Lincoln in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lincoln's Lincoln
Town Christening Site
— "Looking for Lincoln" —
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008
1. Full View - - Lincoln's Lincoln Marker
On August 27, 1853 the first sale of lots in the new town of Lincoln took place near this spot. In attendance was Abraham Lincoln, in whose honor the town had been named. “Nothing with the name of Lincoln has ever amounted to much,” he had reportedly quipped in response.
Lincoln was nevertheless obliging when a promoter asked him on the day of the land sale to officially “christen the town.” Lincoln picked an appropriate melon and conducted a brief “christening ceremony.”
Thirteen year-old John S. Stevens was in attendance and later recalled the event:
“We were all seated on the several lumber piles. For myself I had selected the end of a projecting board which would spring nicely with my weight and near where Mr. Lincoln stood. He opened the melon with his pocket knife which just reached well through the rind, running all around, bumped the melon on the lumber, it opened nicely with all the core on one side. He cut this core, squeezed the water into a tincup saying,
‘Gentlemen, I am requested by the proprietors of the town site to christen it, I have selected the juice of a melon for that purpose, pouring it on the ground. Therefore, in your presence and hearing, I now christen
this page online
Pulling the wagon cover from the pile of melons, he took one half of the melon he had opened for christening, laid it on the board before me saying, ‘The youngest American on the ground shall feast with me on the christening melon.’ Picking up the other half he pointed to the pile and said ‘Gentlemen, help yourself.’”
Erected by Looking for Lincoln.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 40° 8.865′ N, 89° 21.816′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Illinois, in Logan County. Marker is at the intersection of North Chicago Street and Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north on North Chicago Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln IL 62656, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln, Illinois (here, next to this marker); Centennial Park (a few steps from this marker); The Lincoln House
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008
2. Closeup of Town Christening Site Photo
The original painting is by Lloyd Ostendorf. The original art work is possessed by the State Bank of Lincoln, 111 N. Sangamon Street in Lincoln, Illinois.
Also see . . .
1. Looking for Lincoln Video - on P.B.S. Follow Henry Louis Gates, Jr. "...from Illinois, to Gettysburg, to Washington, D. C., and face to face with people who live with Lincoln every day...". (Submitted on October 23, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. Looking for Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area website hommepage:
Many resources for tracking Lincoln through History and Illinois, for all ages. (Submitted on October 23, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008
3. Town Christening Site
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008
4. Closer View
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008
5. Marker & Melon
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008
6. A Slice of Life
Photographed By Larry Gertner
7. Travel with Lincoln
All the HMDB Lincoln Circuit Markers, and a few others, following Lincoln's travels while a member of the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District from 1847 - 1857.
Climb into Lincoln’s buggy and take a trip with Lincoln and his fellow lawyers on the job traveling Illinois as Circuit Lawyers. See all the Lincoln Circuit Markers (and a surprise or two), in the order of his travels while a member of the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District (of Illinois) during 1847-1857. Use the “First >>” button in the upper right to see these markers in sequence, starting from Springfield.
(Submitted on October 23, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Click for more information.
Climb into Lincoln’s buggy and take a trip with Lincoln and his fellow lawyers on the job traveling Illinois as Circuit Lawyers. See all the Lincoln Circuit Markers (and a surprise or two), in the order of his travels while a member of the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District (of Illinois) during 1847-1857. Use the “First >>” button in the upper right to see these markers in sequence, starting from Springfield.
(Submitted on October 23, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,403 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 7. submitted on June 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
