The Lincoln Tomb: A Resting Place for a Giant
Standing solemnly in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, the Lincoln Tomb is more than a burial site—it is a monument to a man whose life and legacy continue to shape America.
The towering obelisk rising above the tomb is an unmistakable marker, reaching over 117 feet into the sky. Sculpted figures representing the infantry, navy, artillery, and cavalry surround the monument, symbolizing the soldiers who fought to preserve the Union. Inside, Lincoln's remains rest in a reinforced concrete vault beneath the floor, ensuring his eternal peace after a series of unsettling events following his death.
Lincoln's Legacy: The Tomb as a Symbol
Lincoln's presidency, defined by the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, cast a shadow that extended long after his assassination in 1865. The tomb stands as a tribute not just to the man, but to the ideas he championed: unity, equality, and the endurance of democracy. Visitors who file past his resting place often pause before the bronze bust at the entrance. Tradition holds that rubbing Lincoln's nose for luck brings good fortune, leaving the metal polished to a bright sheen.
The Lincoln Tomb Robbery
In 1876, a group of counterfeiters hatched a bold and bizarre scheme to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom. Their plan was to demand $200,000 and secure the release of their imprisoned engraver, who specialized in counterfeiting $20 bills. The plot was foiled thanks to the intervention of the Secret Service (then a fledgling organization established to combat counterfeiting). Lincoln's body was recovered, but the near-disaster prompted officials to secretly bury his remains in a shallow grave within the tomb. In 1901, his body was moved one final time, encased in a steel cage and buried beneath 10 feet of concrete to deter any future attempts at theft.
Unusual Facts About Lincoln After His Death
Lincoln's body underwent an unusual journey after his assassination. For two weeks following his death, his remains traveled by train on a 1,600-mile journey, visiting major cities before reaching Springfield. The train route, marked by public displays of mourning, mirrored the journey Lincoln had taken to Washington, D.C., in 1861 as president-elect.
In 1901, when Lincoln's body was finally placed beneath the concrete vault, workers opened the coffin to confirm his remains. Witnesses, including Lincoln's longtime friend Robert Todd Lincoln, described his body as remarkably well-preserved, a chilling testament to the embalming process of the era.
Lincoln's legacy continues to unfold. Even today, his words are quoted in political speeches, his leadership is studied in classrooms, and his life is memorialized in countless ways. The Lincoln Tomb stands as a place of reflection—a reminder that while death silences a voice, it cannot extinguish its echoes.