Extending west from Lake Michigan to Park Avenue and south from Eighth Street to DeKoven Avenue, Racine's Southside Historic District contains one of Wisconsin's highest concentrations of grand historic houses. Dating from 1842 to 1924, the 42-block district displays a variety of Greek Revival, Victorian period, and Prairie School architectural styles, including designs by early pioneer-architect Lucas Bradley and by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many of Racine's early leaders and industrialists built their homes here. The Southside Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Designated as public space as early as 1842, Racine's West Park on College Street and East Park on Main Street remain as they were originally platted and are part of the Souths ide Historic District. Notable in East Park is a granite statue of President and Mrs. Lincoln by Chicago sculptor Frederick C. Hibbard. In 1867, Mary Todd Lincoln visited Racine and walked often in East Park, sometimes with her son Tad. Dedicated in 1943, the statue is rare for memorializing both the president and his wife.

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