Mount Vernon in Jefferson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Why Is Lincoln Beardless?
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 15, 2012
1. Why Is Lincoln Beardless? Marker
This monument depicts Abraham Lincoln as he appeared in the late 1850s. In the fall of 1860, a few weeks before he was elected to the Presidency, Lincoln received a letter from Grace Bedell, an 11-year-old girl from Westfield, New York. In her letter, dated October 15, 1860, young Grace urged Lincoln to grow a beard to improve his appearance to help him get elected. Lincoln responded in a letter on October 19, 1860, making no promises; however, less than a month later he began growing a beard.
Erected 2008.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1904.
Location. 38° 19.05′ N, 88° 54.482′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in Jefferson County. It is on 14th Street north of Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Vernon IL 62864, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt. 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: The Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon (here, next to this marker); Appellate Courthouse (here, next to this marker); The Illinois Supreme Court in Mt. Vernon (here, next to this marker); State of Illinois v. Illinois Central Railroad (here, next to this marker); Attorney Abraham Lincoln
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . How an 11 year old girl convinced Abe Lincoln to grow his beard. Knowol website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. facial hair, beards
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 15, 2012
2. Why Is Lincoln Beardless? Marker
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 7, 2023
3. Lincoln Statue
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 15, 2012
4. The Beardless Lincoln Statue Detail
Photographed by Preston Butler, August 13, 1860
5. Abraham Lincoln, candidate for U.S. president. Half-length portrait, seated, facing front
According to the Library of Congress' notes for this image, this is thought to be the last photograph of Lincoln without a beard.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 991 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on December 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 4. submitted on December 10, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on December 15, 2012.
