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 The
Metamora Courthouse was built in 1845 and served as the center of
county government until the county seat was moved to Eureka in 1896.
It is one of two surviving courthouses on the historic Eighth Judicial
Circuit traveled by Abraham Lincoln. In 1978 the Courthouse was
added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The first floor of the two-story brick structure contains
a central hall flanked by two exhibit rooms, one displaying artifacts
of early local history, the other with exhibits describing the 1850s
court system and Lincoln's life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
On the second floor, the former courtroom and two small  chambers
are furnished to represent the era during which Lincoln practiced
law.
Visitors may take guided tours of the building or view the rooms
and exhibits on their own. A ten-minute video history of the building,
which includes images and interpretation of the second floor, is
available for viewing. The building’s first floor is accessible
to persons with disabilities, the second floor is not.
Metamora Courthouse annually hosts an evening “Christmas
in the Courthouse” (first Friday in December). Contact the
site for details.
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