Great Western Railroad Depot (Lincoln Depot), Springfield, Illinois
Image by myoldpostcards
This historic depot, located just two blocks from Abraham Lincoln’s home, is where on February 11, 1861, Lincoln departed Springfield to assume the presidency of the United States. After bidding farewell to a number of friends, Lincoln delivered the following farewell address to the crowd, estimated at 1,000, from the rear platform of a special inaugural train waiting to take the president-elect and his family to Washington, D.C.:
"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, and never laid eyes on Springfield again. The funeral train, which left Washington on April 21, largely retraced the route Lincoln had traveled to Washington as president-elect. Several stops, in principal cities and state capitols, were made along the way in which ceremonies and processions were held. After a 12-day, 1,654 mile journey in which the train never exceeded a speed of 20 mph, the train arrived in Springfield on May 3, with internment at Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery the following day. My photographs of the Lincoln Funeral Reenactment in 2015 can be viewed here: www.flickr.com/photos/myoldpostcards/albums/7215765275817…
The depot was constructed by the Great Western Railroad in 1852, and was extensively remodeled in 1857 following fire damage. The second story of the structure was added in 1900. The historic depot is now owned by The Noll Law Office, and is operated by the combined effort of The Noll Law Office and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. The ground floor is open to the public, and the law office is on the upper level. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
