Yes those were the sites of the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, notably not in Chicago where Stephen Douglas did a great deal of his dealing, and devised the clever system to develop the Illinois Central Railroad (which was subsequently the method used to develop most every other public utility).
I have rightly been identified as "one of the worst photographers in Chicago, given the importance of your photographs" For this, I offer no apologies, yet leave the door open to more talented and patient photographers. I did hold still long enough to get a good shot or two of the Douglas Memorial, designed by Leonard Volk, right across the street from St. Joe Carondelet. In Chicago style, Volk was a cousin of Douglas wife, and happily also a very good designer.
The site was locked up tighter than a Confederate prison camp, by the way, despite the signage claiming it was open, and the rather hopeless effort at snow removal in the park-like area surrounding the the memorial.
