Carlinville, Illinois ~ My Hometown

This is the dome of the Macoupin County Courthouse located in Carlinville, Illinois. I grew up in this small Midwestern town that exemplified everything you now read about small town America of the 1950s and 1960s. I am so grateful to have lived in that town, throughout those years. Carlinville folks worked to make their living; took care of their families and homes the best they could; knew and cared for their neighbors; tried to live the lessons they learned attending the church of their choice; provided the town's children with a great public education; kept the townfolks healthy and their property safe; offered an array of individually owned businesses that supplied the townspeople's needs; and presented a variety of entertainment options and community events.

This courthouse has a colorful history that can be accessed online. It's easy to find links to stories about the "Million Dollar Courthouse" and the scandal that surrounded its funding. Abraham Lincoln represented clients in an earlier Macoupin County courthouse building and when this courthouse was completed in 1870 it was the second largest county courthouse in the entire United States.  Isn't it beautiful?

Not only does Carlinville have this magnificent courthouse with all its history, but the town is laid out in a grid with a charming square serving as the primary business district. There are four entrances to the square for vehicle traffic and businesses are located along each of those streets near the square. 

The square has a brick roadbed and the center is landscaped to highlight a lovely gazebo. On my recent visit home, there was entertainment in the gazebo on a weekend evening, which is typical during the summer months.

Scenes like this are played out all across this great country of ours...this is truly America!

And, even though I have not lived in Carlinville for several decades, I am proud to call this wonderful small town ~ MY HOMETOWN!