Smokey and Jessica Visit the Lincoln Memorial Park in the Shawnee National Forest

Round Trip: 43.8 Miles

Total Miles Traveled: 385.3 Miles

Latitude: 37.4578274

Longitude: -89.2695292

Jessica and Smokey traveled to the Lincoln Memorial Park in the Shawnee National Forest.

Jonesboro is the third site of seven campaigns between Abraham Lincoln and Steven A. Douglas for the 1858 Illinois U.S. Senate seat. This is one of two historical markers in the park. At this time in history, Jonesboro was a sleepy town and Anna was only four years old.  Anna grew to become much larger than Jonesboro, but the two are usually referenced together. Despite many rumors, Lincoln did not promote abolishing slavery, but promoted the Missouri Compromise.  The Missouri Compromise made sure there were equal amounts of free states and slaves states.  These debates helped Lincoln gain national recognition and later would help him.