Lincoln/Douglas Square image

Lincoln/Douglas Square

Tourist attraction

👍 There's not too much to say about this. It's a nice little square with some statues and plaques that mark the spot where Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln had their famous debate. It's well kept and interesting, and a neat place to stop on your way to somewhere else. People often mention history, Lincoln, nice, Douglas, statues, town, debate, Alton, Great, flood,


Address

100 Market St, Alton, IL 62002, United States

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (130 reviews)

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: history (12) Lincoln (11) nice (10) Douglas (10) statues (7) town (7) debate (6) Alton (6) Great (6) flood (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Jill O. 4 years ago on Google • 54 reviews
    There's not too much to say about this. It's a nice little square with some statues and plaques that mark the spot where Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln had their famous debate. It's well kept and interesting, and a neat place to stop on your way to somewhere else.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin W. 4 years ago on Google • 154 reviews
    Very cool bit of history for both illinois and the country as a whole. The park is well maintained. Can be a bit of a pain to get to, mainly due to parking, so you may have to walk a block or two if the town is busy but worth the trek.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeff P. 1 year ago on Google • 793 reviews
    The life size statues of Douglas and Lincoln are almost comical. Abe towers over the bellowing Douglas. Plaques and posters explain what happened here and it's significance for Lincoln's career.

  • 5/5 D.R. Z. 1 year ago on Google • 119 reviews
    Alton is full of history!! Many significant historical events have occurred in this small town. This is a favorite of mine.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 George S. 1 year ago on Google • 569 reviews
    We happened on this little piece of local history by accident. It is a nice photo op and I had heard of the Lincoln/Douglas debates. Honestly Lincoln looked too short to the be a life-size statue here. I wanted to stand next to Abe with a tape measure, but signage did not allow it. What is the fun in that?

  • 5/5 Linze A. 4 years ago on Google • 473 reviews
    Great place to hang out - with or without the flood.

  • 5/5 Bill C. 4 years ago on Google • 140 reviews
    Daughter had wanted to visit the debate location in our home town for past 6 months. Had the time between family Christmas events. Spent 20 - 30 minutes reviewing the site and statues. Even found the brick, family had donated for the site.

  • 5/5 Lyndy Z. 3 years ago on Google • 130 reviews
    Not for rom the US, it was fun to see a piece of local history from where my husband's family is from. A neat place, great story of early Alton, and a good view of where the 500 year flood was years ago (1933?)

  • 5/5 Mary P. 1 year ago on Google • 88 reviews
    Very nice pocket park; you and the kids can learn a lot. First stop on the Alton History Trail. Highly recommend!

  • 4/5 Austin S. 5 years ago on Google • 61 reviews
    Such an amazing little understated historical spot. This is a must-stop place in town, along with the Reverend Lovejoy memorial. I love just coming here and quietly sitting to contemplate what it must have been like to see the debates over slavery at that time.

  • 5/5 Levi L. 4 years ago on Google
    A great place to go for a swim!

  • 5/5 Jason H. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice little place to visit while in downtown Alton.

  • 5/5 lori j. 4 years ago on Google
    Very nice park

  • 5/5 Christopher K. 4 years ago on Google • 5 reviews
    I brought my daughter down to see the flood of '19. Perfect vantage point. 💯

  • 5/5 Leslie S. 4 years ago on Google
    History of president Lincoln debating in my home town.

  • 4/5 Tom M. 4 years ago on Google
    Great

  • 5/5 Vesheta P. 5 years ago on Google
    Pokemon stop

  • 5/5 Smooth C. 4 years ago on Google
    Flooded good pictures

  • 4/5 Ceaser V. 4 years ago on Google
    Good

  • 4/5 Carl J. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting historical site in understanding Lincoln's unexpected journey ro become President. Easily accessible and well worth a 15-minute stop.

  • 4/5 Mandy L. 4 years ago on Google
    It's currently partially underwater but adorable little old town!

  • 5/5 Ginger D. 2 years ago on Google
    I love visiting historical sites and this area has a lot

  • 5/5 Shellie B. 3 years ago on Google
    This is a nice little stop for History buffs. I've seen the drawings of these debates before, so it was neat to see the spot. There was a convenient parking lot.

  • 5/5 Steven E. 1 year ago on Google
    Ver nice view, nice piece of history! Good spot to have lunch!

  • 5/5 Dave N. 1 year ago on Google
    It is a square. In a town. Stuff happened near here. And now it is a park. Merica!

  • 4/5 John R. 1 year ago on Google
    Great monument to momentous period of American history.

  • 4/5 Andy C. 10 months ago on Google
    Fascinating history

  • 5/5 bill s. 4 years ago on Google
    Very historic

  • 5/5 Ken W. 3 years ago on Google
    A great history lesson .

  • 4/5 william R. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit lots of info

  • 3/5 Paul C. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice area, but need to clean light fixtures and birf poop off of benches

  • 5/5 Pete Z. 4 years ago on Google
    Great information on a Genuine Lincoln Douglas debate site. The Rotary Club of Alton did a tremendous job on this Square and having the Statues by Sculptor Jerry McKenna.

  • 4/5 Mary M. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a nice memorial set up for the debate against Lincoln and Douglas. These pictures were taking in June 2019 with the Mississippi flood waters almost reaching the display. You will notice the national guard to prevent vandalism and such.

  • 5/5 Derrick V. 4 years ago on Google
    History!!!!! The famous Lincoln,- Douglas debate some say this is where Lincoln won The election but to actually stand where is great man stood us pretty cool

  • 5/5 Janice B. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting. My 7 yr old grandson enjoyed the history of Lincoln Douglas Debate.

  • 5/5 Charles M. 3 years ago on Google
    Its6 public space with history.

  • 5/5 wil L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I loved. (Original) Me encanto.

  • 5/5 Brian H. 3 years ago on Google
    I appreciated the reminder that Lincoln won the popular vote (& the debate), but the political "elite" made Douglas the IL Senator. And the square has a number of benches & a nice view of the Mississippi River.

  • 1/5 Richard L. 4 years ago on Google
    Anything with Doug in it I guess

  • 5/5 dion e. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome place to visit very historical place

  • 5/5 D.H G. 4 years ago on Google
    Great piece of hist.

  • 3/5 Kyla T. 4 years ago on Google
    Theincoln Douglas Square had statues of both men along with some other statues. There are names on the bricks on the ground and there are little factual stories on boards near the main statues. You are not supposed to touch the statues. There is a nice view of the Missisippi River and there is parking nearby.

  • 5/5 Grant S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great view and love the history.

  • 4/5 Gregory Z. 4 years ago on Google
    Its okk

  • 4/5 Robert R. 4 years ago on Google
    👍👍👍👍

  • 5/5 Jeanine H. 4 years ago on Google
    Well it was flooded when I went there but from what I understand the waters have receded. Not much to do except a bunch of bars and the like but it's a part of my history my hometown

  • 5/5 Sheryl J. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome

  • 4/5 Joseph M. 4 years ago on Google
    Good River view

  • 5/5 ashley f. 4 years ago on Google
    Took pictures of flood

  • 5/5 Taylawrrr 4 years ago on Google
    As destructive as it is, the flood was quite a sight

  • 5/5 Missy R. 4 years ago on Google
    Small commemorative park in Alton, IL. If it's flooding, it's a good vantage point to gawk at all of the water and compare the height to the red line (1993 high water mark) on the ConAgra silos.

  • 4/5 Sharizan F. 4 years ago on Google
    Was a fun time seen alot of different Christmas characters there And loved being apart of the community. Got a great picture of my fiancee Jason Mcnish and the Grinch. Hot chocolate and cookies was awesome.


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