Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Lincoln Depot
Photographed By Angie Shaffer, January 7, 2008
1. The Lincoln Depot Marker
Erected 1966 by The Lincoln Depot, Inc., and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, the Illinois State Historical Society, and the Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stops series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1860.
Location. 39° 47.957′ N, 89° 38.556′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. Marker is at the intersection of Monroe Street and 10th Street (railroad), on the right when traveling east on Monroe Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springfield IL 62704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Great Western Depot (a few steps from this marker); Great Western Railroad Depot (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln’s Farewell to Springfield (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln and Animals
this page online
Also see . . . The Lincoln Depot. Abraham Lincoln Online website entry (Submitted on January 6, 2008.)
Additional commentary.
1. Many Adventures on 1,904 mile Journey!
Springfield, Illinois (pop.: 9,320) on a cold rainy morning at 8:00 AM Monday Feb. 11, 1861 Lincoln was sent off by over 1,000 of his home town citizens, to be the next President of the United States.
The 1,904 mile adventure filled journey from Springfield to Washington would take twelve days (February 11th to the 23rd) of which he traveled ten days by train. No traveling occurred on two of the days (Sunday - the 17th and Wednesday - the 20th). Leaving on a Monday the Train Trip was completed by 6:00 AM the second Saturday following. It was planned for him to travel during day light hours. Once off
Photographed By Angie Shaffer, January 6, 2008
2. The Lincoln Depot Marker
Lincoln’s trip involved: stopping at approximately 89 towns or cities in eight states, 18 railroad companies, changing trains to accomodate the different gauges of track along the route, over 24 Steam Locomotives with over 23 additional Steam Locomotives acting as “Pilot Engines” making sure the rails and area were safe (the majority of the locomotives were wood fired - only two were coal fired), the traveling speed was around 30 MPH (though traveling through upper New York state was at 40 MPH)), traveling between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM each day, only five planned locations along the way to stop and eat lunch, two ferries and one foot bridge. The weather was anything from cold and sunny, raining, or blowing snow storms. The “Presidential Special” train was usually three passenger cars, one luggage car, an engine tender, and the steam locomotive. Lincoln, his family, and the Presidential Party road in the last car.
His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, did not start - nor - finish the trip with Lincoln. She and the small children, among others, had an even more grueling train ride to start the journey. They left Springfield latter in the evening (at 6:10 PM) on a sleeper car. Abraham had already arrived in Indianapolis
Photographed By Angie Shaffer, January 6, 2008
3. Front of the Lincoln Depot
With a near two hour lay over in Lafayette, they left at 7:20 AM. She and her group met up with Abraham and his group on his train at Union Station - Indianapolis, Indiana and headed out of Indianapolis together at 11:00 AM. General Winfield Scott, head of the military, suggested that all the family travel together for ease of security.
On the final leg of journey into Washington, D. C., Abraham traveled incognito overnight without the family due to rumors of a possible assassination attempt. Again Mary and the rest of the group caught up with him a little after 5:30 PM on Saturday, February 23rd - a cold rainy Winter day.
Since dinning cars were not invented yet, travelers had to take along their own food and drink unless there was a planned “eating stop.” Of the five “planned” eating stops for lunch, one of them (Xenia, Ohio) was empty of food due to the large hungry crowd that gathered waiting for Lincoln’s train. After a short few minutes and brief speech, his train was off and running again. Due to necessary security his food supply was guarded and kept safe without the knowledge of the public, and at times without Lincoln’s knowledge.
Portable
Courtesy of the National Park Service
4. Original Depot
The "Great Western Depot" was originally a one-story structure used for passenger and freight when Lincoln left Springfield. The second story was added latter.
State Officials rode on the “Presidential Special” through their respective State. This allowed for personal greetings, political horse trading, and more added security for the Presidential Party. Presidential protocols always specified that the State was safely escort the President through their State. Lincoln thusly was very busy during the train trip. When the train stopped he met the general public and made brief speeches. When the train was in motion he was surrounded by official State representatives. Newspapermen were also on the “Presidential Special” looking for information and interviews.
Lincoln used this trip to see the country's geography, gather the general attitudes of the people, and build the support of the populace and officials at all State and Federal levels before beginning his terms in Office as President.
— Submitted January 31, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.
Photographed By Larry Senalik, February 11, 2011
5. Abraham Lincoln (Fritz Klein) delivers his farewell address
150th anniversary of Lincoln's Farewell Address on February 11, 2011
Photographed By Larry Senalik, February 11, 2011
6. Crowd gathers for the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's Farewell Address
Photographed By Angie Shaffer, January 6, 2008
7. Excerpt from Lincoln's speech
"Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return...."
A. Lincoln, farewell address, 1861
A. Lincoln, farewell address, 1861
Courtesy: Chigago Historical
8. Chicago "Wigwam"
The National Republican Convention was held in this new wooden structure in Chicago, Illinois. It is here that Abraham Lincoln's team was able to get Lincoln nominated as a candidate. "Wigwam" was known in 1860's as an Indian name for "temporary place." The public took to the name: calling those that met at the "Wigwam" as the Big Political Chiefs of the Country.
Courtesy: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society
9. Lincoln's Locomotive
It is the "L. M. Wiley", named in honor of the "Director" of the Great Western Railroad. It was built by the Hinkley Locomotive Works of Albany Street, Boston in 1855 - being their #568 machine built.
This locomotive pulled the "Presidential Special" from Springfield, Illinois to State Line City, Indiana - at which Lincoln switched trains.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5,687 times since then and 53 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week May 25, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 4. submitted on May 17, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 5, 6. submitted on February 11, 2011, by Larry Senalik of Pleasant Plains, Illinois. 7. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 8. submitted on January 26, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 9. submitted on May 17, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
