7:00am approx. departure time from our pick up location

We will set out for our day in Carlinville and Livingston, Illinois.  Carlinville has been called one of the “Best Small Towns in America.”  It is rich in history and as a community they have preserved its beauty and charming atmosphere.  Carlinville is warm and welcoming and is centered on its picturesque town square, home to historic buildings, quaint shops and restaurants, and a beautiful gazebo. Meet your step-on guide, Deb Young this morning at the majestic County Courthouse, seat of Macoupin County, IL, which is affectionately known as the Million Dollar Courthouse. The Renaissance Revival masterpiece boasts an exterior constructed from gold-colored bricks of stone and a portico with 40-ft. Corinthian columns.  Abraham Lincoln occasionally practiced law here and you will see it today along with some of Lincoln’s court documents that are on display. Along with the Courthouse you will also visit the Anderson Mansion.  See the interior of this grand mansion and hear about the beautiful Master Gardener Flower beds that are in bloom in the summer. 

As we drive along the shaded streets you will be introduced to neighborhoods of Victorian mansions,  stately brick Federals, and unique to the American dream of home ownership, the largest single collection of Sears homes in the United States.  Deb will tell you about the history of the Sears Homes which are found in the “Standard Addition”.  Beginning in1917, Carlinville saw its population grow by one-third when Standard Oil of Indiana opened two new coalmines.  So Standard placed the largest catalogue order in Sears history and purchase over 150 homes.  Today, Deb will tell you about these homes then enjoy a tour of one of them  Next it’s a bountiful lunch at Reno’s in the Town Square.  Your buffet lunch features the following:  Francesca’s Italian Salad, several Italian entrees & Roast Beef, Italian Potatoes & Vegetable, Dinner Rolls & Dessert with  beverage.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

We’ll depart now and travel on to Livingston, Illinois and the Pink Elephant.  This unique and interesting antique mall features life size statues all around it.  Listen to a bit of history about the property then enjoy some shopping time at the Pink Elephant.  Be sure to bring your phone or camera for picture taking.  Then head over to the 50’s Diner for a taste of the bygone days we remember as teenagers when soda fountains were the place to meet your friends and you could enjoy an old fashioned malted milk drink.  Today your treat is an ice cream sundae. We will depart the area and travel back to our pick up point and we should arrive there by 5:15pm.   

 

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