04/13/2026
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
