Living Lincoln Topiary Monument & Looking For Lincoln Tour

05/21/2026

Have you picked up your official Illinois America 250 Passport yet?

Get yours today at the Western Illinois Museum or the lobby of the Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia offices inside the historic Amtrak Train Depot. Then start exploring our state’s history community-by-community!

🎩 Walk in Lincoln’s footsteps through the Looking For Lincoln self-guided tour, featuring documented speaking locations from his 1858 Senate race and the nation’s only Living Lincoln Topiary Monument.

🎲 Play Macombopoly, the world’s largest life-size Monopoly-style game built across the historic Downtown Courthouse Square, honoring Macomb native Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie and her 1904 creation, The Landlord’s Game, which was the precursor to Monopoly.

⭐️ Explore Underground Railroad and Civil Rights history, including locations and stories of freedom seekers sheltered in McDonough County and hometown Civil Rights leader C.T. Vivian, a key strategist for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

🌳 Discover historic downtown Macomb with its locally-owned businesses and public art, centered around a traditional Midwestern courthouse square and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

🎷 Learn about local music heritage, rooted in the legacy of saxophonist “Big” Al Sears, a Macomb native who performed with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. His famed career reflects the region’s connection to early jazz through the foundations of Rock ‘n’ Roll, annually at the Al Sears Music Festival in September.

America250 Enjoy Illinois Illinois Department of Natural Resources Amazing America Illinois Family Destinations All Illinois Things The Midwest Guide Route 66 Travelers Atlas Obscura Roadside America

05/21/2026

Let's do some fishin'!!

Get ready for a REEL-y good time! 🎣

Join us at Spring Lake Park on Saturday May 23rd for the 47th Annual Scott Jennings Fishing Contest. But this year is extra special, because you’ll get to meet and fish with none other than Abe Lincoln! 🎩

🐟 Event is FREE and open to all children
✍️ Registration @ 9am, fishing 10am-12pm
🥤 Free food and soda provided
🏆 Prizes include the Scott Jennings Sportsmanship Trophy and plaque, the top ten in each age group with the most weight caught, and a special prize for the largest single fish caught.

🎲 Afterwards, head to Macomb’s historic Downtown Courthouse Square and play a game of Macombopoly! Just download the app from eAtlas to get started.

05/02/2026

Tune In!!

‼️📺 If you missed last week’s TV special highlighting Macombopoly and Forgottonia, you’re in luck! The 30-minute prime-time television segment is airing again tomorrow morning (Saturday, May 2 at 11 a.m.) on WMBD (CBS).

Don’t miss this great tribute to our region and its fascinating past and present!

🎲 If you’re feeling inspired afterwards, then come stroll through Macomb’s historic Downtown Courthouse Square and play a game of Macombopoly! Just download the FREE app from eAtlas to get started.

04/29/2026

Mark your calendars - This is gonna be a great one!

03/31/2026

History didn’t happen in just one place. It happened everywhere — including in communities like Macomb! And with the Illinois America 250 Passport, you can start exploring our state’s history community-by-community.

Pick up your official passport at the Western Illinois Museum or the lobby of the Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia offices inside Macomb's historic Amtrak Train Depot.

🎩 Walk in Lincoln’s footsteps through the Looking For Lincoln self-guided tour, featuring documented speaking locations from his 1858 Senate race and the nation’s only Living Lincoln Topiary Monument.

🎲 Play Macombopoly, the world’s largest life-size Monopoly-style game built across the historic Downtown Courthouse Square, honoring Macomb native Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie and her 1904 creation, The Landlord’s Game, which was the precursor to Monopoly.

⭐️ Explore Underground Railroad and Civil Rights history, including locations and stories of freedom seekers sheltered in McDonough County and hometown Civil Rights leader C.T. Vivian, a key strategist for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

🌳 Discover historic downtown Macomb with its locally-owned businesses and public art, centered around a traditional Midwestern courthouse square and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

🎷Learn about local music heritage, rooted in the legacy of saxophonist “Big” Al Sears, a Macomb native who performed with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. His famed career reflects the region’s connection to early jazz through the foundations of Rock ‘n’ Roll, annually at the Al Sears Music Festival in September.

All Illinois Things Wandering World's Largest: Roadside Attractions & Oddities Across the U.S. Illinois Family Destinations Amazing America The Midwest Guide Route 66 Travelers America250 Enjoy Illinois Illinois Department of Natural Resources

02/13/2026

Happy birthday to Illinois’ favorite president! 🎂

🇺🇸 You can go pay Lincoln and his botanical beard a visit at the Looking For Lincoln Living Lincoln Topiary Monument, right here in downtown Macomb. 🎲 And while you’re there in our Courthouse Square, you can also play a game of Macombopoly any time! Just download the interactive app from eAtlas to get started.

All Illinois Things Wandering World's Largest: Roadside Attractions & Oddities Across the U.S.

02/13/2026

The city purchased the land and plans to bring it back as a hotel to honor President Lincoln.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

The city council this week agreed to pay $150,000 to acquire the south half of the structure built in 1857 as the Randolph House Hotel.