The Ratcliff Inn

The Ratcliff Inn was built in 1828 and is located in Carmi, Illinois. Carmi is the town I was originally born in and is only 13 miles from the town I live in now. An interesting bit of history about the place is that Abraham Lincoln, while he was campaigning in 1840 for William Henry Harrison, spoke here and then spent the night. And right around the time he spoke here, he also attended a dance given in his honor about 30 miles down the road at the Old Slave House. Back then, it was known as Hickory Hill Plantation and at the gathering that night, Abe danced with my Great-Great Grandmother.