Oak Ridge in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Temporary Tombs
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 17, 2011
1. Temporary Tombs Marker
Oak Ridge Cemetery's public vault, located at the base of the hill behind the Lincoln tomb, received the bodies of Abraham Lincoln and his son William on May 4, 1865. It would be some time before a permanent burial place would be prepared so the National Lincoln Monument Association constructed a temporary tomb halfway up the hillside from the public vault. There the bodies of Abraham and the sons who died before him, Edward and William, were place in December 1865. Father and sons rested there until their removal on September 19, 1871, to the partially completed permanent Lincoln tombs.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is May 4, 1865.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 49.378′ N, 89° 39.347′ W. Marker was in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It was in Oak Ridge. It could be reached from the intersection of Monument Avenue and West Oak Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1500 Monument Ave, Springfield IL
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Central Illinois. It was also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Building the Lincoln Tomb (here, next to this marker); Reconstruction and Renovation (a few steps from this marker); Abraham Lincoln's Tomb (a few steps from this marker); The Temporary Vault (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Tomb Custodian's Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); First Resting Place of Abraham Lincoln (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Receiving Vault (about 400 feet away); This Vault (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Grave of Abraham Lincoln (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing);
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 27, 2020
2. Temporary Tombs Marker
Marker is in the middle of the three markers in front of the left side of Lincoln's Tomb.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 797 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on July 15, 2026, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. Photos: 1. submitted on October 31, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
