Lake City in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Abraham Lincoln in Lake City, PA (Girard Station)

Photographed by Nathan Koble

1. Abraham Lincoln in Lake City, PA (Girard Station) Marker

Inscription. On February 16, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln's inaugural train journey from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, DC, stopped at Girard Station in present-day Lake City. According to Henry Villard's dispatch recorded in "Lincoln on the Eve of '61": The presidential party left Cleveland at nine A.M. today. ...At Girard several baskets of splendid fruit were presented to the Presidential family. No little sensation was produced at this point by the unexpected appearance on the train of Horace Greeley, equipped with a valise and his well-known red and blue blanket. He was at once conducted into the car of the President-elect, who came forward to greet him."

Erected 2025.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stops series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1861.

Location. 42° 0.874′ N, 80° 20.656′ W. Marker is in Lake City, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is on Rice Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 18) west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Located at the Lake City town gazebo, 100 yards west of the former train station (building

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still there). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City PA 16423, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and in Greater Erie. It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: About This Stone Pillar (approx. 1.7 miles away); Erie County Soldiers' Monument (approx. 1.7 miles away); Charlotte Elizabeth Battles (approx. 1.7 miles away); Circus History (approx. 1.7 miles away); Old State Line (approx. 3.3 miles away); Erie Extension Canal (approx. 4.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.4 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 8.2 miles away).

Regarding Abraham Lincoln in Lake City, PA (Girard Station). A children's book was written to in conjunction with the unveiling of the marker. The title is "When Abraham Lincoln Visited Girard." The intended audience is local schoolchildren.

Unveiling of Abraham Lincoln in Lake City, PA (Girard Station) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nathan Koble, June 14, 2025

2. Unveiling of Abraham Lincoln in Lake City, PA (Girard Station) Marker

Photo taken after the official unveiling of the "Abraham Lincoln in Lake City" marker. Photo includes Pennsylvania State Representatives Parke Wentling and Jake Banta, as well as Lake City Mayor Andrew Graves.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2025, by Nathan Koble of Girard, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 213 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 7, 2025, by Nathan Koble of Girard, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on December 9, 2025, by Nathan Koble of Girard, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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