Lincoln’s Ghost Walk is the creation of Garret Moffett originally from Macomb, Illinois. Garret graduated from nursing school with an Associates Degree in Nursing. Working off and on as a nurse Garret spent several months at a time traveling Japan and Europe. Returning to the states he opened his own antique and gift store in Macomb and continued to work part-time as a nurse. Garret served as Vice-President of the Western Illinois Regional Museum in 2004. He was the Chairman of the Historical Task Force under the guise of the Community Quality of Life Advisory Committee 2004-06. He has also written and contributed to numerous local history articles and publications.

Remembering the awesome ghost walks he had taken all through Europe he began researching local ghost lore. In 2002, Garret set out to develop Macomb’s first ghost walk, which became known as Macomb’s Haunted Dead Walk and received several local awards. In 2005 Garret’s Haunted Dead Walk took the top honor in the state out of 55 other communities vying for the prestigious “Main Street Award for Historical Development.” After four years of walking tours in Macomb, Garret was ready for a new challenge.

With the opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library in Springfield, Illinois Garret’s attention turned towards Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield. Through his research of ghostly stories Garret recalled numerous tales about Lincoln’s visions, dreams, and ghostly tales of Lincoln posthumously wandering.

Garret approached the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) and the National Park Service (NPS) and pitched the idea of Lincoln's Ghost Walk, which was well received. Following the recommendations of the SCVB and NPS Garret had his script reviewed by local historians. Garret was the first to offer this new form of tourism business in Springfield and Lincoln’s Ghost Walk trial tours began in mid-August 2005 and operated through Halloween with encouraging success.

March 2006 began the first full season of Lincoln’s Ghost Walk offering the SCVB endorsed tour through October. The tour has been well received and supported by local businesses, local government, and the historic sites. It has been a very popular tour exceeding 100 participants on some nights. The average group size in peak season is about 30-60 each night.

In August 2006 Garret launched his second tour, this one commemorating the infamous 1908 Race Riot in Springfield. Entire neighborhoods were left in smoldering ruins, men were shot and killed, hundreds wounded, and other men were lynched in the streets. As tragic as this riot was, it did serve as the catalyst for the formation of the NAACP. This walking tour commemorates the goodness that came from it.

In April 2007, Garret will launch the 3rd tour of Springfield Walks titled "Mr. Lincoln’s Springfield." This tour will feature anecdotal and amusing stories about Lincoln the citizen before he was president.

With the addition of walking tours it became necessary for Garret to restructure the business. Starting in November 2006 the walking tour business will become known as "Springfield Walks".

Future walking tours and special events are in the works.

“Welcome to Springfield Walks my friends, I hope you will join me for a tour like no other in the entire country, and experience Lincoln’s Springfield like you never have!”
Garret Moffett, Proprietor.

© 2008 www.SpringfieldWalks.com
lincolnsghostwalk@yahoo.com

Springfield Illinois Web Design: Webovator