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Postville Courthouse
914 South 5th Street
Lincoln, IL
217/732-8930
Open:
Jan-Dec: Tue-Sat 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Other tour times by appointment
NOTE ANDROID USERS ONLY: The donation payment processing function in the Illinois History mobile application for Android devices is currently down. Donations are still being processed through the web site at https://dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/experience/sites.html.We apologize for the inconvenience.
Watch the introductory video below.
Postville Courthouse is a reproduction of Logan County’s first seat of government. Constructed in 1840, the original building until 1848 was one of the courts in which Abraham Lincoln argued cases while traveling the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit. Long after being converted to residential use, the original courthouse was purchased by Henry Ford and in 1929 moved to his Dearborn, Michigan, Greenfield Village museum. This replica was constructed in 1953 on the original site as part of the city of Lincoln’s centennial celebration.
The two-story frame Courthouse sits near the center of a landscaped city block. The first floor has a reception and orientation room and an exhibit gallery. On the second floor are rooms representing an 1840s courtroom and a county office.
Visitors can view exhibits on the legal system in mid-nineteenth century Illinois and the experiences of judicial officials and attorneys, among them Abraham Lincoln, who traveled the Eighth Judicial Circuit. A guided tour is available of the recreated second-story courtroom and county office. The first floor is accessible to persons with disabilities; the second floor and basement, including public restrooms, are not.
Annual events at the courthouse:
- Abraham Lincoln Birthday Party open house held the Saturday before Lincoln's birthday. Activities include a guest speaker and entertainment.
- 1840's craft fair held the last Sunday in August, which brings crafters from three states.
For further information regarding our annual events, please call 217/732-8687.
Accessibility Information
The following are available for the visitor to the site:
- Postville Courthouse State Historic Site has on street parking with dedicated on street accessible parking and access to the sidewalk on the south east side of the square.
- There is a brick sidewalk leading from the street up to the courthouse. The Postville Courthouse State Historic Site has a accessible brick ramp leading to the rear door of the courthouse.
- There is no accessibility to the restrooms or second floor of the courthouse.
- Motorized accessibility devices are welcome (i.e. wheel chairs and scooters).
Postville Courthouse State Historic Site has on street parking with dedicated on street accessible parking and access to the sidewalk on the south east side of the square. There is a brick sidewalk leading from the street up to the courthouse. The Postville Courthouse State Historic Site has a accessible brick ramp leading to the rear door of the courthouse. There is no accessibility to the restrooms or second floor of the courthouse.
