I'll take a stab at it. It denotes where the Edwards residence used to be?
That is an outstanding guess! However, not correct.
Hint #2: Bill is right - it commemorates something that used to be there, but it's not the Ninian Edwards' residence.
Hint #3: What the monument commemorates was there for only a short period of time.
Hint #4: The marker was originally placed there on August 2, 1909. Both the Mayor of Springfield and the Governor of Illinois spoke at the ceremony. Over the years the marker has degraded and the inscription is no longer readable.
Does it have something to do with Grant?
The grave in which A. L.'s coffin was placed when the Lincoln Tomb was repaired in 1900? (But that most likely doesn't match the private property?)
People are alway asking me, "Gene, how far is it to Springfield?"
You're probably wondering that too. So the good folks at the Kentucky regional office of the Lincoln Discussion Symposium have come up with this handy, dandy, distance calculator just for you. Just to illustrate, we plugged in a 150 mile radius of Springfield to see what area was within (you guessed it) 150 miles from Springfield. And we came up with this beautiful map
http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/tow...field&c=IL
Now, don't you feel special? You can enter in any distance you want, and guess what? Your probably closer than you think.
If you've never been to Springfield or New Salem before, now is your chance. If you have been before, I guarantee this time will be a unique experience.
That's October 10 & 11, Friday & Saturday. Some of us are coming early on the 9th, to beat the rush at the Praire Archives Book Store, to get some fresh Dunkin Donuts, and to meet, great and eat. (or both)
More info to come.....
Gene: How far to Springfield? Reminds me of that post that was seen on the TV show MASH showing the distances to different cities from their spot in Korea.
Bill, if you live in the Detroit area, it's only around 400 miles.
If you leave at 4 am, pack your lunch, drive like everyone else in Detroit, you can make it in 6 - 6 1/2 hours easy (with one pit stop included)
Gene: yes, but we don't do that at all. Actually we stop at a town or two (related to AL)- have lunch- and drive on in. Half the fun is the ride!
I'm so jealous of you folks, it sounds like a blast.
Maybe next year!
Joe is busy working on our itenerary and he's adding a few new places to see. I am re-reading Benjamin Thomas's "Lincoln's New Salem", to refresh my memory and get a little more familiar with the people behind the places we visit. (Purchased at Praire Archives in Springfield last year's trip). If you like old cemeteries, we will be a bit better organized this time for Oak Ridge Cemetery, with an interesting surprise on an unusual gravesite here. I called the Lincoln Tomb, and all the repairs have been completed. I am really looking forward to visiting the Lincoln Home, where the famous Lincoln "What Not" is located. And near New Salem, in the little town of Petersburg, is the Oakland Cemetery where the old headstone for Ann Rutledge is located. Joe wil have the interesting details about that. If you're planning on coming, let us know, even if it's only for one day.
You only have about 45 days shopping days left to prepare.
Sounds greeeat! ( as Tony the Tiger used to say ).
Gene,
Is there any way we could do a little detective work and find out where Fido's final resting place is? He was adopted by Lincoln's neighbor John Roll, and John Roll buried him after his senseless murder. The book "Looking For Lincoln" says he was given a loving burial by the Roll family, perhaps in their backyard...all we'd have to do is figure out where the Roll house stood.
Then poor Fido could be added to the Springfield Tour and get the recognition that he deserves. Poor doggie!
