Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Oak Ridge Cemetery's Original Entrance
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 27, 2020
1. Oak Ridge Cemetery's Original Entrance Marker
Inscription.
Oak Ridge Cemetery's Original Entrance. . Following a trend by many cities to relocate their cemeteries beyond the city limits to avoid encroachment, the City of Springfield in May of 1856 passed an ordinance to create Oak Ridge Cemetery. Situated two miles north of the Capitol building, the cemetery was originally located on just over twenty-eight acres that contained rolling hills and was dotted with clusters of various species of oak trees which offered an idyllic setting. This gate, situated in a narrow valley dividing the property that emphasized the grandeur of its surroundings, remained a solemn witness not only to the scores of funerals it would host but also its most famous funeral: that of President Abraham Lincoln on May 4th, 1865. In 1899, the entrance to Oak Ridge was reoriented from the east to the south to take advantage of the newly paved Monument Avenue, and this entrance would be relegated to pedestrian traffic only. In 2014, this replica of the original archway and main gate were installed, officially reopening this entrance.
Following a trend by many cities to relocate their cemeteries beyond the city limits to avoid encroachment, the City of Springfield in May of 1856 passed an ordinance to create Oak Ridge Cemetery. Situated two miles north of the Capitol building, the cemetery was originally located on just over twenty-eight acres that contained rolling hills and was dotted with clusters of various species of oak trees which offered an idyllic setting. This gate, situated in a narrow valley dividing the property that emphasized the grandeur of its surroundings, remained a solemn witness not only to the scores of funerals it would host but also its most famous funeral: that of President Abraham Lincoln on May 4th, 1865. In 1899, the entrance to Oak Ridge was reoriented from the east to the south to take advantage of the newly paved Monument Avenue, and this entrance would be relegated to pedestrian traffic only. In 2014, this replica of the original archway and main gate were installed, officially reopening this entrance.
49.46′ N, 89° 39.235′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. Marker can be reached from Monument Avenue. It can be accessed from North 1st Street (across from Lincoln Park), depending on if the gate is open to the pathway in the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1441 Monument Avenue, Springfield IL 62702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Marker is outside the gate. This was taken from inside the cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
