In March of 1837, after having been admitted to the bar in Illinois, Lincoln moved from New Salem to Springfield. For the next twenty-five years the first State Capitol Building in Springfield became the center of his many activities.
The Postville Courthouse was on the “Old Eighth Circuit.” In Lincoln’s day judges and lawyers rode horseback from one county courthouse to another, so as to make a living by representing the litigants in the suits to be heard. This was known as “riding the circuit.”
The Mount Pulaski Courthouse hasn’t changed much since Lincoln practiced law here more than a hundred years ago.
In the court and jury room Lincoln argued cases before such distinguished judges as David Davis, who became a Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
During those inevitable moments of disturbance when the courtroom became unruly, Judge Davis would sound this gavel calling for order in the court.