Postville Park - Lincoln, IL
Posted by: NorStar
N 40° 08.805 W 089° 23.009
16T E 296972 N 4446768
Postville Park, according to a sign by an old schoolhouse building, was where Abraham Lincoln played 'town ball' and other games.
Waymark Code: WMJ005
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 09/02/2013
Views: 6
In Lincoln, at the intersection of 5th Street and Washington Street, is Postville Park.
Postville Park is located along 5th Street, about 3 east blocks from Illinois Route I-55 Bypass/Historic U.S. 66 and two blocks west from the Postville Courthouse. There is a U.S. 66 Historical Route kiosk at the intersection of 5th Street and Washington Street.
The park is a good-sized green with trees, picnic benches, and a playground. On the edge along 5th Street, there is a small building and a historic sign. The Illinois Historial Society sign has the following about it:
"Postville Park
In 1835 Russell Post, a Baltimore Adventurer, laid out the town of Postville which became the first Logan County Seat. the Town Square is now Postville Park. Here Abraham Lincoln and his friends played townball a predecessor of baseball, threw the maul a heavy wooden hammer, and pitched horseshoes."
U.S. Route 66 wound its way through many towns and cities. The kiosk shows that at one time, U.S. 66 was routed such that it went down Washington Street alongside this park. By the time U.S. 66 was designated, Postville had long been part of Lincoln. This park is a reminder of that earler village.
Americana: Roadside Attraction
Significant Interest: Other Icon
Milestone or Marker: Event Marker
Web Site Address: [Web Link]
Address of Icon: 5th Street and Washington Street Lincoln, IL United States of America 62656
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