City of Lincoln, Illinois

The Logan County Tourism Bureau and Visitor Center is uniquely located in the heart of Downtown Lincoln, within the Historic Train Depot. Originally constructed in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad, this depot replaced the city's first train station, built in 1853, during a time when Lincoln was a major railway hub.

The building operated as a train station until 1972, when most of it was closed to the public. It was then sold and transformed into the Depot Restaurant in 1977–78, becoming a beloved gathering place for both locals and visitors. Later, it served as a catering venue and was last known as McCarty’s at the Depot before closing in 2013.

A major $4.04 million renovation—funded by the City of Lincoln and an IDOT grant—breathed new life into the Depot. It reopened at the end of 2017, and the Tourism Bureau moved into its new home there in 2018.

Today, the Visitor Center offers a wealth of information on all there is to see and do in Logan County. Inside, visitors can view a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln commemorating his 1853 christening of the city with a watermelon, along with lifecast replicas of his hands. Just outside, on the south lawn, you'll find the Lincoln Christening Site, where you can learn more about Lincoln’s unique connection to the city named in his honor.

For more local history, head across the street to explore the Lincoln Train History Markers.

The adjacent Lincoln Depot train station remains an active Amtrak stop. Train tickets can be purchased online or onboard. For schedules and more information, visit the Amtrak website.

Constructed in 1895, Lincoln City Hall stands as a cornerstone of the downtown area and a proud symbol within the National Register of Historic Places District. Its distinctive red brick exterior was sourced from the former Lincoln Coal Company, adding to its rich local heritage.

One of the building’s most unusual features is the telephone booth perched on its roof—added in the 1960s as an early emergency tool for the Lincoln Fire Department. Originally installed to serve as a severe weather lookout, the booth provided firefighters with a high vantage point. The youngest, unmarried firefighter would be assigned to the post, equipped with a radio or a direct phone line to the station below. If dangerous weather conditions—such as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or tornadoes—were observed, the firefighter would alert the team below to activate the storm siren.

Although the rooftop siren was removed in 2009 after becoming inoperable, public interest helped preserve the booth itself. While it’s no longer in use and not accessible to the public, the rooftop phone booth remains a quirky and beloved feature of this historic building.

For the best view of this local oddity, head to the corner of Broadway Street and South McLean Street.

Step back in time and explore Abraham Lincoln’s rich history rooted right here in Lincoln, Illinois. This replica courthouse, built in 1953 to commemorate the Lincoln Centennial, stands on the original site of the first Logan County Courthouse, which operated from 1840 to 1847. During that period, Abraham Lincoln practiced law here as a circuit-riding attorney on the 8th Judicial Circuit.

The original courthouse was purchased by Henry Ford in 1929 and relocated to Greenfield Village in Michigan, where it remains today.

Make sure to carve out some time to visit The Mill Museum during your Route 66 adventure. It’s a rare treat to come across an original building on Route 66, and The Mill Museum is just that. Originally opened in 1929 as The Blue Mill, it sat on what was then known as Route 4 (later becoming old Route 66). The building’s design embraced a charming Dutch theme — its exterior painted white with blue trim, featuring a revolving, illuminated windmill. Inside, everything was adorned in Dutch blue, including the waitresses’ uniforms of white dresses paired with blue-trimmed aprons.

Over the years, The Mill changed ownership and its look shifted to red and white, but the iconic windmill motif stayed. Locals fondly remember The Mill as the “Home of the Schnitzel,” famous for its massive, fried, breaded sandwich — originally veal, later pork — that kept guests coming back for decades.

Though The Mill Restaurant closed in 1996 and fell into disrepair, its story didn’t end there. In 2005, it was sold for back taxes, but the new owner couldn’t afford to tear it down. The following year, Logan County Tourism Director Geoff Ladd teamed up with Ernie Edwards (owner of the renowned Pig Hip restaurant on Route 66) and other passionate supporters to save this historic landmark.

The Mill was honored in the Route 66 Association of Illinois' Hall of Fame on June 13, 2009.

Nearly 12 years later, on April 29, 2017, The Mill reopened as The Mill Museum on 66. Today, it houses Route 66 memorabilia and exhibits from The Mill Restaurant, The Tropics, and The Pig Hip — all iconic Logan County eateries from Route 66’s golden era.

In February 2020, the Logan County Tourism Bureau took over stewardship of The Mill Museum, warmly welcoming visitors to this cherished Route 66 destination!

The Tropics Restaurant was a beloved landmark along historic Route 66. It first opened its doors in 1950, founded by Vince Schwenoha, who was inspired by the lush, tropical atmosphere of Hawaii where he had served during World War II. He brought that island spirit to central Illinois through bamboo décor, exotic touches, and the now-iconic Tropics neon sign featuring a palm tree. In 1951, Lewis (Lew) Johnson and Beverly (Bev) Worth joined the staff at The Tropics. Their working relationship soon blossomed into romance, and by 1955 they were married. That same year, the couple began leasing and managing the restaurant. The Johnsons ran The Tropics with dedication and warmth, eventually purchasing it in 1982. Under their leadership, it became a true family business, known not only for good food but for treating both employees and customers like family. The Johnson family continued to operate the restaurant until 1997.

Though the building was demolished in April 2014, the iconic neon sign was preserved—donated to the Logan County Alliance and placed in storage. In 2016, The Tropics was honored with induction into the Route 66 Hall of Fame. Then, on June 24, 2018, the fully restored original sign was raised and lit once again, shining brightly as a tribute to the restaurant’s legacy and as a must-see stop along Illinois Route 66.

To explore more about The Tropics’ history and view memorabilia from the restaurant, be sure to visit The Mill Museum in Lincoln.

A stop at the Railsplitter Covered Wagon is a must on your Route 66 journey. Abraham Lincoln, a key figure in Logan County's history, frequently traveled to the city of Lincoln as a circuit-riding lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit—making it only fitting that a statue of Abe himself sits atop this iconic wagon. The giant covered wagon was built by David Bentley and generously donated by Larry J. Van Bibber in January 2007. Measuring 25 feet tall and 40 feet long, it has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Covered Wagon. Each winter, the cover is removed to protect it from harsh weather, then returned in the spring. Another local Route 66 treasure is The Tropics sign. After The Tropics restaurant was torn down in April 2014, the original sign was donated to the Logan County Alliance and placed in storage. In 2016, the restaurant was honored with an induction into the Route 66 Hall of Fame.

On June 24, 2018, the fully restored Tropics sign was raised and lit once again—becoming another unforgettable stop along Illinois Route 66.

To explore more about The Tropics and its rich history, don’t miss a visit to The Mill Museum in Lincoln, where memorabilia and stories from the restaurant are proudly displayed.