Groveland Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Stephen A. Douglas: Douglas and Lincoln

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021

1. Stephen A. Douglas: Douglas and Lincoln Marker

Inscription. Illinois's 1858 contest for United States senator pitted nationally-renowned Democrat Stephen A. Douglas against the relatively unknown Republican, Abraham Lincoln. The candidates met in seven joint debates, clashing on the issue of allowing slavery into new territories. Douglas argued that slavery expansion was a political question to be decided by voters at the local level, while Lincoln viewed it as a moral question to be settled by the national government. Douglas won a third Senate term, but his position that localities could exclude slavery caused great anger in the South. When, in 1860, Douglas and Lincoln battled for the presidency, Douglas's position on local control of slavery cost him support in the South and split the Democratic party, helping to elect Lincoln president.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Chicago's Surviving Pre-Fire Structures series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 41° 49.89′ N, 87° 36.505′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It

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is in Groveland Park. It can be reached from East 35th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 739 East 35th Street, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stephen A. Douglas: The Chicago Years (here, next to this marker); Stephen A. Douglas: The Douglas Tomb (a few steps from this marker); Stephen Arnold Douglas (a few steps from this marker); Stephen A. Douglas Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Migration Centennial, 1916-2016 (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Douglas (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ida B. Wells-Barnett (approx. 0.3 miles away); Supreme Life Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Stephen A. Douglas: Douglas and Lincoln Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021

2. Stephen A. Douglas: Douglas and Lincoln Marker - wide view

The subject marker is the middle of the three markers visible on the right side of the path.

of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker is located at the Douglas Tomb State Historic Site, along the right side of the path leading from the street to the monument.

Also see . . . The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (National Park Service).

"The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of formal political debates between the challenger, Abraham Lincoln, and the incumbent, Stephen A. Douglas, in a campaign for one of Illinois' two United States Senate seats. Although Lincoln lost the election, these debates launched him into national prominence which eventually led to his election as President of the United States."

(Submitted on January 6, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 6, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.