words

[Gene C]

Hi, Roger. I didn't know that Mary's relatives had purchased plots at Oak Ridge. Something else that might be relevant--Eddie Lincoln, who died February 1, 1850, and was buried in Springfield's Hutchinson Cemetery, located a few blocks from where Springfield's fathers wanted to put AL. Eddie was exhumed and re-buried in Oak Ridge with his father on May 1, 1865. By 1874, Hutchinson was no longer taking burials, and most of its inhabitants were being removed to Oak Ridge. Forty-one years later, Hutchinson became the site for Springfield High School. One wonders if Mary had any knowledge that Hutchinson was close to refusing additional burials and that Springfield would eventually re-locate those buried there to Oak Ridge. So, for her to keep husband and son together, Oak Ridge became the "quiet place"?

Interesting Dave. I wonder how many ghost stories there are about the school being built on a former cemetery? The ghost ate my homework?
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM8X5...d_Illinois

[davg2000]

Hi, Gene--

There truly is a tradition of a ghost at Springfield HS. And in 1915, when construction began, there were, reportedly, still a few gravestones on the property.

[Gene C]

Brings new meaning to the term "school spirit"

[loetar44]

Hi, Gene--

There truly is a tradition of a ghost at Springfield HS. And in 1915, when construction began, there were, reportedly, still a few gravestones on the property.

When Old City Cemetery and Hutchinton Cemetery were closed the graves were removed to Oak Ridge en the land remained unoccupied. In 1897 a new high school was built on the grounds of the Old City Cemetery and in 1909 een new park (Forest Park) opened at the former Hutchinson Cemetery, complete with tennis court, gardens, etc. However the public avoided the place because it was still seen as “spooky”, a haunted place. About 1915 the high school was overcrowded and plans were made to erect a new school in Forest Park. This new school was completed in 1916. I don’t know if ghost sightings has been reported, but it is indeed true that some gravestones were moved to Oak Ridge Cemetery before construction could begin. I believe that the 1897 school (renamed Central High School) was demolished in 1961.

[RJNorton]

The Oak Ridge Cemetery book has been mentioned in previous posts. It has some wonderful photos including this one which shows the heavily-wooded character of the original Oak Ridge acreage.

[LincolnToddFan]

Brings new meaning to the term "school spirit"

LOL!!!! Good one Gene!

[Eva Elisabeth]

Findagrave, in its article about Oak Ridge, says this: "It was reported that Abraham Lincoln and his wife were present at the dedication of the cemetery" on May 24, 1860. The article about Oak Ridge in SangamonLink says that "it’s reasonable to think that, although there’s no proof of their attendance, Abraham and Mary Lincoln were part of the dedication crowd." However, this piece does go on to detail how busy Lincoln was during the week of May 24. So....? I think the general sense is that he and Mary were there.

Does any newspaper account of the ceremony exist? Since Abraham Lincoln had just six days before been nominated the Republican presidential candidate I am sure his presence would have been mentioned.

"The Lincoln Log" for Thursday, May 24, 1860, reads:
"Thurlow Weed, political boss of New York and William H. Seward's "manager," visits Lincoln. Register, 25 May 1860."
http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.asp...xtRnpjSGc9
(Well, sure the meeting didn't last all day long.)

[davg2000]

This is hard to believe, I know, but I don't believe a newspaper account exists. The person who wrote the SangamonLink article on Oak Ridge was a long-time writer for the Illinois State Journal-Register, which the Journal of Lincoln's day evolved into. He certainly would have had access to any newspaper accounts of Oak Ridge's dedication.

Findagrave, in its article about Oak Ridge, says this: "It was reported that Abraham Lincoln and his wife were present at the dedication of the cemetery" on May 24, 1860. The article about Oak Ridge in SangamonLink says that "it’s reasonable to think that, although there’s no proof of their attendance, Abraham and Mary Lincoln were part of the dedication crowd." However, this piece does go on to detail how busy Lincoln was during the week of May 24. So....? I think the general sense is that he and Mary were there.

Does any newspaper account of the ceremony exist? Since Abraham Lincoln had just six days before been nominated the Republican presidential candidate I am sure his presence would have been mentioned.

"The Lincoln Log" for Thursday, May 24, 1860, reads:
"Thurlow Weed, political boss of New York and William H. Seward's "manager," visits Lincoln. Register, 25 May 1860."
http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.asp...xtRnpjSGc9
(Well, sure the meeting didn't last all day long.)

[Anita]

The Oak Ridge Cemetery book has been mentioned in previous posts. It has some wonderful photos including this one which shows the heavily-wooded character of the original Oak Ridge acreage.

Thanks for the link Roger. It sure didn't start out looking like a "sylvan beauty".