetery Hill,
including
the highway bridges, GM&O bridge, Madigan State Park, the old dam (with
photos & Leigh's memoir of "shooting the rapids" over the old dam), &
the Ernie Edwards' Pig-Hip Restaurant Museum in Broadwell
13.
The Historic Logan County Courthouse, Past &
Present
14.
Route 66 Map with 51 Sites in the Business &
Courthouse Square Historic District,
including locations of historical markers
(on the National Register of Historic Places)
15.
Vintage Scenes of the Business & Courthouse Square
Historic District
16.
The Foley House: A
Monument to Civic Leadership
(on the National Register of
Historic Places)
17.
Agriculture in
the Route 66 Era
18.
Arts & Entertainment Heritage,
including
the Lincoln Theatre Roy Rogers' Riders Club of the
1950s
19.
Business Heritage
20.
Cars, Trucks & Gas Stations of the Route 66 Era
21.
Churches, including the hometown
churches of Author William Maxwell & Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr
22.
Factories, Past and Present
23.
Food Stores of
the Route 66 Era
24.
Government
25.
Hospitals, Past and Present
26.
Hotels & Restaurants of the Railroad & Route 66
Eras
27.
Lincoln Developmental Center
(Lincoln State School & Colony in
the Route 66 era), plus
debunking the myth of
Lincoln, Illinois, choosing the Asylum over the University of Illinois
28.
Mining Coal, Limestone, & Sand & Gravel; Lincoln Lakes; & Utilities
29.
Museums & Parks, including the Lincoln College
Museum and its Abraham Lincoln Collection, plus the Heritage-in-Flight
Museum
30.
Neighborhoods
with Distinction
31.
News Media in the Route 66 Era
32.
The Odd Fellows' Children's Home
33.
Schools
34.
Memories of the 1900 Lincoln Community High School,
including Fred Blanford's dramatic account of the lost marble
fountain of youth
35.
A Tribute to the Historians and Advocates of
Lincoln, Illinois
36.
Watering Holes of the Route 66 Era
37.
The Historic 1953 Centennial Celebration of
Lincoln, Illinois
38.
The Festive 2003 Sesqui-centennial Celebration of
Lincoln, Illinois, including photos of LCHS Class of 1960
dignitaries & the Blanfords
39.
Why Did the State Police Raid Lincoln, Illinois,
on October 11, 1950?
40.
The Gambling Raids in Lincoln and Logan County,
Illinois,
During the Late Route 66 Era (1950-1960)
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Pages
in this section tell about Leigh Henson's Lincoln years, moving away,
revisits, and career:
About Lincoln, Illinois;
This Web Site; & Me
A Tribute to Lincolnite Edward Darold
Henson: World War II U.S. Army Veteran of the Battles for Normandy and
the Hedgerows; Brittany and Brest; and the Ardennes (Battle of the
Bulge)
For Remembrance, Understanding, & Fun: Lincoln
Community High School Mid-20th-Century Alums' Internet Community
(a Web site and
email exchange devoted to collaborative memoir and the sharing of photos
related to Lincoln, Illinois)
Leigh Henson's Pilgrimage to Lincoln, Illinois, on
July 12, 2001
Leigh Henson's
Review of Dr. Burkhardt's William Maxwell Biography
Leigh Henson's Review of Ernie Edwards' biography,
Pig-Hips on Route 66, by William Kaszynski
Leigh Henson's Review of Jan Schumacher's
Glimpses of Lincoln, Illinois
Teach Local Authors: Considering the Literature of
Lincoln, Illinois
Web Site About
Leigh Henson's Professional Life
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Pages
in this section are about the writing, memorabilia, and Web sites of
other Lincolnites:
A Tribute to Bill and Phyllis Stigall:
Exemplary Faculty of Lincoln College at Mid-Twentieth Century
A Tribute to the Krotzes of Lincoln, Illinois
A Tribute to Robert Wilson (LCHS '46): Author of
Young in Illinois, Movies Editor of December Magazine,
Friend and Colleague of December Press Publisher Curt Johnson, and
Correspondent with William Maxwell
Brad Dye (LCHS '60): His Lincoln, Illinois, Web
Site,
including photos of many churches
Dave Armbrust's Memorabilia of Lincoln, Illinois
J. Richard
(JR) Fikuart
(LCHS '65):
The
Fikuarts of Lincoln, Illinois, including their
connections to the William Maxwell family and three generations of
family fun at Lincoln Lakes
Jerry Gibson (LCHS '60): Lincoln, Illinois,
Memoirs & Other Stories
Dave Johnson (LCHS '56): His Web Site for the
Lincoln Community High School Class of 1956
Sportswriter David Kindred: Memoir of His
Grandmother Lena & Her West Side Tavern on Sangamon Street in the Route
66 Era
Judge Jim Knecht
(LCHS '62): Memoir and Short Story, "Other People's Money," Set in
Hickey's Billiards on Chicago Street in the Route 66 Era
William A. "Bill" Krueger (LCHS '52): Information
for His Books About Murders in Lincoln
Norm Schroeder (LCHS '60): Short Stories
Stan Stringer Writes About His Family, Mark
Holland, and Lincoln, Illinois
Thomas Walsh: Anecdotes Relating to This Legendary
Attorney from Lincoln by Attorney Fred Blanford & Judge Jim Knecht
Leon Zeter (LCHS '53): His Web Site for the
Lincoln Community High School Class of 1953,
including announcements of LCHS class reunions
(Post yours there.)
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Highway Sign of
the Times:
1926-1960
The Route 66
Association of Illinois
The Illinois
State Historical Society
Illinois
Tourism Site:
Enjoy Illinois
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Marquee Lights of the Lincoln Theater, est. 1923, Lincoln, Illinois |
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38. The
Festive Sesquicentennial Celebration of Lincoln, Illinois--2003
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The 2003 Sesquicentennial Celebration offered thirteen days of
fun and frolic beginning with the Art and Balloon Festival. Many events were
cultural and educational, and many events featured live entertainment with
bands playing music from folk to Civil-War-era marches and formal ball music
to rock to big-band swing to classical. Many streets in the Logan County
Courthouse Square Historic District were open to foot traffic only. Never in
the history of Lincoln, Illinois, were there more revelers, including folks
like me who enjoyed an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime homecoming, as the
photos here suggest.
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Sesquicentennial Homecoming: A
Time for Old and New Friendships
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38.1: Fred and
Marge Blanford in Their Parlor
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38.2:
Blanfords' Guests,
Pat Hartman
and Leigh Henson
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38.3:
Internet Collaborators on the History of Lincoln, Illinois:
Leigh (LCHS
Class of 1960) and Fred (LCHS Class of 1959)
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Wednesday, August 27: Founders' Day
and Town Christening Re-enactment
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38.4:
Pre-Re-enactment Reunion of Postvillians Ron Musicks (l) and Hensons--1st in
43 Years
Seated (l to r): Darold Henson (LCHS 1936), Linda Henson Nelson Perry, and
Jim Perry
Standing (l to r): Ron and Sandy Musick, Leigh Henson, and Judy Henson
Town Christening Re-enactment Scene Near the
Railroad Depot
38. 5: Congressman Ray LaHood (Bob
Michel's protégé/successor)
Addressing the Next Generation Prior to the Christening
A couple of politicians spoke prior to the ceremony. In the background at left, a couple of the impersonators are tuning out Mr.
La Hood in favor of amusing themselves. In the light-blue suit is retired
Professor and Historian Paul Beaver, editor of the encyclopedic History
of Logan County 1982, a major source used in developing this Web site.
Professor Beaver is tactfully attentive, patiently awaiting his turn to
address the crowd. Meanwhile, Mr. La Hood endears himself to the future
voters by suggesting to them that it would be great if they did not have to
return to school after the ceremony. Stunned in disbelief, the audience
failed to applaud this generous but radical proposal.
Professor Beaver then very effectively summarized the fabled story of Abraham Lincoln
christening the town with watermelon juice on August 27, 1853.
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38.6: Lincoln
College Museum Curator Ron Keller Holds Mike for Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis
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38.7: Abe
Impersonator Re-enacts the
Christening of Lincoln, Illinois |
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38.8:
Post-Christening Re-enactment Visit in the Middle of Broadway Street at the
Railroad Tracks:
(l to r): Keith and Charlise Leesman, Sandy and Ron Musick, Pat Hartman,
Linda and Jim Perry
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Mini-Reunion of Jefferson
School Alums at Jefferson School Front Sidewalk
38.9: (l to r):
Proud Postvillians (no postvillains) Leigh, Larry Van Bibber, Eva Mae Harris Hill,
Ron Musick, Tom Kurtz, and Les
Van Bibber
(Photo by Pat Hartman using Tom Kurtz's super camera.
Photo emailed by Tom.)
Ron and Sandy Musick arrived for the Art and Balloon Festival at the
beginning of the Sesquicentennial Celebration, but had to depart before the
day of the parade. Fortunately, the Musicks' and Hensons' schedules
overlapped enough for Ron and Leigh to visit for the first time in 43 years,
and we did so through Ron's initiative. We are same-class alums of
Jefferson, Central, and Lincoln High. At Jefferson School, Ron helped me
with arithmetic because I sat behind him and could observe his work. Tom
Kurtz and I were among the white-belt patrol officers who ran the cross-walk
lights on Fifth Street and made the trucks on Business Route 66 stop on a
dime. So was Pete Frantz, our captain and traffic-control strategist.
38.10: 19th Century Jefferson
School Bell
During our mini-reunion, we were not allowed inside the contemporary
Jefferson School for security reasons. I had visited the School
earlier in August when it was not in session and was allowed inside, where I
took the above photo of the legendary Jefferson School bell, which is
mounted in a glass case located in the foyer. At the mini-reunion I gave a
copy of this photo to alums pictured in 38.9.
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Friday, August 29: LCHS Class of 1960
Pre-parade Strategy Meeting at the KCs
38.11: (l to r):
Leigh Henson, Bud Huffaker, Jeff Fults, Dick George, and Mike Hayes
Bud continues to cope well with the emotional scars he suffered from being
walloped out of his Room 316 seat by the study hall teacher who mistook him
for the culprit who rolled the steel ball bearing that clattered up the
aisle and disrupted the scholarship--or nap--of many students.
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Saturday, August 30: Homecoming Day
with Sesquicentennial Parade
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38.12: Class of
1960 Homecoming Queen Judy Lohrenz Perkins in Original Royal Red Dress,
Accompanied by Husband Cliff and 1960 Classmates:
(l to r): John Coombs, Kathy Mitchell Leesman, Barb Geary Cicci, Diane
Caplinger Farmer,
Cliff Perkins, Queen Judy, Janet Ritchhart Smiley, and Jerry Gibson
Judy Lohrenz Perkins, the 1960 Lincolnite
editor, continues effective supervision of her sports
editor--yours truly, who continues to need it. Judy points out that
behind Diane Farmer is her husband, Bob, who furnished the bed the float sat
on and drove the float. Also, I note that behind Jerry Gibson and out of
sight is Bob Pharis in blue/white checkered shirt.
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38.13: Jerry
Gibson Holding Switch-Blade Comb in Right Hand and
Extending Left Arm at Maximum Length for a "Behind the Scene" Embrace of Lady Classmates:
(l to r): Janet Ritchhart Smiley, Barb Geary Cicci, Diane Caplinger Farmer,
& Donna Geriets Miles
The sign on the truck denotes one of the float's sponsoring organizations.
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38.14: The LCHS
Class of 1960 Prepares to Rock and Roll (forward)
in the
Sesquicentennial Parade
At center, Jon Diers wonders why he has no dance partner. Is the queen
getting a beauty nap before the performance?
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Typical Sesquicentennial
Parade Dignitaries from the LCHS Class of 1960
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38.15: John T. Coombs
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38.16: Jeff E. Fults |
38.17: Jerry L.
Gibson |
38.18: Robert W. Pharis |
The bulge in Jerry's upper shirt sleeve is not a
triceps muscle, but a pack of cigarettes.
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A Sampling of Other Parade Entries
(But Not Necessarily Better Ones)
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38.19: Unknown
Sponsor
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18.20: Chamber of
Commerce Melon Wagon |
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18.21:
Alderpersons Jonie Tibbs and
1960 Classmate
Dave Armbrust
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18.22: Alderman
Pat Madigan
(Son of Bob and Connie; is he the 4th or 5th generation of Madigan
politicos?)
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38.23: GOP
Entry
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Place reserved for the DEMs'
parade entry, but. . .
photojournalist Pat, a GOP herself, says she saw
no parade entry for the DEMs.
38.24: Forthcoming? |
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8-30-13:
Tenth anniversary posting of link to video of the LCHS Noble Class of '60's
participation in the Sesquicentennial Celebration Parade (Lincoln's
biggest):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jUj-q9NHLlk#t=240
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Images from the Post-Parade
De-Briefing Session at the KCs
38.25: Mike Hayes and Bob Madigan
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38.26: Jon Diers
and Leigh
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38.27: Classmate
Cousins Leigh and Jerry Gibson
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38.28: Leigh, Susie
Mills Fults,
and Jeff Fults, His Best Man in the First Wedding
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Email comments, corrections, questions, or suggestions.
Also please email me if this Web site helps you decide to visit Lincoln,
Illinois:
dlhenson@missouristate.edu.
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"The Past Is But the
Prelude" |
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