STERLING – Abraham Lincoln did something that I haven’t done – he spent the night at the Lincoln-Manahan Home in 1856.

I, however, did something our 16th president didn’t do, so we’re even. I took a tour of the home at 607 E. Third St., led by Dave Lowe, who just happened to be outside when I arrived and welcomed me with his enthusiasm and information about the home’s history.

My tour of the home started with the display room and the kitchen, where a cast iron stove caught my eye. Lowe told me about the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society’s efforts in restoring the house. It wasn’t an easy task. One of the difficulties was getting the proper old brick, which they tracked down in Iowa.

We know who the Lincoln in the Lincoln-Manahan home was, but who was Manahan?

William Manahan was the Whiteside County Sheriff in 1856 when Lincoln visited. He was here to deliver a campaign speech in support of John C. Fremont for president. Originally, Lincoln was to have stayed with Robert Wilson, but Wilson’s wife had fallen off a horse and Manahan was asked if he’d help out. No bed was available for Lincoln, but a couch was used, with two chairs placed at each end to accommodate his height. The original couch is long gone, but a replica is right at home in the house.

The first part of the house was built in 1847, and it’s thought that its first use was as a store, due to the lack of evidence that it had a kitchen. Not too long afterward, an addition was made that included the kitchen.

The house has been restored to the time period of Lincoln’s visit; note the window glass as you tour. You can tell it’s old.

The tour includes the first floor only, which features a bedroom. One look at the stairs and it's easy to see why we’re not making our way up – they reminded me of the steep steps in castle towers. The upstairs has room for two bedrooms, but is used for storage.

On the grounds near the home is a newer building – the Lincoln Learning Center – where the Society has its meetings. The center, at 611 E. Third St., was built at the former site of C & E Glass. The Society bought it in 2013 and 4 years later, after the C&E Glass building was razed, the Lincoln Learning Center opened its doors. The learning center serves as a home base for the Junior Historian Program, and it’s also used for historical programs and as an events center for all ages.

Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society Museum

From the Lincoln-Manahan Home Museum, I continued my trip back in time with a visit to the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society Museum on the grounds of the Dillon Home Museum, at 1005 E. Third St. It’s in the home’s carriage house/barn, built in 1859. The home is a popular spot for for weddings, and I even crossed paths with a wedding party while I was there – I hope I managed to avoid being in any wedding photos!

At the museum, I was greeted by Emily, who familiarized me with the layout of the museum, and then I was free to wander on my own through its two floors of exhibits.

The museum houses many fascinating items, so set aside some time to thoroughly explore it. Not only that, but local history and genealogy can be researched here. I focused on the items that caught my eye as I took my time to check out the exhibits. One of them was a shoe button machine used by four generations of one family, and a steam car engine from the first car built in Sterling, by Myron Detrick.

I also stopped for some time to study the remarkable display honoring females from the past. Among them were Emily Bushnell-Henry, who was Sterling’s postmaster in 1865, and Kate Stoddard, who in 1909 was the first assistant principal at the high school. More are listed, so stop in and meet them.

My heart beat faster when I came to items from Prince Castle, which used to have a location in downtown Sterling. I remember many happy visits to this early fast-food restaurant, housed in a distinctive and compact castle-like building, where I could get a square scoop of square ice cream and tasty hamburger. Starting to feel hungry, I quickly moved on to learn about the Emerson Quarry, which opened in January 1855.

Upstairs, following the white arrows, I found the Pioneer Room to be cozy, and toured among the display cases in the main portion.

I marveled at the information on the Eureka chair made by Eureka Manufacturing Co. in Rock Falls, which could provide customers with a choice of 20 different styles. I continued my journey even further back in time, learning that the first known residents of the area were the Mound Builders.

Items from Wahl Clipper, a door from Sterling Public Hospital, and a display of levels all contributed to an instructive and pleasant visit.

So, if you think there’s not much history in your hometown, think again. Where else can you follow in the footsteps of a president and a Prince?

IF YOU GO

What: Lincoln-Manahan Home Museum

Where: 607 E. Third St., Sterling

When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday April 1 through Nov. 1

What: Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society Museum

Where: 1005 E. Third St., Sterling

When: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Friday

Cost for both: Free, but donations are welcome

Distance for both: About 13 miles from Dixon

Accessibility: Home, tour is first floor only; SRFHS Museum accessible to first floor only, stairs to second floor

Information for both: 815-622-6215 or srfhs.com