East on I-70. Vacationers traveling the Great Rivers region will find Vandalia at a key intersection of America’s early expansion, where the historic National Road carried settlers and commerce westward.
At the Vandalia State House State Historic Site, one of the iconic Madonna of the Trail sculptures honors the strength of pioneer-era mothers and marks Vandalia’s place along this historic route. As the western terminus of the National Road in Illinois, Vandalia became a vital gateway to the frontier. Visitors can explore this legacy at the National Road Interpretive Center and the Fayette County Museum or experience the charm of the Historic Downtown. Vandalia also played an important role in the early career of Abraham Lincoln. Built in 1836, the Old State Capitol is the oldest surviving Illinois State Capitol building, where Lincoln delivered early anti-slavery speeches and debated Stephen A. Douglas. Nearby Lincoln Park offers a peaceful place to reflect on this enduring legacy.
For more information, go to: VandaliaIllinois.com/for-visitors/explore-vandalia.