Gurnee in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Lamp of Liberty"
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026
1. "Lamp of Liberty" Marker
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Heroes. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1858.
Location. 42° 22.365′ N, 87° 55.128′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It can be reached from Kilbourne Road north of Old Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in the ruins of the Mother Rudd Barn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4690 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee IL 60031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 15 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lake County's First African American Settler (here, next to this marker); Timeline (here, next to this marker); The Mother Rudd Barn (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Mother Rudd Barn (here, next to this marker); Underground Railroad (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Timeline (a few steps from this marker); The Journey (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad in Illinois (a few steps from this marker); Esper A. Petersen (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Legion Post 771 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Logger's Run (approx. Ύ mile away); Aquaman Splashdown (approx. 0.8 miles away); DC Super-Villains Swing (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fiddler's Fling (approx. 0.8 miles away); Great America Scenic Railway (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gurnee.
More about this marker. The marker is one of seven inside the ruins of the Mother Rudd Barn. The barn is just north of the Mother Rudd House, which serves today as the home
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026
2. Mother Rudd Barn ruins
Several markers have been erected inside the ruins of this barn, which was used in pre-Civil War times as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Regarding "Lamp of Liberty". The quote is the final sentence of Abraham Lincoln's speech given in Chicago on July 10, 1858.
Also see . . . Lincoln's Speech at Chicago, Illinois (July 10, 1858). (Submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026
3. Mother Rudd Barn ruins
The marker on the left is about the barn's use as a stop on the Underground Railroad; the one on the right is about Lake County's first settler, Amos Bennett. Markers inside the ruins discuss the Underground Railroad.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
