Galesburg was and still is a railroad town.  Two rail lines snaked their way through Galesburg in 1858, stretching through cities like Chicago and Peoria.  The above ground railroad was mirrored by Galesburg’s activity in the Underground Railroad.  The Underground Railroad was a network that abolitionists used to get slaves to “free soil.” Galesburg was also the home to Knox College and many anti-slavery teachers and students.  I know what you are thinking now, that brain is humming and saying, “Yes, this is a town that Lincoln would love to speak in.” You would be correct in cooking up this thought.  However, Galesburg held its fair amount of Democrats.

In 1858 there were roughly 5,500 people living in Galesburg.  Today, raise that number to 33,706.  The city sits in the northern section of the state.  Each debate following Galesburg happened in a city to the south.  Knox College, site of the debate, still takes students.  There is also Carl Sandberg College nearby.  Another president, Ronald Reagan, has connections to Galesburg.  I’m saving the best for last: every February there is a chocolate festival.  I’m talking homemade chocolate, professionally made chocolate… Everywhere you look is chocolate.  The secret is pacing.  Don’t get overexcited and dive into the first mound of fudge you see, stuffing your gut until it aches.  Where will you be then?  Missing out on the white chocolate covered pretzels, that’s where.  Take it from a guy with a one-ton stomach… pacing is everything.