With travel restrictions because of COVID-19 and the risk of catching it from travelling outside one’s home, not many people could visit the recently renovated H. I. Lincoln Building in Franklin Grove, Illinois, home of the Lincoln Highway National Interpretive Center in 2020. It is possible that travelling in early 2021 may be hampered by the virus as well. Until everyone can travel in person again, please enjoy a virtual tour inside the H. I. Lincoln Building, and the surrounding neighborhood in Franklin Grove, Illinois. The purchase of the 360-degree camera, related equipment, and a significant portion of this Website became possible through a generous grant from Illinois Humanities.
Illinois Humanities activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. Illinois Humanities is a nonprofit organization and the state’s affiliate for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Click the pictures below to view them as 360-degree images, then use your cursor to explore different views:
View of the side door near the back of the main floor, cashier area, and wooden cases often filled with baked goods made with real maple syrup!
H. I. Lincoln Building, with 1928 concrete directional marker and Lincolnway Cafe across the street
View of Rooney Building across from Lincoln Building, with mural showing Lincoln Building and a Lincoln Highway pin first sold in Franklin Grove by Henry C. Ostermann, Lincoln Highway Association. P. C. Rooney had this building constructed in 1868 and he sold medications, boots, shoes, and clothing. The second floor became a Masonic Lodge. Mrs. May Kelley later had a dry goods store in it. (Information from a map of Franklin Grove produced by Farming Heritage.)
