Sangamon Sun

This guide includes information about National Historic Sites across Illinois, including the only National Historical Park and National Forest located in Illinois, three National Historic Trails, and nearly 90 National Historic Landmarks.

Pullman National Historical Park, Chicago, IL

Pullman National Historical Park was designated by President Barack Obama on February 19, 2015. The park tells the story of one of the first planned industrial communities in the United States. It is significant for its influence on urban planning and design and its role in American labor history, including the 1894 Pullman Strike and Boycott.

Located in what is now the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago, the historic district includes sites such as the former Pullman Palace Car Works shops and administration building, Hotel Florence, Arcade Park, Greenstone Church (currently Greenstone United Methodist Church), and A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.

Visitors can start at the Administration-Clock Tower Building which hosts the Pullman Visitor Center. Other notable locations include Market Hall, Pullman Firehouse, and Pullman Wheelhouse. Partners across the park boundaries include Historic Pullman Foundation, Bielenberg Historic Pullman House Foundation among others.

Lincoln Home, Springfield, IL

The home where Abraham Lincoln spent 17 years before becoming president offers visitors a chance to learn about Lincoln’s life. The surrounding four-block area has been carefully restored to reflect his time there.

Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument

Located in Sumner and Glendora Mississippi as well as Chicago Illinois. In Illinois it includes Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ where Emmett Till's funeral was held in 1955.

New Philadelphia

Founded by Free Frank McWorter in 1836 New Philadelphia became a unit of the National Park Service in December 2022. It is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

This trail winds nearly 4,900 miles through various states including Illinois connecting several historic sites like Cahokia Courthouse Meriwether Lewis Winter Camp at Wood River among others.

Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail

This trail commemorates Mormons' journey from Nauvoo Illinois to Great Salt Lake Valley Utah between 1846-47 with notable sites such as Carthage Jail Nauvoo National Historic District among others along its path through five states.

Trail Of Tears

Commemorates Cherokee people's forced removal from their homelands traveling through nine states including notable locations within Illinois like Hamburg Hill Golconda McCorkle Creek among others.

Shawnee National Forest Shawnee Hills Southern IL

Spanning over 289000 acres featuring oak-hickory forests wetlands canyons bluffs geological features declared by President Franklin D Roosevelt September1939 recreation areas include Bell Smith Springs Garden Gods Pounds Hollow Lake Glendale Johnson Creek among others .

A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is recognized for outstanding historical significance only some roughly three percent out ninety thousand places listed country’s register recognized NHLs.