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The Richard Latham Family built a home a the base of Elkhart Hill in the 1820's along a 300 year old Indian trail known as “Edward's Trace”. The trail was later used by fur traders and pioneers traveling from Peoria and the Great Lakes region to St. Louis. Due to the volume of travelers along this route, the James Lathams converted their cabin into a tavern which became known as “The Kentucky House”. It provided meals and lodging to travels, one of which was Abraham Lincoln as he rode the rural circuit as a lawyer. The site, located on the farm, is in the process of an ongoing archaeological excavation. Numerous artifacts have been recovered and cataloged by the Sangamo Archaeological Center, located on the main street of Elkhart. Under The Prairie Archaeological Museum houses the largest collection of pioneer artifacts in the Midwest.

Richard Latham 1798 - 1868 - Click for Larger View

Richard Latham 1798 - 1868 - Click for Larger View

Edwards Trace

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