Postville Courthouse State Historic Site

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Illinois History — Replica of the original Lincoln County courthouse (1840) — young Abraham Lincoln tried cases here as a circuit-riding lawyer. The original building was so important it was moved to Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village in Michigan!

Visitor Information

About Postville Courthouse

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site in Lincoln preserves a replica of the 1840 Postville Courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law — the third of the surviving Eighth Judicial Circuit courthouses. The town of Lincoln was the only town named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president, and Lincoln himself christened the town with watermelon juice in 1853.

Things to Do

Touring the replica courthouse, viewing the courtroom where Lincoln tried cases, and learning about the unique distinction of being the only town Lincoln allowed to bear his name. Free admission.

About Postville Courthouse

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site in Lincoln preserves a replica of the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law in the 1840s. The town of Lincoln is the only town named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president — Lincoln himself christened the town site with watermelon juice in 1853.

Things to Do

Touring the courthouse replica, learning about Lincoln’s legal career, discovering why the town of Lincoln was named before he was famous, and visiting the historic downtown.

Insider Tips

Lincoln’s earliest courthouse: The Postville Courthouse (replica) in Lincoln, Illinois is where the young attorney Abraham Lincoln argued his earliest cases. Pro tip: The town of Lincoln is the only town named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president — and Lincoln himself christened it with watermelon juice in 1853. Route 66: Lincoln sits on historic Route 66 — combine with Route 66 heritage stops.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round: Small indoor site. Summer: Route 66 road trip season. August: Lincoln Watermelon Festival. Spring/fall: Comfortable driving weather on Route 66.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Lincoln name the town after himself?

Yes and no — the town founders named it “Lincoln” in 1853 to attract the famous lawyer’s influence. Lincoln himself was skeptical, saying “nothing named Lincoln ever amounted to anything.” He christened the town by splitting a watermelon and squeezing the juice onto the ground. It’s the only town named for Lincoln before his presidency.

Wildlife & Nature

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site in Lincoln, Illinois, preserves a replica of the first Logan County courthouse (1840) where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. Lincoln (the city) holds the unique distinction of being the only city named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president — and Lincoln himself christened the town with watermelon juice in 1853. The courthouse served the county from 1840 to 1848. Lincoln’s circuit-riding law practice — which required traveling 400+ miles on horseback twice annually through central Illinois — built the personal relationships and reputation that launched his political career. The surrounding Logan County landscape of flat agricultural prairie supports red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and northern harriers year-round.

Nearby Attractions

Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site — the only other surviving Eighth Circuit courthouse. Lincoln (IL) has Route 66 heritage and the Lincoln Heritage Museum at Lincoln College. Railsplitter State Park offers camping and fishing. Springfield — 30 miles south — has extensive Lincoln sites. Atlanta (IL) — a Route 66 town. Elkhart Hill provides panoramic views. Edward R. Madigan State Park offers additional recreation.