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Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

National Road Association of Illinois

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National Road Association of Illinois

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The National Road Association of Illinois promotes tourism and preserves the history of this scenic byway, also known as U.S. Route 40.

The Historic National Road (also known as the National Pike or Cumberland Road) was created in 1806 by President Thomas Jefferson. Construction began in 1811 at Cumberland, MD. The original road winded from Maryland through Pennsylvania, Virginia (now West Virginia), Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Surveying of the Illinois section got underway in 1828 with construction two years later. The federal government discontinued the project in 1838 with the National Road having reached no farther west than Vandalia, IL.

10/25/2026

London, October 1989. In a small Italian restaurant a few streets f...

10/07/2026

Here's a vintage photo of the Meislahn Store in Montrose,IL c.1910. For many years, it was a grocery store. It was started in 1898 by Christian Meislahn. They built their house next door. Christian and Helena Meislahn were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Montrose. The business operated until the 1970s, when other groups used it for various businesses. The complex was torn down.

08/14/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On August 13, 1860, in Springfield, IL, one of the most celebrated portraits of Abraham Lincoln is created.

J. Henry Brown, a Pennsylvania artist, arrives with letter of introduction from John M. Read, Pennsylvania Republican. Lincoln consents to sit for miniature painted on ivory.

"We walked together. . . ," wrote Brown, "to a daguerrean establishment. I had a half dozen of ambrotypes taken of him before I could get one to suit me."

Today, the portrait can be found in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

Info from Brown Journal, Ms., Photocopy via https://thelincolnlog.org. Image from the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

08/14/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On August 14, 1873, Mary Todd Lincoln becomes a grandmother for a second time when Abraham Lincoln II, also known a "Jack," is born to Robert and Mary Lincoln.

Note: Mary Todd and her daughter-in-law shared the same first name.

Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln II's father, served as the U.S. minister to Great Britain, formally to the Court of St James's, from 1889 to 1893 under President Benjamin Harrison. Jack died as a teenager during his father's service in Europe.

Learn more about the Robert Todd Lincoln Family at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont:
https://hildene.org/about/history

Info from https://thelincolnlog.org and Wikipedia. Photo from the Hildene website:
https://hildene.org/

08/10/2026

Here is the Enterprise Mills in St. Jacob, IL, around 1910. Who were the owners? Are there any descendants? Where was it exactly located?

07/30/2026

This kiosk of Effingham, Illinois is located on the grounds of the Effingham County Museum which used to be the old courthouse. It is badly fading since its installation around 2016. Sad.

07/24/2026

Yeah! Cahokia Mounds is open again after being closed for almost three years. They upgraded the computer software, improved the exhibits, and have plenty of parking. It is a World Heritage site worthy of a visit. Monk's Mound is the tallest earthen mound north of Mexico. There are about 68 mounds left of the original mounds left to explore. There are hiking trails and a Woodhenge to explore.

Address

106 S 5th Street
Vandalia, IL
62246

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16182839380

Website

http://www.nationalroadillinois.org/

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