Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia

02/12/2025

Happy birthday, Abe Lincoln! 🎩🎂

There’s no better way to celebrate our favorite president from Illinois than with some locally designed Abe-themed swag.

To snag one of these nifty Macombopoly and Abe Lincoln t-shirts for yourself or a Lincoln-lover in your life, visit our online shop at ➡️

https://www.visitforgottonia.com/shop-forgottonia-merchandise/ or shop in person at Macomb’s Community Market store.

02/10/2025

As we celebrate , we reflect on the work of several Macomb residents who have paved the way and left their legacy on Macomb and beyond.

Rev. Dr. Cordy Tindell “C. T.” Vivian (1924-2020): This Macomb High School and WIU grad organized sit-ins, marches, and Freedom Rides alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. He also helped establish several civil rights organizations and provided civil rights counsel to U.S. Presidents. His legacy is preserved here in Macomb with a mural at 135 N Randolph St.

Bill Thorpe (1933-2019): After graduating from Macomb High School and WIU and serving in the Korean War, Thorpe became the first Black police officer in Macomb and McDonough County. His commitment to fairness and justice for all earned him promotions to sergeant and interim lieutenant during his 23-year career. His legacy is being celebrated with the creation of the William H. Memorial Park in Macomb.

James B. Fields (1850-1896): Born a slave in Missouri, Fields escaped with his family to Illinois and eventually settled in Macomb. He trained to be a barber and opened his own shop with friend William H. Ball, making the two entrepreneurs Macomb’s first Black business owners. Fields also studied theology and formed a church for Blacks in Macomb.

“Big” Al Sears (1910-1990): Macomb native “Big" Al Sears was a jazz saxophonist and rock 'n' roll progenitor who collaborated with legends like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. Sears also broke barriers as an African American high-level executive at ABC-Paramount Records and was an early civil rights activist. You can find a painting of Al and his trusty saxophone within the mural at The Old Dairy.

02/07/2025

If you’re craving a one-of-a-kind sandwich experience, check out our neighbors down the road at Adair Café for their Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich.

For the uninitiated, this West Central Illinois delicacy features a comically large hand-pounded, crispy breaded, deep-fried pork tenderloin with mustard, pickles, onion, and bun. Not quite ready to take one of those on? Adair also serves up plenty of authentic home-cooked specials and farmer’s breakfasts.

For more stops on our Tenderloin Trail, check out our Wayward app itinerary 👉

https://app.wayward.travel/experience/unforgettable-forgottonia-tenderloin-trail

Pursuing Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

Walk off your pork tenderloin meal in Macomb with a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square! 🎲

The [breaded pork tenderloin sandwich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_tenderloin_sandwich) is a Midwest favorite and Unforgettable Forgottonia serves up a trail of the tastiest you can find anywhe...

02/05/2025

🏃‍➡️ Run faster — there’s pino noir at the end!

No, really — there is! 🍷 Meet at The Wine Sellers on Wednesday evenings at 6pm for an all-pace group run/walk. Traverse any distance and then meet back at TWS to enjoy a beverage with your running friends.

Let's get outside and run!

And why not make it competitive with a mid- or post-run game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square? 💰🎩

02/03/2025

Looking for some indoor activities to turn up the heat? 🔥 Join an action-packed afternoon at WIU with a Western Illinois Men's Basketball or Western Illinois Women's Basketball game!

Visit https://goleathernecks.com/ for the schedule and tickets. 🏀

🎲 While you’re in town, grab a meal in Downtown Macomb and play a game of Macombopoly in our Courthouse Square. If you’re a true competition ju**ie, this part of your day might even be more competitive than basketball!

01/31/2025

Congratulations — you’ve officially made it through January. That’s a reason to celebrate, right? Grab some friends and enjoy a night out at one of our favorite local bars while counting down the months ‘til spring:

The Cafe: “Where friendship is strong, and the drinks are stronger!” And if you’re lucky, catch some live music — check their page for upcoming events.

Sports Corner at 124: THE place to catch the game. Whichever game it is. Go sports!!!

The Wine Sellers: For when you’re feeling classy. Enjoy their huge selection of fine wine, craft beer, and classic cocktails. Remember, pinkie up!

Jackson Street Pub: All your favorite pub food and all your favorite drinks, all in one place. Cheers to that!

Los Charros of Macomb: Is it a margarita kind of night? If so, this is the place to be. Plus, all the south-of-the-border eats you can imagine!

🎲 Post libations, you can shuffle around Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square and play a game of New Year’s Macombopoly!

01/30/2025

Ever feel like you’re just stuck spinning your wheels?

Maybe it’s time to try a new wheel — a pottery wheel, that is. 🤪

Try out Macomb Park District’s 6-week pottery class to learn the basics of wheel throwing, surface decoration, and glazing techniques. Learn a new skill, AND get some new bowls while you’re at it!

Classes start Thursday 2/6 and run weekly 5:30-7:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/mpdregister/ or call 309-833-4562.

🎲 While you’re downtown, finish off the evening with a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/28/2025

We’d start this post off with a bird pun, but it might fly over your head. 🦅

Any-hoot… Join Prairie Land Conservancy on Feb. 1 for another Brunch & Beverages Bus Tour — this time a tour of Aldo Leopold’s childhood home with the Leopold Landscape Alliance, followed by bald eagle viewing along the Mississippi River! The group will also stop for lunch at The Som and finish up with drinks at Green Frog Distillery.

Purchase tickets for $75 https://www.prairielandconservancy.org/events.html

PLUS! College students can receive a comped ticket by emailing [email protected]

When you return to Macomb, finish the day with a game of Macombopoly in our Downtown Courthouse Square. 🎲 Rumor has it that birders make some pretty competitive board game players!

01/28/2025

We’re bowls deep in soup season, folks. 🍜So it’s the perfect time to try some authentic Pho — a traditional Vietnamese soup with rice noodles, herbs, and meat — at Macomb’s first and only Vietnamese restaurant, Pho hang. And in case you were wondering, it’s pronounced “fuh.” (Huh! 🤔)

If you’re not a soup dude, fear not! Try the Com Soun (grilled pork chop with egg and rice), Con Ga (grilled chicken), egg rolls, and so much more. Are you hungry yet??

Afterwards, you’ll be all warmed up and ready to head down to Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square to play a game of Macombopoly!

01/26/2025

Thanks again, History Mystery Man!!

The awesome and quite historic train station in Macomb, Illinois is like walking back in time. And that's exactly the feeling I got when I walked into the be...

01/24/2025

❄️🌡️ It’s freezing cold, the world is gray, and everything’s dead outside. And maybe you’re a little dead INside, too. Welcome to Peak Winter, the least wonderful time of the year.™️

If escaping to Florida isn’t an option, warming up in a cozy coffee shop might be the next best thing. Luckily, we’ve got a few to choose from:

☕️ Sullivan Taylor Coffee House: Cozy up with a mug of coffee and some warm pastries in this charming 125-year-old building.

☕️ Cole Street Coffee House: Take a quick trip down the road to Bushnell for some morning Joe, homemade coffee cakes, and build-your-own breakfast sandwiches!

☕️ Bold Brew House: The cutest lil’ coffee shop you’ve ever seen. Literally — it’s so tiny! That’s because it’s McDonough County‘s only drive-thru boutique coffee house! Of course, you can always come on foot and take your freshly-brewed coffee and tea to go. Then, coffee in hand, mosey on down to Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square for a game of Macombopoly! 🎲

01/22/2025

Last week, we told you about how Lizzie Magie — Macomb’s inventor of Monopoly — made a brief movie appearance. And now, she’s in a museum!

🖼️ Lizzie’s portrait is one of more than 200 by Anita Kunz in her series “Original Sisters,” which commemorates history-making women. Can you find her in this collage of portraits? Swipe for the reveal!

If you can’t visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, you can purchase the book “Original Sisters,” or learn more about Kunz’s project in this article: https://valleyadvocate.com/2024/12/05/a-celebration-of-history-making-women-the-rockwell-museum-exhibits-over-200-of-anita-kunzs-portraits-in-original-sisters/

🎲 You can pay homage to Lizzie Magie with a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/20/2025

Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all those who worked tirelessly alongside him to advance the Civil Rights movement. In particular, we recognize Macomb’s own Rev. Dr. Cordy Tindell “C. T.” Vivian, a close friend of Dr. King who helped organize sit-ins, marches, and Freedom Rides across the country. Vivian’s legacy is preserved in Macomb with a beautiful 75-foot mural at 135 N Randolph St., which depicts some of the highlights of his illustrious life.

This isn’t Macomb’s only mural — check out this trip itinerary from Wayward for some more murals around town: https://app.wayward.travel/experience/unforgettable-forgottonia-mural-tour

01/17/2025

Thanks to the History Mystery Man for visiting Downtown Macomb and Unforgettable Forgottonia!

Send a message to learn more

01/17/2025

Ehem… 🎤 Allow us to re-introduce the brand new 2 Restaurant, formerly Chubby's Smoke & Steakhouse! They’re back with a refreshed menu and new “build-your-own” items, plus some old favorites. Pick your base, protein, toppers, and sauce for endless combinations of deliciousness. Or stop by for weekly lunch specials, like Taco Tuesdays (or course) and Wings on Fridays.

Come say hello! 👋

And while you’re in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square, why not play a game of Macombopoly after lunch!

01/15/2025

What do Hugh Grant and Lizzie Magie have in common?

🍿🎥 Lizzie Magie has hit the big screen — alongside none other than Hugh Grant!

If you saw the thriller Heretic this winter (now streaming!), you know that Hugh’s character uses Lizzie’s invention of The Landlord’s Game and its evolution to modern-day Monopoly to help explain one of the film’s central tenets. We won’t spoil it for you, but it’s equal parts terrifying, thought-provoking, and well worth a watch!

🎲 You can pay homage to Lizzie Magie with a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/10/2025

What’s for dinner tonight? If the lack of answer leaves you hearing crickets… 🦗🦗 it might be time for a Friday night out — or some takeout if you’re already in your PJ’s. Here are some of our favorites:

🐥 Chick's on the Square: Home of the chicken lips! Sweet, spicy, or smoky — get your hot-lip pizza, lip nachos, lip fries, burgers, pastas, and more.

🍝 The Grill on Market Street: Family favorites, spaghetti dinners, pizzas, and the legendary deep fried pork tenderloin and horseshoe sandwiches.

🍗 Hometown Cafe: Find all your favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals, including fried chicken on Thursdays, catfish strips on Fridays, and pasta on Saturdays.

🍳 Highway Family Restaurant: Breakfast all day! Plus the other two time-appropriate meals. But really, who doesn’t want breakfast for dinner.

🎲 After the feast, head outside to play a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/06/2025

Our gal Lizzie Magie made it onto Woman's World Magazine’s list of “8 Brilliant Inventions by Women That Changed Everyday Life!” You’ve probably got some of them in your home right now, like the dishwasher, flat-bottom paper bags, cotton sewing thread, and — if you’re lucky — the hand-cranked ice cream maker.

You probably don’t have a life raft, self-feeding tube, or laser eye surgery tools at home, but these also made the list — learn more in the full article: https://www.womansworld.com/life/life-changing-inventions-from-women-inventors

🎲 Pay homage to Lizzie by playing a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!