State Journal-Register
The Horner Highway north of Springfield was one of the first examples of natural highway beautification in the nation.
Horner Highway, named after Gov. Henry Horner, ran along today’s Illinois 29 from Springfield to the junction with today’s Illinois 123 east of Athens.
In addition to serving as governor from 1933 until his death in 1940, Horner was a leading collector of memorabilia related to Abraham Lincoln. Horner’s collection, which he bequeathed to the people of Illinois, became the foundation for the Lincoln collection at today’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
The Horner Highway was planned partly to recognize Horner’s interest in Lincoln, connecting Oak Ridge Cemetery, site of Lincoln’s tomb, with what is today Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. The road from Athens to New Salem, however, was never formally incorporated into Horner Highway.