Historic Menard County Courthouse Square

After visiting Lincoln's New Salem, drive two miles north on Route 97 to Historic Menard County Courthouse Square in Petersburg. Or, better yet, leave your car at Lincoln's New Salem and enjoy a relaxing ride on Stier Trolley Express to the Courthouse Square.

Get off the trolley to tour historic sites & landmarks; sample delicious foods, and "shop til you drop".

Tour the majestic Historic Menard County Courthouse, built in 1896, which graces the center of the Courthouse Square. Take a look inside. Many historical documents & artifacts are on display.

After touring, exit the Courthouse on the south side of the building. Near the exit door, read the plaque honoring Peter McCue, famous quarter horse whose birthplace is five miles north of the Courthouse Square. Today, 75% of all registered Quarter horse, Apoloosas, and Paints have Peter McCue's bloodline.

Afterward, head to the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square to see the stately Memorial Monument dedicated to the memory of Veterans in Menard County who gave their lives for their Country.

Next, walk to the northeast corner of the Courthouse Square, and view the monument, erected 1921, which states, "Abraham Lincoln traveled this way as he rode the circuit of the 8th judicial district 1847-1857, erected 1921".

Then, turn west and walk to the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square.

After that, walk one block southto visit the Menard County Historical Society's Museum & Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Museum on the southwest corner of Seventh & Jackson Streets. View records and artifacts concerning the fascinating history of Menard County & the development of land surveying in Illinois, including Lincoln's work as Land Surveyor.

After visiting both Museums, walk across to street to view & read the captivating Looking for Lincoln storyboard on Abraham Lincoln as Land Surveyor. If you glance across the street, you can also see the spot where Lincoln surveyed Petersburg years ago.

Next, walk one block west of the Courthouse Square on Jackson Street to visit the former family home of Edgar Lee Masters, author of "Spoon River Anthology". The Edgar Lee Masters Memorial Museum is in the former Edgar Lee Masters family home where the American Prairie Poet lived as a child between the years 1876-1881.

Hungry? Take a break. Fine eating establishments are on & near the Courthouse Square, including casual restaurants, formal restaurants, even an ice cream shop.

For shop-til-you-droppers, stores on & near the Courthouse Square have much to offer, including antiques, flowers & gifts.

Be sure to come back often & enjoy.

Menard County
Discover its History, Experience its Charm