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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes) |
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Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices
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By Angel Shaffer, January 6, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices Marker | | |
Inscription. Abraham Lincoln prepared and wrote his first inaugural address as President of the United States, in the third story of this building in the month of January, 1861.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Markers with Artwork marker series.
Location. 39° 48.029′ N, 89° 38.886′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of E Adams Street and South 6th Street, on the left when traveling north. Click for map. The Law Offices occupy a building on the southwest corner of E Adams Street and 6th on a plaza closed to traffic. The marker is on the front of the building facing the Old State Capitol to the north. Marker is in this post office area: Springfield IL 62701, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln's Springfield (here, next to this marker); In Their Springfield Prime (a few steps from this marker); Streetscape 1859 (a few steps from this marker); The Lincoln Boys in 1854 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices (a few steps from this marker); Old State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bath & Barber Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); C. M. & S. Smith Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Click for a list of all markers in Springfield.| | | | 
By Angie Shaffer, January 6, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Front of Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices | | Photo is taken facing south. Marker is to the right. | | |
Also see . . . Illinois Historic Preservation Agency entry for the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices. In 1985, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices became a state-owned historic site managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA). The IHPA has since restored it to resemble operations in the 1840s. (Submitted on January 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Additional comments.
1. The Lincoln Speech
In an effort to avoid the crush of people giving their last minute business and farewell messages Lincoln hid away in a third floor dusty store room in the building next door to his law office. A brother in law, C. M. Smith, had operated a dry-goods store on the bottom floor.
To prepare for the speech Lincoln took only four items as sources: Copy of the “United States Constitution”, Henry Clay’s “1850 Compromise Speech”, Andrew Jackson’s “Proclamation Against Nullification”, and Webster’s “Reply to Hayne”.
Upon completion Lincoln’s friend William H. Bailhache, co-owners of the “Illinois State Journal” and a type setter locked themselves in one week end and printed twenty copies, then immediately broke up the set type.
Lincoln locked the speech copies and other papers in | | | | 
By Angie Shaffer, January 6, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices | | Photo is taken from the northeast corner. | | |
a black oilcloth handbag. In starting the trip from Springfield to Washington, D. C. Lincoln gave the bag to his son Robert with instructions to keep it safe.
At the “Bates House” hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana Lincoln was needing the speech to review with Senator Orville Browning. Looking for Robert it was discovered that Robert had gone out with the Young Republicans of the Indianapolis area for entertainment. Directions were given to find Robert.
After approximately an hour Robert appeared all out of breath and was asked where is the black bag entrusted to him. Robert states giving it to the “Bates House” hotel clerk who put it behind the counter with all the other luggage in the lobby.
Lincoln quickly bounded down the stairs, leaped over the counter, and found the bag and the speech safe and sound in the still locked bag. — Submitted May 7, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. |
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By Angie Shaffer, January 9, 2008 | |
| | | 4. Statues of Lincoln Family | | Statues are located near the north entrance of the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices on the Old Capitol Plaza mall. The statues are encircled by an excerpt from Lincoln's farewell speech engraved on the plaza. | | |
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By Angie Shaffer, January 9, 2008 | |
| | | 5. The Lincoln Family statutes | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on January 7, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,486 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 4. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 5. submitted on January 12, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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