Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lincoln Memorial Cemetery

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

1. Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Marker

Inscription. From before the Civil War to the end of the Jim Crow era in the 1960s, African-Americans were buried only in designated sections of Springfield's public cemeteries that were fenced off to separate the graves of African-Americans from the other graves. As an alternative to such segregation, Lincoln Memorial Cemetery was established in 1919. It was designed to be a beautiful, peaceful, and dignified resting place for Black residents of Springfield.

Many gravestones in the cemetery mark the burial place of some of Springfield's oldest African-American families. Birth dates on some gravestones go back to before the Civil War. Many veterans of WWI, WWII, and the Korean War are buried in the cemetery. Private Myrl Billings is one of those veterans. Billings was a member of the 369th Infantry Division, known as “the Harlem Hellfighters.” He was awarded two Croix de Guerre medals by the French for his brave actions during WWI.

In 2009, the last private owner of the cemetery's land deeded the property to the newly-formed Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Board. Since then, dedicated volunteers have worked countless hours

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to remove fallen trees, pull weeds, plant and mow grass, and restore the natural beauty of this special place.

Today, Lincoln Cemetery is a lovely place that commemorates an important aspect of the history of African-Americans in Springfield. As former City Councilman Denny Whayne remarked, “The Lincoln Memorial Cemetery is a sign of identity and heritage for our community.”

Erected by Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 37° 12.65′ N, 93° 15.135′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Missouri, in Greene County. It is at the intersection of East Chestnut Expressway and North Barnes Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Chestnut Expressway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2223 E Chestnut Expressway, Springfield MO 65802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

2. Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Marker

America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gettysburg Address (a few steps from this marker); Booth-Dickey House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Steak 'n Shake, Springfield, Missouri (approx. 1.3 miles away); First Church In Greene County (approx. 1½ miles away); Silver Springs Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Battle of Springfield (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lincoln School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Kentwood Hall Renovation (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Also see . . . Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Find a Grave entry on the burial ground. (Submitted on July 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Lincoln Memorial Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

3. Lincoln Memorial Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.