The Jonesboro site was the third of seven formal debates between Abraham Lincoln and Steven Douglas in their battle for a U.S. Senate seat. Just five miles from I-57 at Anna, IL, it’s a nice little bit of history in downstate Illinois. Let me spin a yarn for y’all, kids. Pull up a log and set a spell– The date was September 15, 1858. Steven«the dodger» Douglas was avoiding debating«Honest Abe»…okay, I really don’t need to go into the history of it all. Douglas won the Senate seat, but who’s on the U.S. penny? That’s what I’m talkin’ about! But honestly, the debates did make Lincoln known, Nationwide, contributing perhaps to his future successful bid as President. The debate site itself is nice, shaded among trees with a few informational placards and two statues of the gentlemen. Douglas looked really short. Like, Danny DeVito short! Park at the top of the hill and follow the painted footsteps as you«walk where Lincoln walked» to get to the debate site. It’s the Land of Lincoln. What else are you doing this summer?
