Lincoln Tomb
Also known as: See also:Oak Ridge Cemetery
Why it's listed
Lincoln Tomb is a marble monument in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln, his wife and three of their four sons are buried. Designed by Larkin G. Mead, Jr., it was built between 1869 and 1874 at an original cost of $180,000. A 117-foot obelisk rises from a square base, with bronze groups at the corners representing the infantry, cavalry, artillery and navy of the Civil War, and a ten-foot statue of Lincoln above the entrance. Inside, a circular corridor leads to the burial chamber, with statues and bronze tablets bearing Lincoln's major speeches. Citizens of Springfield organized a monument association after his death in 1865, and the State of Illinois took control in 1895. Thieves tried to steal the body in 1876, and in 1901 it was placed in a cement vault ten feet below the floor. The tomb was rebuilt inside in 1901 and 1931, and it remains open daily to visitors.
Significance in brief: It is the burial place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife and three of their four sons, and serves as a memorial to the sixteenth President. The form stresses Lincoln's role as saviour of the Union and emancipator of the slaves, and the tomb's history includes the 1876 foiled attempt to steal his body.
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 66000330, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000330 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1809-1865 |
| Architect / builder | Larkin G. Meade, Jr. |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 19, 1960 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good and altered; open daily to the public without restriction. Graffiti on the exterior in January 1975 was removed by sandblasting, which permanently affected the stone. |
| Acreage | 12.4 |
| Within district | Oak Ridge Cemetery |
| Coordinates | 39.82222, -89.65577 (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 66000330.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3409587
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.