Broadway and Market Streets
Alton, Illinois
Site of the 7th Congressional Debate in 1858
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of formal political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for one of Illinois' two United States Senate seats. In July 1858, Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of face-to-face debates. Between August and October of that year, seven three hour debates, one for each of the seven Congressional Districts, were held throughout the state. Douglas, an incumbent Democrat, had been first elected in 1847. Lincoln, a former Whig turned Republican, was a relative unknown at the beginning of the debates.
Abraham Lincoln
1809-1865
Stephen A. Douglas
1813-1861
The seventh and last debate was held in Alton on October 15. With approximately 5,000 people gathered for the event which was held in front of the City Hall. State and national figures were present as well as press representatives from across the country. The debates had received national attention, with Lincoln campaigning on an anti-slavery platform and Douglas as a States' Rights advocate. Lincoln’s position that the U.S. could not survive as a nation of half slave and half free states helped put him into the political limelight. Although Lincoln lost the Senate race in 1858, he beat Douglas in the 1860 race for the U.S. Presidency.
Today Lincoln Douglas Square is a monument to this historic event. Funds for this project were raised by selling engraved bricks that were used to create a courtyard around life size bronze statues of Lincoln and Douglas.
Visiting the Lincoln Douglas Square
The Lincoln Douglas Square is in an open public area and can be visited at any time.
There is no charge to visit the Lincoln Douglas Square.
Explore the community of Alton area.
