Coles Together

Angela Griffin, President & CEO

400 Airport Road

Mattoon, Illinois 61938

Ph: (217)258-5627 or (217)348-5627 - Fax:( 217)235-9492

Email: angela@colestogether.com

In the 1840s, Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham Lincoln, established his farm on Goosenest Prairie in the southern part of Coles County. The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is located in the southern-central area of the county. Live interpretation of the 1840s is enacted throughout the year and Abe Lincoln makes periodic visits to the log cabin as he did in the mid 1800s. The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site offers interpreters portraying members of the Lincoln family and neighbors on a daily basis during the summer months, doing daily activities common to an 1840s farm and talking to visitors in a period dialect.

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held their fourth debate at a site now known as the Coles County Fairgrounds. The Coles County Fair is the oldest continuous fair in the State of Illinois.

In the 1850s, the community became an off-spring of the western movement of the railroads, prospering and growing at a surprising rate. In 1861, Ulysses S. Grant, then a captain, came to Mattoon to muster in the troops of the 21st Illinois Infantry.

In the early 1900s, manufacturers found Coles County to be an ideal location for trade. Centrally located in the nation and in the State of Illinois, Coles County now has the advantage of an airport, rail services, highways and Interstate 57. Manufacturers and large office operations continue to enjoy the opportunities that Coles County continually offers, whether it be location, higher education, hard working labor force, community involvement or recreation.

Mattoon holds the title of Baseball Capital of the United States. With a population of under 20,000, over 10% of Mattoon residents currently participate in baseball, softball or tee-ball on over 160 organized teams. They were host of the Babe Ruth Bambino League World Series in August 1999. Then in August 2000 Mattoon was host of the inaugural Babe Ruth Cal Ripken Baseball Division World Series . The series included  international teams from Australia, Canada, Holland, Italy and Far East along with U.S. teams and the Host team. The championship game was televised live on the FOX TV network.

Coles County takes great pride in its Antique and Craft Shopping. The Coles County Antique and Craft Association works diligently at bringing/creating the best treasures to the communities. The Cross County Mall, Charleston Square, Oakland Square and Mattoon Midtown Merchants offer the finest in apparel, gift and specialty shopping. Novelty stores are found in all parts of the county. Mattoon's Illinois Route 16 showcases K-Mart and a Wal-Mart SuperStore. A new second  Wal-Mart SuperStore welcome's shoppers to Charleston's east Route 16. 

Fine dining can be found at the Inn on the Square in Oakland; E.L. Krackers, What's Cookin, Stix, City Limits in Charleston; and Cody's Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, Gowin's, The Alamo and C.W. Dandy's in Mattoon. The county offers a variety of family and ethnic restaurants, whether it be Chinese, Mexican, Italian or American delicacies. Fast food restaurants of almost every type and size can be found along the main strips in Charleston and Mattoon. Mattoon claims fame as home of the original "Burger King."

The area Chambers of Commerce are dedicated to seeing the county grow and prosper. Retailers benefit from the ever-present "Shop at Home" attitude. Community volunteers put a great deal of effort into beautification projects, fairs, festivals and recreation throughout the year. Mattoon sports a modern, well-equipped YMCA that offers activities for area residents of all ages. Charleston has recently completed construction of a new Band Shell for performances in the Kiwanis Park.

Coles County offers a wealth of resources for followers of all faiths and philosophies. Churches of all denominations and organizations supporting a wide variety of belief systems are embedded into the county's foundation. More than eighty-five churches and organizations serve the population of Coles County. Many campus groups at Eastern Illinois University have been organized to provide additional opportunities for learning, worship and fellowship.

Newspapers

Radio Stations

      Locally operated radio stations

Television

The Adult Day Services of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center believe that by providing a caring environment with goal-specific task and respite care for families, functional independence in a fun-filled environment can be promoted. Adult Day Services of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center is here to enhance the quality of life for people ages 18 and older who may be frail, alone, disabled or recovering from illness.

Adult Day Services of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, a not-for-profit service, is staffed by professional, caring people, committed to helping clients maintain their independence and well-being in a group environment.

Adult Day Services of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center offers:

For more information, call (217) 258- or 348-CARE (2273)

The county has over 600 hotel rooms available for visitors.

Best Western Worthington Inn · Comfort Suites  · Days Inn ·  Fairfield Inn by Marriott · Hampton Inn · Inn on the Square Bed & Breakfast · Lakeview Ranch Bed & Breakfast  · Ramada Inn and Conference Center of Mattoon · Super 8 Motel · U.S. Grant Motel · Varsity Inn Motel