DANVILLE — Between two of the fabled Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, both candidates for the United States Senate came to Danville after the Charleston face-off, before heading to Galesburg.

Their speeches took place on consecutive days in late September in the area that is now Douglas Park. The exact site isn’t known, but newspaper reports from the era say the make-shift wooden stage where they spoke and dignitaries sat was near a grove of maple trees.

A new marker near the Bowman Avenue entrance to the park is now in place. Steve Lane, the city’s special services superintendent, said workers were able to erect it now because of the unusually warm weather. The dedication will be in early spring.

The idea came from members of the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable. They plan to place more historic markers in Danville and throughout Vermilion County over the next several years. Roundtable member Charles Hall, one of the marker’s sponsors, said, “My wife Kim and I are honored to have the opportunity to help mark the site of this significant historic event.”

Lane suggested the group also replant the maple grove through the city’s “Leaf a Legacy” program. Nearby maple trees, which may have been the descendants of those dating back to Lincoln’s time, were blown down during a mid-1990s windstorm.

Three trees were planted late this fall on the ridge above the marker, and space is available to plant an entire maple grove again.

Lane said the first three trees are already sponsored. The Danville Lions Club, Tara and Mike Auter and Rhea Weatherford stepped up to take those.

Lions Club President Mike O’Brien said the club’s sponsorship is part of the Lions International Tree Program, which has resulted in more than 4 million plantings in the past year.

The Auters are dedicating their tree to their 4-year-old son, Duncan. They plan to take pictures of their son and “his” tree as both grow up.

Weatherford chose to sponsor a tree in honor of Col. Oscar Harmon and his wife, Elizabeth. The Harmons spent a couple of hours conversing with their friend, Lincoln, before his speech in 1858.

Lane welcomes other sponsorships in the maple grove. More than 100 Leaf a Legacy trees have been planted since the program’s inception several years ago.

Lane said, “Most are in the various city parks, but they are also available on all city property and right of ways.” Individuals, businesses and civic organizations have sponsored trees in honor of anniversaries, births, memorials and gifts.

Plaque’s wording

The plaque honoring Lincoln and Douglas says:

“It was near here, at a grove of maple trees, that Illinois Senatorial Candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas spoke in September of 1858. During the height of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, the men came to Danville to greet the people of Old Vermilion between their formal encounters in Charleston and Galesburg. Banners and flags adorned the town, and spanned the streets of Danville in support of the candidates. Parades led supporters here.

“Stephen Douglas spoke at a rally on September 21st, and Abraham Lincoln addressed those at a barbecue in his honor the next day. The Democratic Press stated that Douglas drew the largest crowds, and as would be expected, the Republican Papers said the same about the attendance at Lincoln’s Speech. Both events claimed more attendees than the entire population of Danville at the time, as people from throughout the area came to see and hear the candidates.

“Lincoln lost the Senate Seat to Douglas in 1858, but he did carry Vermilion County. Two years later, Lincoln would not only receive the most votes here, but also win the State and the Nation to become America’s Sixteenth President.”

The plaque also has pictures of Lincoln and Douglas.

FYI

Information and a form to sponsor a tree through the Leaf a Legacy program are available on the City of Danville website, or by calling 431-2273. To sponsor a tree, the cost is $200, which includes the tree, planting, and a concrete marker.