Walking Where Lincoln Walked Growing up in a small town (there were only about 100 students in my graduating high school class), I was always dreaming about the day I’d move away to a big city for college and become a “real adult.'' But being raised in a small town felt like belonging to a tight- knit community, where your neighbors are like your family. There’s a different pace to life in a small town, where every moment is an important part of the journey. And the history of my small town is what shaped the person I am today. I’ve always had a fascination with learning about our country’s history — a self-proclaimed history buff — and my hometown was the perfect place for me to grow up given the historic events that took place there. Before becoming the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln visited Jonesboro, Illinois, in September 1858 to hold a congressional debate against political opponent Stephen Douglas that would help determine who would serve as Illinois’ U.S. senator. In fact, during his visit, Lincoln stayed at my childhood best friend’s house (owned at the time by Lincoln’s friend D.L. Phillips). On the day of the debate, Douglas was driven to the debate site in his carriage, while Lincoln walked. My town even painted footsteps on the sidewalk following the path Lincoln took to the debate site, allowing me to spend my days walking where Lincoln walked, imagining myself one day working to represent our country just like he did. Even though Lincoln would eventually lose the election for U.S. senator, his time in Illinois shaped him into the man who would become the president of the United States just a few short years later. So, while I love my new big city life in D.C., I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything. I often think about Lincoln’s painted steps traversing our town and reflect on the impact something seemingly insignificant had on my own life’s journey. I’d like to think my time growing up in Illinois also shaped me into the person I am today, just like Lincoln.
At my high school graduation in 2017 with my dad, also an Anna-Jonesboro Community High School alum (class of 1992)
Historical marker in Jonesboro, IL, commemorating Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas’ third debate
- Summer Roberts
Where Lincoln stayed for the debate, the home of D.L. Phillips in Anna, IL
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