Lincoln in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lincoln's Lincoln
Town Christening Site
— "Looking for Lincoln" —
On August 27, 1853 the first sale of lots in the new town of Lincoln took place near this spot. In attendance was Abraham Lincoln, in whose honor the town had been named. “Nothing with the name of Lincoln has ever amounted to much,” he had reportedly quipped in response.
Lincoln was nevertheless obliging when a promoter asked him on the day of the land sale to officially “christen the town.” Lincoln picked an appropriate melon and conducted a brief “christening ceremony.”
Thirteen year-old John S. Stevens was in attendance and later recalled the event:
“We were all seated on the several lumber piles. For myself I had selected the end of a projecting board which would spring nicely with my weight and near where Mr. Lincoln stood. He opened the melon with his pocket knife which just reached well through the rind, running all around, bumped the melon on the lumber, it opened nicely with all the core on one side. He cut this core, squeezed the water into a tincup saying,
‘Gentlemen, I am requested by the proprietors of the town site to christen it, I have selected the juice of a melon for that purpose, pouring it on the ground. Therefore, in your presence and hearing, I now christen this town site. Its name is Lincoln and soon to be named the permanent capital of Logan County. I have also prepared a feast for the occasion.’
Pulling the wagon cover from the pile of melons, he took one half of the melon he had opened for christening, laid it on the board before me saying, ‘The youngest American on the ground shall feast with me on the christening melon.’ Picking up the other half he pointed to the pile and said ‘Gentlemen, help yourself.’”
Erected by Looking for Lincoln.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 40° 8.865′ N, 89° 21.816′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Illinois, in Logan County. Marker is at the intersection of North Chicago Street and Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north on North Chicago Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln IL 62656, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln, Illinois (here, next to this marker); Centennial Park (a few steps from this marker); The Lincoln House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Rustic Scene of Conspiracy (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel C. Parks (about 500 feet away); Lincoln, Illinois (about 600 feet away); Logan County's Civil War Dead (about 600 feet away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.
Also see . . .
1. Looking for Lincoln Video - on P.B.S. Follow Henry Louis Gates, Jr. "...from Illinois, to Gettysburg, to Washington, D. C., and face to face with people who live with Lincoln every day...". (Submitted on October 23, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. Looking for Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area website hommepage:
Many resources for tracking Lincoln through History and Illinois, for all ages. (Submitted on October 23, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,403 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 7. submitted on June 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.