Journal #33: Horseshoes

Springfield has many things that are original to it, from the drive in to the Cozy Dog, but none of these is more important than Abraham Lincoln. There are few areas in the country that are themed for one subject as much as Springfield is geared towards Abraham Lincoln. Even though he was not born in Springfield, not even in Illinois, he was very important to this state. There are many tourist places throughout Springfield and the surrounding area that give visitors a very good sense of what Lincoln was about. The new addition of the Abraham Lincoln museum is a perfect example of the "Lincoln fever" that has swept Springfield. New Salem, located nearby Springfield, was Abe's home after his childhood. Even though he was from Springfield, at least as the president, had he not been such an important president that changed history, he would not be nearly as famous or idolized throughout Springfield. As a Boy Scout, I know how important he is. We have an annual "Lincoln Pilgrimage", where we gather at the Lincoln Memorial. Because he is buried here, it makes him even more important. There is no other city in the world that has as many Abraham Lincoln memorials or that has such an extensive collection of Lincoln information and artifacts. He is one of the only reasons that Springfield is even known. Even though we are a state capitol, national recognition would be hard to come by. I don't know every capitol to every state, and a state as unimportant as Illinois would be forgotten if not for Lincoln (not to mention that Chicago overshadows the rest of the state). Our entire state as immortalized Mr. Lincoln in making our state motto "Land of Lincoln". There are few presidents who made such an impact on a single town, or even to the nation. Perhaps Mt. Vernon, which is in Virginia, but it would be hard to beat Springfield and Lincoln.