Taylorville

If you haven’t added tiny Taylorville to your destination list for a weekend getaway, you should. Located in central Illinois just 30 miles from Springfield, Taylorville charms visitors with tree-lined brick streets and 11,000 friendly citizens. Founded in 1839, Taylorville has often been called “The Last Stop” in reference to its ties to Abraham Lincoln because it was the last stop for lawyers (including Abe) traveling the old Eighth Judicial Circuit before heading to Springfield.

Taylorville History

Taylorville’s entire downtown Courthouse Square District can be found on the National Registry of Historic Places with restored buildings dating back to the 1800s. Take time to browse the many unusual shops and restaurants that now occupy Taylorville’s downtown historic buildings.

Taylorville Must-Sees

Young Abraham Lincoln practiced law at downtown Taylorville’s Christian County Courthouse where he famously requested a “writ of quietus” when some squealing pigs scuffling under the courthouse floorboards disrupted his trial. Statues and murals around downtown illustrate Lincoln’s connection to Taylorville, including a life-sized bronze statue of Lincoln and a pig on the courthouse lawn that reminds visitors of our 16th president’s wit and sense of humor.

Taylorville

Dig deeper into Taylorville’s history by visiting the Christian County Historical Society and Museum grounds, which include an 1820s log house, a one-room school and an old train depot. To soak up local history with an aura of romance, book an overnight stay at Market Street Inn Bed & Breakfast, a lovely 1892 Victorian house with 10 guest rooms and a heaping helping of hospitality. The inn’s wraparound porch overlooks hosta and perennial gardens, and impresses guests with its ornate woodwork, six original fireplaces and grand oak staircase. After a relaxing night’s sleep, savor a homemade breakfast of egg casserole, French toast, fresh fruit and a steaming cup of coffee.

Outdoor Recreation in Taylorville

Spend a day fishing, boating, canoeing or swimming at beautiful Lake Taylorville, the city’s source of water and a popular recreation destination. The lake’s clear water and 50-plus miles of panoramic shoreline draw visitors and locals alike, and it has been named among the top five fishing lakes in Illinois. Fishing happens year-round at Lake Taylorville, thanks to an abundant supply of bass, crappie and sauger. A nearby campground and cabins allow visitors to spend multiple days on the lake with easy access to nature trails for hiking and biking. Two parks – Kiwanis and Optimist – near the lake provide space for picnics and children to play.

Taylorville

Golfers should book a tee time at Lakeshore Golf Course, an 18-hole, par 72 public course located on 160 well-manicured acres. Manners Park and the Don Bragg Sports Complex provide even more opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Taylorville Chillifest

Calling all chili lovers! Make plans to be in Taylorville Oct. 1-2, 2016, for the city’s 31st Chillifest, sponsored by the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce. Cooks compete for prize money to see who can concoct the best pot of chili, and the Chamber sells chili, chili dogs and Pepsi products in a tent near the courthouse. The highly anticipated event also includes a kiddie tractor pull, 5K “Hot to Trot” Run, cutest baby contest, chili-eating contest, pumpkin race, live music, pony rides, vendors and pageants to crown the Little Miss, Little Mister and Junior Miss Chilli Peppers.

For more about Chillifest or to plan your trip to Taylorville any time of the year, visit taylorvillechamber.com.

Did You Know?

Physicist and Nobel Prize winner Edward Mills Purcell, whose research is behind the technology used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was born in Taylorville in 1912. Taylorville is also the birthplace of Yvonne Craig, the actress who played Batgirl in the original 1960s TV series, “Batman.”

COMMENTS

  • Taylorville has become a shopping Mecca with numerous small boutiques and restaurants. Look at Small Town Taylorville on Facebook to get a feel for the many reasons Taylorville should be on everyones’ bucket list as a place to spend a couple of days of quality browsing and buying time.

  • The Christian County Historical Society and Museum is located just west of the downtown area. The museum has 8 historic buildings including the first courthouse of Christian County where Lincoln practiced law while on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The museum houses many authentic pieces housed in each building. It is open Thursday through Saturday and tours are available during that time. For more information call 217-824-6922.

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