Celebrate “Unforgettable Forgottonia” at Macomb Heritage Days

Located 240 miles from Chicago sits Macomb, Ill. The seat of McDonough County, this quaint and charming rural city of 15,000 is ideal for a weekend trip for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Windy City, particularly during its Heritage Days, which run from June 22^nd – 25^th, 2023.

By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago)

Thrown by the Macomb Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (MACVB) since 1982, the three-day festival celebrates the local institutes of higher learning, Western Illinois University and Spoon River College. Those attending the Heritage Days can enjoy a carnival, parade, classic car show, live bands, food trucks, petting zoo, pony rides, 5K run/walk, pancake breakfast, beer garden and more—all in the center of the town.

Founded in 1830, Macomb is officially designated as an Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area by the National Park Service. eATLAS’ free Looking for Lincoln in Macomb self-guided tour visits 10 sites in Macomb and McDonough County that have a connection to Lincoln’s life. The stops include the Randolph House Hotel, where Lincoln stayed on two occasions as he campaigned for the U.S. Senate in 1858, and the courthouse where he spoke. On the lawn of City Hall sits the Living Lincoln Topiary Monument, a 15-foot sculpture of the former president in which his beard is made of plant life!

Macomb is in the heart of a 16-county region that the locals call “The Republic of Forgottonia.” As the federal government built the interstate highway system in the 1950s and 1960s, west-central Illinois was bypassed for projects. The routing of major roads away from the area devastated the local economy. In 1971, a group of frustrated citizens hatched a satirical plan to form a new country out of the region.

“The idea is that we would secede from the Union, immediately declare war, surrender, then apply for foreign aid,” Neil Gamm, who, at the age of 25, was named governor of Forgottonia, said in 2010. Forgottonia even had a national bird (albatross) and flower (forget-me-not, naturally). To emphasize their willingness to surrender, the official flag was all-white.

The stunt gained national attention and had petered out by 1973. But not before it brought much-needed infrastructure improvements, including the resumption of railroad service between Macomb and Chicago. The MACVB has since revived the idea of the breakaway republic for its tourism campaign, “Unforgettable Forgottonia.” The legacy of Forgottonia is carried on by Macomb-based folk musician Chris Vallillo, whose 2022 release Forgottonia was inspired by the region’s past, and the Forgottonia Brewery, which has a taproom in the heart of downtown and donates $1 from every sale to community organizations.

Another tie-in to the city’s history can be found at The Old Dairy, which occupies the space formerly held by the Macomb Dairy. The restaurant has been delighting locals with all-day breakfast —including its much-loved grilled cinnamon rolls and homemade pies—and lunch items since 2004.

But arguably Macomb’s most famous contribution to the world is something for which its creator was never properly credited. In 1903, Elizabeth Magie received a patent for a board game she invented to teach the potential pitfalls of wealth accumulation. It was modeled on Macomb’s town square and called The Landlord’s Game. More than 30 years later, it was modified by Charles Darrow, who changed the location to Atlantic City, N.J., and sold it to Parker Brothers as Monopoly. After Magie went public with her patent, Parker Brothers paid her $500 for the rights. A 1939 version of The Landlord’s Game is on display outside the MACVB’s offices in the city’s historic train station.

Macomb’s Heritage Days promises a weekend of fun for the whole family. But those heading down there at any time of year will also be rewarded with picturesque scenery, a fascinating history, and plenty to explore.