Rockport in Spencer County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

A Visit Home

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

1. A Visit Home Marker

Inscription. In October, 1844 Abraham Lincoln saddled up his horse and set out from Springfield, Illinois, for a trip back to his boyhood home in Spencer County, Indiana. It had been 14 years since he had left, and his term as a state legislator was over. He was an elector for Henry Clay, who was running against Democratic nominee James K. Polk. Incumbent President John Tyler failed to receive the nomination of his party, The Whigs. Lincoln’s mission was to campaign for Clay, making speeches throughout the area. After several weeks of campaigning, visiting his mother’s grave and seeing old acquaintances, he delivered his campaign speech at the Rockport Courthouse on Oct. 30, 1844. He left town the next day, but later wrote a poem about returning to his boyhood home in Indiana.

[ Excerpts of the Poem by: Abraham Lincoln ]

“My childhood’s home I see again,
and sadden with the view;
And still as memory crowds my brain,
There’s pleasure in it to. . .
“Near twenty years have passed away,
Since here I bid farewell
To woods and fields, and scenes of play
And playmates loved so well;”

By the Way:
An observer of Lincoln’s courthouse speech noted: “. . .He was so gangling, tall and awkward. He had on a brownish suit and an old fashioned cap. Of course, he hadn’t gotten famous then but attracted attention.”

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1844.

Location. 37° 52.979′ N, 87° 2.77′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Indiana, in Spencer County. It is at the intersection of South 2nd Street and Main Street, on the left when traveling north on South 2nd Street. Located on the North/East lawn of the Spencer County Courthouse in Rockport, Indiana. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rockport IN 47635, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region

and in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it 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: Abraham Lincoln was a Guest in 1844 (within shouting

Text Section - - A Visit Home Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

2. Text Section - - A Visit Home Marker

distance of this marker); Site of Rockport Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Spencer County, IN (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Honor Roll - Spencer County (within shouting distance of this marker); General James C. Veatch (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jan. 29, 1937 (about 600 feet away); Historical Site – Lankford Cave (about 700 feet away); Mathias Sharp House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.

Lincoln's Poem Excerpts - - A Visit Home Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

3. Lincoln's Poem Excerpts - - A Visit Home Marker

Marker Photo - - "Abraham Lincoln" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

4. Marker Photo - - "Abraham Lincoln"

Marker Photo - - "Rockport Courthouse" - <br>Lincoln Era image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

5. Marker Photo - - "Rockport Courthouse" -
Lincoln Era

Wide View - - A Visit Home Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

6. Wide View - - A Visit Home Marker

North/East Corner - - Spencer County Courthouse - - Rockport, Indiana image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

7. North/East Corner - - Spencer County Courthouse - - Rockport, Indiana

/\ - - - The marker can be seen to the extreme left in this photo.

South/East Corner - - Spencer County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

8. South/East Corner - - Spencer County Courthouse

North/West Corner - - Spencer County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

9. North/West Corner - - Spencer County Courthouse

Cornerstone from Spencer County Infirmary - - "1917 John F. Pyle" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

10. Cornerstone from Spencer County Infirmary - - "1917 John F. Pyle"

The Cornerstone is a few steps away from the "A Visit Home" marker.

Tree Marker - - (Original) Sugar Tree planted 1897 by J. H. Parker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

11. Tree Marker - - (Original) Sugar Tree planted 1897 by J. H. Parker

This tree marker is located on the North/West lawn corner of the Spencer County Courthouse by the Parrot Rifle (Cannon).

Parrot Rifle (Commonly called a Cannon) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

12. Parrot Rifle (Commonly called a Cannon)

Replanted Tree - Replacing a Sugar Tree originally planted in 1897 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

13. Replanted Tree - Replacing a Sugar Tree originally planted in 1897

Muzzle of 1863 Parrot Rifle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

14. Muzzle of 1863 Parrot Rifle

A bit difficult to read, but looks like this Parrot Rifle was: made in 1863 at the "West Point Foundry", weighed 4,175 lbs., with a 4.2 inch. bore, and is #200.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on September 26, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.