Unquestionably, the greater Springfield area's most revered citizen is President Abraham Lincoln.  It seems that, on the way to Springfield, a Lincoln predecessor in the Presidency was touring through the west (as the prairie was then known) seeking to drum up support for a renewed bid for the office. 

 

"[Former President Martin] Van Buren’s travel was halted by impassably muddy roads some seven miles outside of town.  He and his companions had to put up for the night in the small town of Rochester, where the accommodations were terrible.  The Democrats were horrified – the aristocratic head of their party was stuck at a rustic tavern in the boondocks eating bacon and eggs.  Determined to make the best of a bad situation, they decided to take the finer points of Springfield to Van Buren.  Accordingly, they departed for Rochester after having gathered the best food they could get their hands on - and Abraham Lincoln, the most entertaining man they knew.

 

Perhaps Lincoln agreed to go as a personal favor to some Democratic friends.  Perhaps he felt that any former President of the United States, regardless of party, deserved his respect.  Or perhaps he was simply curious to meet the man who had held the highest office in the land.  Whatever the case, Lincoln made the trip and for the first time in his life came face to face with a former President." [1]

 

This Lincoln/Van Buren meeting is chronicled in a large mural along Route 29 in the heart of Rochester.  Located seven miles from the state capital of Springfield and connected by a four-lane highway, Rochester offers the benefits of a small town with the conveniences of a larger city nearby.  It has some of the states' highest rated schools, an extensive park system, is located on a major cycling path, and enjoys the services of several churches, stores, restaurants, and shops.  It's neighborhoods are varied from the very affordable to some of the finer homes in the Springfield metro area.

 

[1] Lincoln Footnotes,  Erika Holst