Charleston

CHARLESTON: COLES COUNTY

Charleston: Where The Past Meets Modern-Day Culture

Rich in Lincoln history and full of family fun, Charleston is a great getaway destination all year long. Whether visiting for pleasure or business, the city’s atmosphere is a perfect blend of historic past, modern culture, and progressive growth. Lincoln history is also part of Charleston’s charm.

Charleston was established as the Coles County seat in the 1830s. The community grew with the arrival of the railroad system. In 1858, one of the seven debates between senatorial candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas was held in Charleston. To commemorate this historic event, the community completed the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum, in 2000, at the Coles County Fairgrounds.

On the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Debate Museum, visitors can pose for a photo with life-sized bronze sculptures of the candidates, watch a film that tells the story of the Charleston debate, explore interactive displays, and even try on Lincoln’s boots and hat.

Another nature beauty is Lake Charleston. With 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails that surround the lake, it is a perfect place to run, hike, or walk to enjoy the scenery it has to offer. Early spring even offers a chance to see bald eagles.

Charleston is home to Eastern Illinois University (EIU), which was founded in 1895 as a teachers college. Today, the university’s campus boasts stunning architecture, beautiful landscaping, and excellent collegiate sports and fine arts performances.

The Doudna Fine Arts Center is EIU’s architectural landmark. Designed by the famous architect Antoine Predock, the renovated and greatly expanded facility boasts several public arts venues, including The Theatre, which seats 300; the Black Box studio theater, seating 150; the 600-seat Dvorak Concert Hall; the 180-seat Recital Hall; the 150-seat Lecture Hall; and several corridor art galleries. The Doudna Fine Arts Center houses EIU’s Departments of Art, Music and Theatre Arts. For more information, visit eiu.edu/Doudna.

Lake Charleston spillway

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historical Site

Lincoln Log Cabin, an 86-acre historic site owned and operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, preserves the last home of Abraham Lincoln’s father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln. Although Abraham Lincoln was a resident of Springfield by the time his father purchased the farm in 1837, he remained in frequent contact with his father and extended family in Coles County. The site includes an accurate reproduction of the Lincolns’ two-room cabin that was constructed on the original cabin site in 1935 as a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and National Park Service project.

As an up-and-coming lawyer, Lincoln traveled the eighth judicial

Charleston, including Calendar of Events, Continued On Page 53