Brookston in White County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Brookston Depot
And Lincoln Funeral Train
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 4, 2024
1. The Brookston Depot Marker
The town of Brookston was founded in 1853 by Isaac Reynolds, Benjamin Gonzales, and Joel McFarland. Brookston was named after James Brooks, who served as President of the New Albany & Salem Railroad Company. The depot that stood across the railroad tracks to the right of this sign was built in 1898 by the railroad company. That building stood in the spot until around 1976, when it was taken down due to the condition and lack of need for the depot. This sign kiosk resembles the design of the original depot.
After President Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865, his body, and his son Willie's body, was taken by a funeral train car from Washington D.C., to Springfield, Illinois. This sad journey lasted 20 days because the train maintained speed between 5 and 10 miles per hour. The train left the capital on April 21, 1865, and arrived at the Indiana State House on April 30th. After leaving Indianapolis, the funeral train went through Brookston at approximately 4:15 AM on May 1st, on the way to Michigan City and then to Chicago.
Erected 2014 by Eagle Scout Project by Brenton St BSA Troop 126.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1865.
Location. 40° 36.154′ N, 86°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Vietnam Memorial Tree (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cairo Skywatch Tower (approx. 5.2 miles away); World War I Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); The Methodist Camp (approx. 6.7 miles away); The Battle of Tippecanoe (approx. 6.8 miles away); Potawatomi Trail of Death Route (approx. 6.8 miles away); Tippecanoe Battlefield Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away); Stricken Down in the Performance of Duty (approx. 6.8 miles away).
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 4, 2024
2. The Brookston Depot Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 4, 2024
3. Kious - Waugh Bank Park
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 419 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
