Tolono in Champaign County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop

Photographed By Angie Shaffer, January 13, 2008

1. Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker

Inscription. Abraham Lincoln made his farewell address to the people of Illinois at the Tolono Station February 11, 1861. "I am leaving you on an errand of national importance, attended as you are aware with considerable difficulties. Let us believe as some poet has expressed it 'behind the cloud the sun is still shining.' I bid you an affectionate farewell."

Erected 1932 by Alliance Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution Urbana, Champaign and citizens of Tolono.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stops series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1771.

Location. 39° 59.075′ N, 88° 15.798′ W. Marker is in Tolono, Illinois, in Champaign County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Long Street (U.S. 45) and West Strong Street, on the left when traveling south on N. Long Street. Marker is near the south end of town on a lot with a fueling station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tolono IL 61880, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lincoln in Tolono (here,

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

next to this marker); Potawatomi Trail of Death (approx. 4.7 miles away); Henry Sadorus (approx. 4.7 miles away); Modern Protozoology (approx. 7.8 miles away); Barn #2 (approx. 7.8 miles away); Barn #3 (approx. 7.8 miles away); Dairy Experimental Round Barns (approx. 7.9 miles away); Culture on the Prairie (approx. 8.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Video - - "Abraham Lincoln Biography. . ." - (Courtesy - YouTube)::. (Submitted on February 15, 2013.)

Additional commentary.
1. Lincolm Marker atTolono Station
Am not familiar with both the station as shown and the quotation on commemorative marker. The departure of then President-elect Abraham Lincoln enroute to Washington was at the station in Springfield. Are these two, separate events; the one identified with his presidency and the other with his first trip to Washington as a Congressman?

Editor's Note: Lincoln traveled through Tolono several times, as Tolono was junction of the Great Western and Illinois Central Railroads. While he also gave a farewell speach in Springfield, it was in Tolono

September 3, 2007

2. Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker

where he gave his last formal address in the State of Illinois, which included the quoted excerpt. Please see the Marker Series "Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stops Markers" at http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=32
Thank you.

— Submitted March 26, 2010, by Edwin Yosef Vogt of City of Little Falls, New York 13365, Herkimer County, New York State.

Looking South/East – Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, October 28, 2009

3. Looking South/East – Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker

Obverse Side – Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, October 28, 2009

4. Obverse Side – Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker

Looking North/East – Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, October 28, 2009

5. Looking North/East – Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stop Marker

Tolono Railroad Depot image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Nancy Lambert

6. Tolono Railroad Depot

Possible original Depot. The population of Tolono was only 277 when Lincoln's Train stopped in 1861. Tolono, Illinois started and grew as a railroad town into the city it is today.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6,299 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 14, 2008, by Angie Shaffer of Springfield, Illinois. 2. submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 1, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 6. submitted on January 26, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.