Category Archives: Lincoln Tomb

Oliver R. Barrett, Lincoln collector

Posted on December 18, 2024 by editor

Over a lifetime, starting at age 13, Oliver Barrett amassed an immense collection of documents, relics and source materials related to Abraham Lincoln. When Barrett died in 1950, his heirs offered his entire archive to the Illinois State Historical Library … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Histories, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Museums, Prominent figures, State government | Leave a comment

U.S. Grant speech at Lincoln Tomb dedication, 1874

Posted on June 23, 2024 by editor

President Ulysses Grant was not the main speaker when Abraham Lincoln’s tomb was dedicated on Oct. 15, 1874. Grant was asked to deliver the official dedication address, but declined. He did, however, did give a short speech at the ceremony, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Museums, Presidents, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Hammerslough/Rosenwald family, clothiers

Posted on January 22, 2024 by editor

The Capitol Clothing House opened in Springfield in 1856 with the slogan “Low Prices and Good Goods.” Aside from providing inexpensive, ready-to-wear clothes to pre-Civil War Springfield, the Capitol Clothing House is the reason Springfield can boast that it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Historic Sites, Jewish, Lincoln Home, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

Lincoln Tomb streetcar line (1880)

Posted on July 23, 2022 by editor

The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is a mile-and-a-half from downtown Springfield. That distance isn’t a problem in the 21st century, but it was a considerable obstacle when the tomb was new 150 years earlier. Distance was a big reason … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Germans, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Prominent figures, Transportation, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Lincoln Tomb statuary (added 1931)

Posted on July 12, 2022 by editor

The statuettes inside the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site were supposed to be urns. And the Gutzon Borglum bust just outside the tomb – the one people rub the nose of – was supposed to be indoors. The interior of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Museums, National Register, Presidents, Prominent figures, State government, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Springfield in 1947 (Saturday Evening Post)

Posted on November 30, 2020 by editor

When Elise Morrow critiqued Springfield for the Saturday Evening Post in 1947, local leaders reacted with wounded pride, insults and pompous denial. Among their many complaints was Morrow’s passing reference to the city’s tolerance for gambling and prostitution. “Springfield’s vice … Continue reading →

Posted in Histories, Journalism, Lincoln Tomb, Media, Springfield, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

World War I memorial, First Street and North Grand Avenue (updated)

Posted on October 7, 2017 by editor

Update note: Sangamon County’s memorial to those who died in World War I was moved from First Street and North Grand Avenue to the war memorials section of Oak Ridge Cemetery in September 2019. Wording was added honoring all Illinoisans … Continue reading →

Posted in Lincoln Tomb, Markers, Military, Prominent figures, Women | 2 Comments

Lincoln Tomb custodian’s home

Posted on May 10, 2015 by editor

A contract to build a home for the custodian of the Lincoln Tomb was awarded to Col. James Culver’s contracting company in August 1895. The cost was $2,500, and the design was very specific. The Illinois State Journal spelled it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb | Leave a comment

Lincoln Tomb custodians, 1874-1975

Posted on May 8, 2015 by editor

Five men served as custodians of the Lincoln Tomb in the century from 1874, when the still-incomplete tomb was dedicated, and 1975, when tomb management was reorganized. They were: *John Carroll Power (1819-94), a Kentucky native and failed farmer, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Histories, Lincoln Tomb, Museums, Presidents, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Two days in May: The funeral of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on April 22, 2015 by editor

As the funeral train carrying the coffin of President Abraham Lincoln pulled into Springfield’s Chicago & Alton station the morning of May 3, 1865, dozens of special trains had already disgorged visitors from all points of the compass. Thousands more … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Historic Sites, John T. Stuart, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Railroads | 2 Comments