Berwyn in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor
Photographed By Sean Flynn
1. Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor Marker
the friendly neighbor
"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships"
A. Lincoln
Dedicated July 4, 1959 to the memory of our great namesake in the 150th year of his birth Lincoln Federal Savings and Loan Association of Berwyn
Erected 1959 by Lincoln Federal Savings and Loan Association of Berwyn.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1959.
Location. 41° 51.473′ N, 87° 47.113′ W. Marker is in Berwyn, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is at the intersection of 16th Street and Elmwood Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 16th Street. This statue to Lincoln is east of the 16th Street entrance to Lincoln Middle School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6432 16th Street, Berwyn IL 60402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sokol Tabor War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Mary of Celle Parish War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Father Robert Mastny
this page online
More about this marker. The statue, by Avard T. Fairbanks, depicts Abraham Lincoln standing with a boy and a girl; a dog sits on the boy's right side.
Regarding Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor. The statue was originally located in front of the Lincoln Federal Savings and Loan Association, at the corner of Cermak Road, Wesley Avenue and Riverside Drive in Berwyn. After the bank's name and owners changed in the 1990s, the bank donated the statue to Berwyn's Lincoln Middle School, about three-quarters of a mile north, and it was rededicated at its current location in 1997.
The statue was designed by Avard T. Fairbanks, who made a dozen Lincoln-themed sculptures in his career, including a bust of Lincoln on permanent display at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Sean Flynn, July 15, 2023
2. Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor dedication tablet
1. Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor (Sculpting Lincoln, Part 7).
Excerpt:
"Fairbanks explained, 'In the statue, Lincoln places his great hand upon the shoulder of youth as if on every young boy in our country, in every walk of life, and in every activity. Thus, symbolized in bronze, his guiding hand inspires every boy to greatness in the field he will choose for the future. The young lady holds onto the arm of Lincoln as she looks up to him. There must be someone to guide our people in times of stress and dissension. Such is her expression of confidence in this great man. She sees in this stalwart person the strength of character needed. Her admiration is that of a nation.'"(Submitted on July 15, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Sculptural Commemorations of Abraham Lincoln by Avard T. Fairbanks.
Excerpt:
"It took two years to complete the project. The unveiling ceremony was held July 4, 1959, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Paul H. Douglas, U.S. senator from Illinois, delivered the dedicatory speech. A host of other dignitaries participated."(Submitted on July 15, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed By Sean Flynn, July 15, 2023
3. Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor and Lincoln Middle School
Photographed By Sean Flynn, July 15, 2023
4. Artist Avard Fairbanks
Sculptor Avard T. Fairbanks completed a dozen Lincoln-themed sculptures in his career, including this one completed for a bank in Berwyn, Illinois. The project took two years to complete and was dedicated in 1959.
Photographed By Sean Flynn, July 17, 2023
5. Original location of Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor statue
The Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor statue was originally located in front of the Lincoln Savings and Loan at 6655 Cermak in Berwyn. The building is still standing and is now home to a BMO Harris bank branch.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 288 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 15, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on July 17, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
