Near Elwood in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Abraham Lincoln Founding President
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020
1. Abraham Lincoln Founding President Marker
National Cemeteries were first developed in the United States during the Civil War. Due to mounting war casualties, on July 17, 1862, Congress empowered President Abraham Lincoln, "to purchase cemetery grounds and cause them to be securely enclosed, to be used as a national cemetery for the soldiers who shall die in the service of the country." This small but significant new presidential power was given in "An act to define the pay and emolument of certain officers of the Army, & for other purposes," also called an omnibus act. This was the first U.S. legislation to state and solidify the concept of a national cemetery. The Dedication of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (ALNC) on October 3, 1999 marked the first National Cemetery named after a President. Dedicated in September of 2016, this is the First Statue of a President to be placed in a National Cemetery. This life-size statue and memorial bench were provided by the ALNC Support Committee with donations from Veterans & their families. Service Organizations, Businesses, Student Groups, and Citizens of a Grateful Nation. The statue and bench were designed
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020
2. Abraham Lincoln Founding President Marker
Marker is to the left of the statue
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the National Cemeteries series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 17, 1862.
Location. 41° 23.231′ N, 88° 7.743′ W. Marker is near Elwood, Illinois, in Will County. Marker can be reached from George Washington Avenue west of Abraham Lincoln Boulevard. Marker is located on the grounds of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: George Washington Ave, Elwood IL 60421, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (here, next to this marker); LGBT Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elwood Arsenal (approx. 1.6 miles away); Wilmington, Illinois (approx. 5.6 miles away); McDonough Street Bridge (approx. 9.2 miles away); The Diamond Mine Disaster (approx. 9.3 miles away); Natividad Guiterrez (approx. 9.6 miles away); Edwin Porter's Brewery (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elwood.
Also see . . .
1. . (Submitted on September 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery . From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration's website. (Submitted on September 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
