Settlers from New England arrived in the area in the 1830’s. At the time of their arrival, the area was completely forested. They cleared the area to make farms and created the region’s first roads and structures. They originally named their new home Hanover, but the name was changed to Metamora in 1845, because several other towns in Illinois already had that name. It drew its new name from the main character of a popular play of that time period: The Last of the Wampanoags.
As more settlers were lured to Metamora by its fertile soils, the village rose to prominence in central Illinois. Metamora became the county seat of Woodford county in 1843 and held it until 1896. It was during this period that Abraham Lincoln practiced law in the Woodford circuit. Lincoln served in many trials in the Metamora courthouse. His wit, anecdotes, and country charm drew a large audience to his trials. The courthouse still stands and has been preserved as an Illinois state historic site.
Since the days of Lincoln, Metamora has continued to prosper. It is rich in small, local businesses and has some of the best schools in the state. Farming is still the heart of Metamora’s economy. The village continues to cherish its celebrated past by holding traditional dances, re-enactments, and keeping the doors of their historic sites open.
To learn more about the history of Metamora, visit the link below:
“I had supper, and was sitting by the fireplace. Pretty soon a man came in and sat down. Then another, and another, until there were seven or eight bearded, silent huskies sitting around me. I began to be disturbed. It flashed through my mind that possibly they were some sort of night riders, as obviously they had come for some pre-arranged purpose. Then Peter Engel glanced over the group and said, ‘well gentlemen, I guess its time to begin’ and he walked over to the fireplace, took his Bible off the mantle, and proceeded to lead the group through an extended prayer meeting.”
-Mr. Lincoln’s recollection of his visit to Metamora
Source: historicmetamora.org
Local Landmarks
Metamora Courthouse
113 E. Partridge St.
Metamora, IL 61548
The courthouse was built in 1845 as the governmental center for Woodford County and as a court for the former Illinois Eighth Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is best known for being one of only two surviving courthouses on the 8th in Illinois, where future U.S. president Abraham Lincoln practiced law and handled more than seventy cases — including two murder cases and two harboring slaves cases.
The Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 1-5pm March through October and noon to 4pm November through February. It is also open by appointment and for most events on the Metamora Square.
Adlai E. Stevenson | House
104 W. Walnut St.
Metamora, IL 61548
The Stevenson House is an austere two-story Federal style structure built before the Civil War. In 1858, Adlai E. Stevenson I began practicing law at the Metamora Courthouse. After his marriage to Letitia Green on December 20, 1866 they moved into this home. In 1868 they moved to Bloomington, IL where he opened his own law practice. The house is open each Sunday from 1-4pm, May through October.
Villiger Blacksmith Shop
308 E. Partridge St.
Metamora, IL 61548
Joseph Villiger came from Switzerland to Metamora in early 1906 and leased a local blacksmith shop from Sam Gauteche. For 32 years he worked as a blacksmith and farrier. The blacksmith shop rebuilt in the 1920’s still stands today at 308 E. Partridge in Metamora, Illinois. The shop is open each Sunday from 1-4pm, May through October.