The Lincoln Depot was etched into American history on Feb. 11, 1861, when the president-elect Abraham Lincoln gave a stirring speech before leaving his hometown of Springfield. Situated two blocks from the Lincoln Home, this depot marks the spot where Lincoln last stood in Springfield, his hometown for 24 years. Explore the site where Lincoln bade his friends and supporters farewell, read the inscription that describes the events of the day and check out the depot’s on-site museum.
Approaching the Lincoln Depot, you’ll notice the building’s elegant and simple mid 19th-century brick façade. The modest construction was built by the Great Western Railroad in 1852. Less than 10 years later, Abraham Lincoln made the short cart journey to the depot and paused to give a small speech of farewell before beginning his passage to Washington D.C. Enter the ground floor of the depot and find a small museum dedicated to the momentous day and Lincoln’s legacy.
More than 1,000 citizens of Springfield, many of them friends of Lincoln, gathered at the station’s office and filed past the president-elect to shake his hand. Read an excerpt from his speech, which made history for its bittersweet sentimentality. The speech imparted sadness at leaving the community, with hopefulness for the future.
Learn about Lincoln’s life in Springfield and the path he forged as president at the museum, which has been operating since 1965. It was extensively renovated in 2013 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. Imagine shaking hands with Lincoln on that day in 1861 and waving him off as the Great Western Railroad train departed.
The Lincoln Depot is located in Pioneer Park, Springfield. The self-guided museum is located on the ground floor and is free to enter. The museum is open on weekdays only, however, weekend and holiday visits can be organized by calling ahead. While in the area, be sure to check out the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, located two blocks to the south of the depot.
