• Top hat with books
    Looking for Lincoln

    Trail One

    This walking/driving tour includes historical buildings and sites where Abraham Lincoln gave speeches, held trials, and stayed in Carlinville.
  • Historic photo of the first Ariston Cafe
    Silk Stockings and Coal Mines

    Trail Two

    This walking/driving tour tells the story of Carlinville through the centuries, featuring homes and neighborhoods of Carlinville's historic past and highlighting initiatives and projects of present-day Carlinville. Starting at the Square again, this trail is approx. 3.5 miles.
  • Carlinville Amtrak Station
    Westside Pollinator Gardens

    Trail Three

    Tour the Pollinator Garden at the Amtrak Station, and take an easy walk across the railroad tracks to Carlinville High School campus. Cross the street from the student parking lot and view the site of the old Otwell Iris Fields, which brought thousands of visitors to town annually. Next, walk or drive to the Macoupin County Historical Society.

Historical Trails Project

This project was made possible by the Foreground Rural Initiative grant to Carlinville Winning Communities. Illinois Humanities generously supports our work to strengthen our community, to better understand ourselves and those who were here before us.

A special thank you to all others who dreamed, researched, designed, donated, edited, and labored. We appreciate every one of you. --Mary Tinder and Andrea Duncan

Visit the Old Cannonball Jail (205 E. 1st South St.) for other tourist information and brochures.

Illinois Humanities