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Location Winchester is located approximately fifty miles west of thriving Springfield, Illinois, the State Capitol, and approximately fifty miles east of Hannibal, Missouri, the historic river-town home of Mark Twain. A part of the the great-plains landscape of Central Illinois, the town is just a few miles from the scenic rolling hills on the bluffs of the Illinois River. Jacksonville, Illinois, a community of 20,000 residents, and rich in manufacturing, retail and service businesses, lies twenty miles to the East. Just three miles off newly built Interstate 72, the community is easily accessible to travelers. From Springfield, IL: Travel west on Interstate 72 until exit 52 (about 50 miles). Turn left onto old Highway 36 and travel south for 3 miles. Turn to the left at the "Welcome to Winchester" sign. Travel time: approximately 1 hour. From St. Louis, MO: Cross the Mississippi River into Illinois and travel north on Illinois Highway 3 until the junction with U.S. Highway 67. Turn right onto 67 and travel north for approximately 4 miles. Stay to left onto Illinois Highway 267 and travel north to White Hall (approx. 40 miles). At the North end of White Hall take Illinois Highway 106 north for 15 miles. 106 curves to the left (west) shortly before becoming Cherry Street in Winchester. Travel time: Approx. 1:45. Winchester is the county seat of Scott County, Illinois. Founded in 1830 and named after Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky, the area was formerly occupied by the Kickapoo and Pottawottamie Indians. An early resident of Winchester was Stephen A. Douglas who came in 1833. Mr. Douglas taught his first and only school in Winchester with an enrollment of about 40 subscription pupils. A monument to Mr. Douglas was erected in the town square and dedicated July 5, 1930. It was designed by Fred M. Torry of Chicago and weighs 17,200 lbs. The money for the statue was provided by the 55th General Assembly of the State of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln made two visits to Winchester. The first was in 1854 and the second in 1858. On both occasions he delivered a political speech and at the time of the 1858 visit he remained overnight at the Eureka Hotel. The owner of the hotel was R.E. Haggard and Mr. Lincoln wrote the following inscription in Haggard's daughter, Line's autograph book. "To Line: A sweet plaintive song did I hear, and I fancied she was the singer. May emotions as pure as that song set astir be the worst that the future shall bring her. A. Lincoln" Burgoo soup has been made in the area since 1873 from a secret recipe, originally from England, handed down from generation to generation. Winchester became famous for its Burgoo after the Saturday Evening Post featured it in its August 8, 1953 issue as the "soup crazy town." Winchester is about 6 miles from the Illinois River. Many immigrants and travelers came up the Illinois river as the last leg of a journey that often times stretched back to England and Europe and ended in Winchester. The Illinois River is today an important shipping route for agricultural products and raw materials. With the construction of The Central Illinois Expressway in the late 1970's, Winchester gained further access to national shipping and transportation routes. A historical first occurred in the City elections in 1997 when Retha Anders became the first woman mayor of the City of Winchester. Community members, while aware of Winchester's rich history, look to the future with the completion of a Mapping project to assess how the community can grow into the 21st century while preserving the quality of life shared by residents of Winchester. Plum Creek Golf Course RR1 Box 182 Winchester, IL 62694 Plum Creek Golf Course is located 3 miles north of Winchester on Old Rt. 36. The 9-hole Bent grass course has water in play on 4 holes and plays to a par 72 over 6,480 yards. Built in 1995, the course was designed by David Gill. Weekend and weekday green fees are $7 for non-members during peak season. Tee times are accepted 5 days in advance with the course opening at 6:30 A.M. each day. Clubhouse: 742-9018 Scott County Courthouse and Offices Winchester is the county seat of Scott County which was created by an act of the General Assembly on February 16, 1839. Government offices are in the Courthouse next to the square.
Winchester Library The Public Library was built in 1910 on ground donated by Mrs. Percy Grout. Funds for the building came from the Andrew Carnegie Fund. The library is located on North Main St. Phone: 742-3150 Email: wlibrary@wincoinet.com Scott Memorial Pool The Scott County Memorial Pool was opened in August, 1963. Located in Monument Park on the North side of town the pool is open each day of the summer months. Pool office: 742-3622 Scott County Historical Society The Scott County Historical Society was an outgrowth of the United States Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 and the Winchester Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1980. The Charter and bylaws were adopted in February, 1981. As of June 1, 1981, there were 207 charter members of the organization. The Historical Society has restored the old train depot in Winchester to use for meetings, displays, and activities. | ||||||||||
