Decatur is located in
Macon County and is the county seat. It lies about 30 miles east of
Springfield, the state capital, along
Interstate 72 on the banks of the
Sangamon River.
The area was settled about 1830 and immigrants included the family of Abraham Lincoln. The first post of the Grand Army of the Republic was erected in here 1866.
A heavy industrial era was stimulated by the creation of Lake Decatur in the early 1900s. Today the city, population 83,000, is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including two of the world's largest agricultural processors.
Local attractions include the Macon County Museum Complex, Scoville Oriental Gardens and the Mari-Mann Herb Farm. In addition, golfers will want to try out Faries Park Golf Course, Hickory Point Golf Course, Nelson Golf Course and Scovill Golf Club.
Post-high school education can be obtained from Millikin University, Decatur School of Practical Nursing and Richland Community College.
As an historical footnote, the Decatur Staleys, which eventually become the Chicago Bears of the NFL, kicked off here in 1918.
