Lincoln Film

Early in August, the Iles House became a movie set.
The film depicts the life of Abraham Lincoln
and is using several historic Springfield locations.

The cast consists of many Iles House docents
and re-enactors from the 114th Civil War Regiment.
Here, they are in costume and waiting for their close-ups.

Abe and Mary Lincoln, preparing for a shot.
Technicians "smoked" the set to soften the light.

On the front porch, technicians check still images
for the balance of color and light.

The ladies of 1858, getting ready for a scene.
The movie will play at the Lincoln Library and Museum.
Release is expected in early 2008.

Lincoln Highway

Click on map to enlarge.

The Lincoln Highway was America's first coast-to-coast road, passing through 14 states on a journey of 5,869 miles, from New York to California. As a young Army officer, Dwight Eisenhower traveled it in 1919, and that experience inspired his later call for a federal Interstate highway system.

You may still travel the road, and a Lincoln Highway Association exists to preserve and publicize. Check out that site for a description of the Illinois section. Might make a good auto trip for early fall. Here's a book site with many photos of the highway today.