Lincoln (Statue)
Also known as: The Young Circuit Lawyer; Lincoln the Lawyer; Young Lincoln; Abraham Lincoln
Why it's listed
Standing at the east entrance of Carle Park in Urbana, this ten-foot bronze statue shows Abraham Lincoln as a young circuit lawyer, leaning back against a half wall that may suggest a courtroom bench. Sculptor Lorado Taft, who grew up in nearby Champaign and studied at the University of Illinois and in Paris, cast it in 1927. The work was funded by the will of Mrs. J. O. Cunningham, whose husband had known Lincoln when he rode the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Taft accepted a fee well below his usual rate for bronze work. The statue was first dedicated beside the Urbana Lincoln Hotel, moved to the park in December 1927, and shifted about twenty feet in 1954 so it would face southeast, as Taft had wanted. Residents have repeatedly opposed proposals to relocate it. It is valued as a fine example of Taft's later, simplified style and as a local landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the statue is significant under Criterion C as a work of high artistic quality by Lorado Taft, an internationally known sculptor raised locally. It is described as a simplified example of Neo-Renaissance Classicism, reflecting Taft's later conservative American style. It has also long been a community focal point and a link to the city's past.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04000144, listed March 10, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1000 Blk of S. Race St., Urbana |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | March 10, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000144 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1927 |
| Architect / builder | Taft, Lorado Zadok |
| Architectural style | Other: Sculpture; described as simplified "Neo-Renaissance Classicism" |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Publicly owned and still displayed outdoors in Carle Park as a work of art; moved twice, to its present spot in 1954, and the nomination says the moves did not harm its integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.10436, -88.21035 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04000144.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6551212
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.