Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Metamora Courthouse
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Back of Metamora Courthouse in winter
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Built | 1845 |
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| Architect | Irving, David |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001203 |
| Added to NRHP | March 30, 1978 |
The Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site is an old and important building in Metamora, Illinois. It used to be the main courthouse for Woodford County. Built in 1845, it was a busy place where important legal decisions were made. This courthouse is special because it's one of only two places left where Abraham Lincoln, who later became a U.S. President, worked as a lawyer.
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Abraham Lincoln's Time at the Courthouse
Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer who traveled a lot. He worked in many courthouses across Illinois. The Metamora Courthouse was one of these places. Lincoln handled over 70 different legal cases here. These cases included many types of legal issues. He helped people with family matters and other disagreements. He also worked on serious cases involving people's freedom.
Lincoln's Law Firm and Travels
Lincoln's law firm was called Lincoln & Herndon. It had only two lawyers: Lincoln and his partner, William Herndon. Their main office was in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln was the partner who traveled to different county seats. He visited places like Metamora when the court was in session. He handled many cases in Woodford County from 1845 to 1858.
Lincoln's Path to Presidency
During his travels, Lincoln made many friends. These connections helped him later in his political career. In 1858, he ran for the U.S. Senate against Stephen A. Douglas. Even though he lost that election, his amazing speeches made him famous across the country. This fame led to him being chosen as a candidate for president in 1860. He ran for the U.S. Republican Party. Lincoln's skills as a speaker were very important. He practiced these skills as a lawyer in courtrooms like the one in Metamora.
After Lincoln's Presidency
After Abraham Lincoln became president in 1860, the Metamora Courthouse continued to be used. It served as the county courthouse until 1896. That year, the people of Woodford County decided to move the county seat to Eureka, Illinois.
New Uses for the Old Courthouse
From 1896 to 1921, the historic courthouse became a community center. People used it for many different activities. Plays and movies were shown there. Local groups also held their meetings in the hall. In 1921, the building was restored. It became a museum to remember the history of law in early Illinois. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency takes care of it.
Inside the Metamora Courthouse
The Metamora Courthouse has two floors. The first floor is a museum. It shows the local history of the area and how law worked in early Illinois. The second floor looks just like it did in the 1850s. It has the county courtroom and the judge's rooms.
The Metamora Courthouse is special. It is one of only two Illinois courthouses where Lincoln practiced law that are still standing on their original foundations. The other one is the Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site.
