1. Category:
  2. Fine Art (2,667)

Mr. Lincoln Christens his Namesake City Lincoln, Illinois

Creator:
Lloyd Ostendorf, Lincoln Savings and Loan Association
Location:
unknown place made
Origin Date:
1970
Materials:
paper
Measurements:
overall: 12 in x 16 in
Item ID:
71.2009.081.1185
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Fine Art

Description

This print was done from a painting by artist Lloyd Ostendorf of his conception of the christening ceremony for the town Lincoln, Illinois, on August 29, 1853. Abraham Lincoln, having assisted with the platting of the town and working as counsel for the newly laid railroad which led to the town's founding, was asked to participate in a naming ceremony for the town. It is the only town named after Lincoln before he became the 16th president of the United States. According to town tradition, Lincoln used the juice of a watermelon to christen the town on the public square while three proprietors (Latham, Hickox, and Gillette) and a little boy watched. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum