Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register has been writing a series for the newspaper called Illinois Postcards, which delve historical and social facets of the town. Today, the latest edition is about the Route 66 town of Elkhart.
One of the most notable things about Elkhart is a hill that stands 777 feet above sea level, called Elkhart Hill. That doesn’t sound like much, but it stands out amid the flat Illinois prairie.
Second, Elkhart’s always been a draw to historical figures, it seems.
That started with Abraham Lincoln, who stayed in a hotel on the hill.
Lincoln was followed by champion marksman A.H. Bogardus, credited with creating the sport of skeet shooting. Buffalo Bill Cody was a frequent visitor to Bogardus’ home. Civil War hero Richard Oglesby lived there and went on to become Illinois’ first three-term governor and served one term in the U.S. Senate. Adlai Stevenson wrote a campaign speech on Elkhart Hill.
Oglesby and Gillett are both buried in a cemetery on the hill.
Incidentally, Elkhart was officially known as Elkhart City until 1979, when residents voted to change the name. Apparently locals already had been referring to it as simply “Elkhart” anyway.
Also noteworthy: Horsefeathers, an antiques and gift shop on the main business district a block east of Route 66, is planning to open a Route 66-themed restaurant.
More about Elkhart can be found here.