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16. Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S NEW SALEM, IL HOME
By: Becky Moran, Washington, IL; Lincoln Tri-State Heritage Summer Institute, June, 2009

Lincoln on Horse statueWhen the Thomas Lincoln family moved to Illinois, they experienced a very harsh winter. Thomas decided to head back to Indiana, but he stopped near Lerna, Illinois where he determined to stay and where he lived out the rest of his life. It was when Abe’s family headed back to Indiana that 21 year old Abe decided it was time to start out on his own. Abe settled in a newly formed town about 20 miles northwest of Springfield. New Salem would be his home for the next six years. While in New Salem, Abraham learned many new skills. He worked as a store clerk, land surveyor, had a short stint as Captain in the Illinois Militia, and continued to read books so that he could become a lawyer. He also went into business as a store owner.  It is believed that Abraham fell in love for the first time with a young Ann Rutledge. He also made his first (although unsuccessful) try for public office while living in New Salem. Today the town is only a recreation to remember Lincoln’s time here. A statue of Lincoln reading while on his horse welcomes visitors to the site. Other statues that represent Lincoln’s time in New Salem can be found near and in the visitor’s center. In the 1930’s and 40’s the town was recreated as a project for the Civilian Conservation Corps program and is now managed by the State of Illinois. 

A sculpture of Abe Lincoln riding the judicial circuit while reading from his portable library
A sculpture of Abe Lincoln riding the judicial circuit while reading from his “portable library”.
A sculpture of Abe as a rail splitter
A sculpture of Abe as a rail splitter.		A sculpture of Abe as a surveyor
A sculpture of Abe as a surveyor. 
Samuel Hill residence
Samuel Hill residence. 
Henry Onstot's Cooper Shop
Henry Onstot’s Cooper Shop 
– the only original building remaining.
Berry-Lincoln Store in which Abe partnered with William Berry
Berry-Lincoln Store in which Abe partnered with William Berry.		 Typical four split-rail fence-line of the era
Typical four split-rail fence-line of the era.		 A modern-day, 19th Century garden
A modern-day, 19th Century garden.		Chinking (looks different than in Abe's day)
Chinking (looks different than 
in Abe’s day).		 The present-day Sangamon River
The present-day Sangamon River.

(Photos by Deb DeLion and Celestine Chen.)

For additional information about visiting Lincoln’s New Salem, Illinois, take a look at the website http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com.