Central Business District in Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lincoln at Kalamazoo

Photographed by Al Barrera

1. Lincoln at Kalamazoo Marker

Inscription. On August 27, 1856, here in this park, Abraham Lincoln, then an obscure lawyer, spoke to a rally for John Frémont, the Republican presidential nominee. This was the only time that Lincoln addressed an audience in Michigan. The event was almost unnoticed in the press. Some Republicans felt the speaker was too conservative on the antislavery issue. Four years later Michigan's vote helped put Lincoln into the White House.

Erected 1957 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 42° 17.397′ N, 85° 35.208′ W. Marker is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in the Central Business District. It can be reached from the intersection of West South Street and South Park Street (Michigan Highway 331), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located at the southwest corner of Bronson Park. Touch for map.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in this post office area: Kalamazoo MI 49007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kirk Newman Sculpture (within shouting distance of this marker); First United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Kalamazoo Bicentennial Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First Women's Club in Michigan (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spanish War Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away); U.S.S Maine Memorial (about 400 feet away); Lincoln's August 1856 Speech in Kalamazoo (about 400 feet away); Kalamazoo Disabled Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalamazoo.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

2. Lincoln at Kalamazoo Marker

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

3. Lincoln at Kalamazoo Marker

Located at the southwest corner of Bronson Parker

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

4. Lincoln at Kalamazoo Marker

View to northeast towards plaza in Bronson Park

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 12, 2022

5. Lincoln at Kalamazoo Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,837 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 22, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 5. submitted on October 20, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Replacement text was approved Feb 2025. The want is for photos of the replacement marker using add-a-marker to place it on its own page. Then this page should be marked permanently removed and replaced • Can you help?