I had the privilege of speaking to advocates gathered at the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence annual conference in Springfield which afforded me the opportunity to do some sightseeing in early June.  Home to about 110,000 people, Springfield reminded me more of cities in the deep south than a bastion for Yankees.

Home to the young Abraham Lincoln, Springfield is also the place where the 16th President is buried.  I heard that a ceremony is held every Tuesday night throughout the summer at Oakridge Cemetery where Lincoln's Tomb is located.  I had that night free so headed out, got lost, got found, and finally made it in time for the ceremony.

Lincoln was assassinated April 14, 1865 but his tomb, 117 feet tall, was not completed until 1874.  Four armed forces groups representing the infantry, cavalry, artillery, and the navy adorn the obelisk's pedestal.  The expenses of building those statues were donated by the cities of Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City respectively.

The Illinois Volunteer Reactivated Infantry performs, in Civil War uniform, the 114th Infantry Regiment Retreat Ceremony in front of the tomb.

A large crowd was on hand to observe the weekly event.

Following a flag ceremony, the flag was presented to one of the spectators at random and the regiment posed for pictures before the tomb.

Nearby were many old tombstones but the part of the cemetery which really caught my eye was this section where children were buried.

An Abe impersonator poses for a photo near the tomb.  Even without a hat, the real Abe stood 6' 4" which must have made him a veritable giant in his day.

More photos

Home