Above: Lincoln argued a case in 1859 at the Appellate Courthouse in Mount Vernon. Below: “Red-tailed Hawk” by Art Boatright is one of the many sculptures at Cedarhurst.

In fact, historical and cultural sites come together beautifully in Mount Vernon. Add in romantic inns, a local winery and nearby outdoor recreational opportunities, and you can make a case for a great weekend getaway.

A look at history

The two-story appellate courthouse, located at 14th and Main streets, is a must-see when visiting Mount Vernon. The ceilings rise 22 feet. The walnut bench, pillars and furniture are original. Lawyers may be literally standing in Lincoln’s footsteps.

“Nothing’s changed since Lincoln’s been here,” said John J. Flood, appellate court clerk. “It’s always been a courtroom.”

Lincoln successfully argued a tax assessment case here on Nov. 18 and 19, 1859, on behalf of the Illinois Central Railroad. The case rescued the railroad from financial ruin, which in the end resulted in a boost for the Illinois economy.

“If Lincoln would have lost this case, the Illinois Central would have been bankrupt,” Flood said.

The elegant 19th-century courthouse, with its wrought iron exterior staircase and Greek Revival-style architecture, also was used as a temporary hospital by Clara Barton, the organizer of the American Red Cross, after a devastating tornado ripped through the county in 1888 and destroyed much of the town.

“This has to be the distinction, too, for being the area’s first hospital,” he said.

An unusual feature of the courthouse is the private quarters complete with kitchen and sitting area for the appellate judges, available for when they travel to hear cases, all located on the ground floor. Outside the building stands a bronze statue of Lincoln as he would have appeared in the 1850s as a young lawyer.

Another look into the past comes through the Jefferson County Historical Village, 1411 N. 27th St. Here, you can explore several structures, including a one-room fully furnished schoolhouse, and the circa-1873 Mount Olive Church with its original handmade pews. Hiking trails also wind through the property. It is open the first weekend in May through the last weekend in October.

Arts haven

This quaint southern Illinois town is also home to the impressive Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, a collection of buildings situated on a 90-acre estate off Richview Road. The centerpiece is the Mitchell Museum with two exhibit spaces and a Children’s Gallery, where little ones can become part of a painting or read about art beneath a massive faux tree. The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 400 pieces by Mary Cassatt, George Luks and Maurice Prendergast, among others.

Outside, the Kuenz Sculpture Park offers more than 60 large-scale sculptures throughout the property, which includes hiking trails through the woods, a pond and plenty of benches where visitors can stop and enjoy nature and art.

In addition, impressive sculpture exists throughout town, and the Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center at nearby Rend Lake provides an additional first-class art gallery and gift shop.

Romantic getaway

Mount Vernon makes for a perfect romantic getaway, beginning with the charming Sidwell Friends Bed & Breakfast, located at 1812 Richview Road. Built during the 1920s, the newly redecorated Colonial-style home features three guest rooms containing antiques and a master suite with sleigh bed, Jacuzzi tub, heated tile floor and a separate walk-in shower.

Guests are not only greeted by the friendly owner Larry Sidwell, who is happy to assist with tourist information and restaurant suggestions, but also are given the reign of the house and gardens, the latter of which are tended by Sidwell. In the morning, guests are treated to a gourmet breakfast featuring fresh Illinois produce from area farmers’ markets. The B&B is within walking distance of Cedarhurst and the Jefferson County Historical Village.

In addition to other B&Bs, there are several chain motels here, including the Drury Inn (AAA Two Diamonds) and the Fairfield Inn & Suites (AAA Three Diamonds).

The GenKota Winery is situated at the intersection of Interstates 57 and 64, but you’ll forget the cars sailing by as you sip award-winning wines and port on the expansive covered porch overlooking a small vineyard. The winery offers signature pizzas, sandwiches and wines by the bottle or glass and offers live music on most weekends.

Another great spot for a romantic meal for lunch and dinner is the 9th Street Grill, located downtown at 222 S. Ninth St. The quaint restaurant accented by original artwork offers an eclectic array of tastes, including a spicy chicken, sausage and shrimp pasta dish called The Gambit, plus fresh seafood and steaks.

You also can grab a GenKota bottle and picnic sandwiches and head out to the town’s many parks or to the Rend Lake Recreational Area about 20 miles south of Mount Vernon. Rend Lake offers boating, fishing, camping and swimming at the 18,900-acre man-made lake, plus a full resort surrounded by hiking trails and a 27-hole golf complex designed by renowned Chicago architect Lawrence Packard.

Cheré Coen is a contributor from Lafayette, La.