Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Laughing Lincoln

December 2, 2018

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

1. Laughing Lincoln Marker

Inscription. Abraham Lincoln was 30 years old in 1839, Storytelling and humor defined Lincoln's reputation as he grew from chopping wood, storekeeping and "riding" the Eighth Circuit, to leading a divided nation. He and Joe Naper, our city's founder, served in Illinois State Legislature together.

In that year Lincoln and Naper voted to relocate the State Capital to Springfield and to carve DuPage County out of Cook County. The first courthouse was located here in Central Park. Naperville was the county seat until 1868 when it was moved to Wheaton after a county referendum. In 1875, the county board deeded the 3.82 acres to Naperville "to be used as and for a public park".

The document under Lincoln's hand represents this legal transfer of property. City Councilman and lifelong resident, Don Wehrli, a colorful promoter of Naperville and original "Trolley Meister," grew up in the historic Pre-Emption House. It was built in 1834 and became embedded with the courthouse as early city landmarks. Wehrli was the champion of Central Park retaining its original size as Naperville grew and the downtown nipped its boundaries. Vocal and everpresent,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

he rallied citizens to oppose any plans that might diminish the "public park" so that it remains to this day close to its original lot lines.

David Alan Clark, Artist/Sculptor

Erected 2018.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 41° 46.463′ N, 88° 8.784′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Court Place south of Benton Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is near the Laughing Lincoln statue in Naperville's Central Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it

Laughing Lincoln image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

2. Laughing Lincoln

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 walking distance of this marker: DuPage County Court House 1839-1868 (here, next to this marker); DuPage County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Baha'u'llah (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Park Seating Improvements (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Great Concerto (about 300 feet away); Ronald J. Keller, Ph.D. (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

Also see . . .
1. Naperville Sun: ‘Laughing Lincoln’ sculpture makes its debut in Naperville’s Central Park.

Excerpt: “When DuPage County was carved out of Cook County in 1839, Lincoln and town founder Joseph Naper served in the state legislature together, Wehrli said. Lincoln wanted the state capital moved from Vandalia to Springfield and Naper wanted DuPage County carved
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

3. Laughing Lincoln statue
out of Cook County, she said. 'They didn’t typically vote the same way, but in this case they made one another’s vision come true,' Wehrli said.”

(Submitted on December 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Naperville and Mr. Lincoln. A blog post about links between Naperville and Abraham Lincoln. While there is a legend that Lincoln spoke in Naperville, there is no evidence this event, or any other visits to DuPage County, ever happened. (Submitted on December 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. David Alan Clark Sculpture official site. (Submitted on December 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Laughing Lincoln in Central Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

4. Laughing Lincoln in Central Park

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.