ator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. The Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum www.raggedyann-museum.org downtown, while no longer officially open, comes alive for the Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival. The festival, held in June, brings collectors from the world over to trade dolls and stories of Raggedy Ann and Andy.
Nearby Arcola is Rockome Gardens (www.rockome.com). This lovely setting with the rock gardens and Amish craftsmanship has a few new additions to the popular buggy and train rides. They have added a petting zoo and large stock animal displays. For more information about the area, check out the website, www.arcolaillinois.org.
Pittsfield, an outdoor arena
Pittsfield, part of Pike County, draws hunters from all over Illinois and around the United States. This lovely city offers fun events for kids, like Pig Days. Held the second weekend in July on the courthouse lawn in Pittsfield, this event was created to celebrate the fact that Pike County was the Hog Capital of the World.
Honest Abe shows up everywhere, and Pittsfield is no exception. With 11 homes associated with Lincoln history, Abe Lincoln’s Talking Tour offers a tour by tuning the radio to the AM station listed on the house. For a copy of the self-guided brochure, visit the Pike County Visitors Center at 224 W. Washington Street in Pittsfield or the Bureau’s Office at Third and York streets in Quincy. For activities in the Pike County area, go to www.greatriverroad.com/quincy/pikecoattract.htm.
Taylorville, a central Illinois gem
Coal mining history runs deep under central Illinois. On the historic square in Taylorville, learn more about that history by visiting the Christian County Coal Mine Museum created by former miners. The museum includes information about the bloody 1930s mine wars and encompasses Christian County’s coal mining history. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
As he did in many central Illinois cities, Abraham Lincoln practiced law at the courthouse in Taylorville. Check out the bronze statue on the Taylorville square titled, “The Last Stop.” The statue tells of Lincoln’s request for a “writ of quietus” to silence the squealing village pigs under the 1839 courthouse during a trial. The pig in the statue brings to life that unique story. For more things to do in Taylorville, go to http://visittaylorville.com.
Lincoln area attractions
When heading north to Lincoln, stop in Atlanta to see the J.H. Hawes Elevator & Museum, one of the oldest surviving wooden elevators. This museum describes how grain was processed in years past (www.haweselevator.org).
The Postville Courthouse in downtown Lincoln was used from 1840-1847, and is one of the places Abraham Lincoln practiced law. Besides the courthouse, another place to stop is the Heritage in Flight Museum. Set in a WWII barracks from the German POW site in Camp Ellis, the museum features aviation and military displays. Details are available at www.heritageinflight.org.
Cindy Ladage is a freelance writer who lives on a farm near Virden. She loves to travel and write about the places where she has been.
