Oak Ridge in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lincoln’s Tomb

July 11, 2007

1. Lincoln's Tomb

Inscription. Lincoln
[Also engraved in the stone around the tomb are the names or abbreviations of every state at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s death]

Erected 1874 by National Lincoln Monument Association.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list.

Location. 39° 49.22′ N, 89° 39.234′ W. Memorial is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Oak Ridge. It is on Monument Avenue near W Oakridge Street. The Lincoln Tomb is located in Oak Ridge Cemetery and can be accessed via Monument Avenue. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1441 Monument Avenue, Springfield IL 62702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

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: John Riley Tanner (1844 - 1901) (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Receiving Vault (about 800 feet away); Rippon-Kinsella House (approx. 0.2 miles

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away); Abraham Lincoln's Tomb (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lincoln Descendants (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reconstruction and Renovation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Some Exterior Features (approx. 0.2 miles away); Building the Lincoln Tomb (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

More about this memorial. The 117-foot tall granite tomb, designed by Vermont sculptor Larkin Mead, contains the bodies of Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of his four sons—Edward, William and Thomas (Tad). It was officially dedicated to the memory of Abraham Lincoln on October 15, 1874, nine years and six months to the day after his death, 28 years and 6 months to the day since he moved from New Salem to Springfield.

Regarding Lincoln’s Tomb. It is said that Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd often visited Oak Ridge Cemetery while they lived in Springfield, as both were impressed by the setting. Mary Todd insisted that he be buried

Photographed by Angie Shaffer, January 20, 2008

2. Lincoln's Tomb

at Oak Ridge. The tomb stands on a slight rise and provides dramatic imagery to those who see it. Buried with him are his wife and three of their four sons. At the bottom of the hill to the north of the tomb is the receiving vault where respects were paid to the President for seven months.

Also see . . . Video Tour of Lincoln's Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Proclaimed the most visited cemetery second only to Arlington National Cemetery. (Submitted on June 12, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker inside the tomb
Shown here is a marker inside the tomb that reads,

In this tomb are the remains of
Abraham Lincoln
sixteenth President of the United States

Born February 12, 1809, in a log cabin at Hodgenville, Kentucky, a slave state, second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. Died at Washington, D.C., April 15, 1865.

Taken by his parents, in 1816, to Spencer County, Indiana, where he spent his youth. Two years later left motherless, but upon the re-marriage of his father became strongly attached to his step-mother,

Marker inside Lincoln's Tomb image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Angie Shaffer, January 20, 2008

3. Marker inside Lincoln's Tomb

Sarah Bush, who exerted great influence on his character.

At the age of twenty-one came with his family overland to Macon County, Illinois, where they settled on a farm. In 1831 moved to New Salem, where he lived six years. Moved to Springfield and practiced law until 1860, when he was elected to the Presidency of the United States. On November 4, 1842, married Mary Todd to which union were born four children, Robert Todd, Edward Baker, William Wallace and Thomas.

Served as a captain in the Black Hawk war, four terms in the Illinois State Legislature, one term in Congress. Was twice defeated for the United States Senate, and twice elected President of the United States.

With only a meager schooling he became a master of the English language, a lawyer of the highest standing and ability, a nationally known orator and debater, and one of the world's greatest statesmen.

He guided our nation through the Civil War and preserved our union for posterity. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted February 5, 2008.

Lincoln Head Sculpture image. Click for full size.

July 11, 2007

4. Lincoln Head Sculpture

This Lincoln Head sculpture is a replica of an original marble by Borglum located in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Infantry Group, The Coat of Arms and Statue of Abraham Lincoln image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. Conaway, May 8, 2007

5. Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Infantry Group, The Coat of Arms and Statue of Abraham Lincoln

Shown in this picture are three of the six sculptures on the monument done by Larkin G. Mead. The cost of the Infantry Group was $13,700 dollars and the Coat of Arms was $1,500. The cost of the Statue of Abraham Lincoln is not recorded.

Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Naval Group image. Click for full size.

Photographed by B. Pitzer, July 15, 2007

6. Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Naval Group

This piece is one of six pieces on the monument done by Larkin G. Mead. The cost of this piece was $13,700 and was purchased by the State of New York. It was exhibited at the Philadelpia Centennial in 1876 before arriving in Springfield during the Spring of 1877.

Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Cavalry Group image. Click for full size.

Photographed by B. Pitzer, July 15, 2007

7. Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Cavalry Group

This piece is one of six pieces on the monument done by Larkin G. Mead. The cost of this piece was $13,700.

Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Artillery Group image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. Conaway, May 8, 2007

8. Abraham Lincoln's Tomb: The Artillery Group

This piece is one of six pieces on the monument done by Larkin G. Mead. The cost of this piece was $13,700.

Statue inside the Tomb image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Angie Shaffer, January 20, 2008

9. Statue inside the Tomb

Lincoln's headstone inside the Tomb image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Angie Shaffer, January 20, 2008

10. Lincoln's headstone inside the Tomb

The receiving vault, with Lincoln's Tomb in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Angie Shaffer, January 20, 2008

11. The receiving vault, with Lincoln's Tomb in the background

President Abraham Lincoln (1861–65) image. Click for full size.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington DC

12. President Abraham Lincoln (1861–65)

Via Wikimedia Commons.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10,904 times since then and 55 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week April 12, 2015. Photos: 1. submitted on February 5, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 5, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 9, 10, 11. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 12. submitted on April 11, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.