Oak Ridge Cemetery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oak Ridge Cemetery
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Abraham Lincoln's tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1441 Monument Ave., Springfield, Illinois |
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| Area | 365 acres (148 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| Architect | Saunders, William |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000986 |
| Added to NRHP | August 4, 1995 |
Oak Ridge Cemetery is a special place in Springfield, Illinois, United States. It's a large cemetery where many important people are buried. It's most famous for being the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, who was one of America's most famous presidents. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and most of their children are also buried there.
Because of Lincoln's Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery is the second most visited cemetery in the entire United States! Only Arlington National Cemetery sees more visitors each year.
Contents
Discovering Oak Ridge Cemetery
Oak Ridge is the only public cemetery in Springfield today. It was started in 1860. A man named William Saunders designed it. He used a style called the Rural Cemetery Landscape Lawn Style. This style makes the cemetery look like a beautiful park.
Why "Oak Ridge"?
The people who chose the spot for the cemetery picked it carefully. It has rolling hills, which was perfect for the park-like design. There are also many oak trees there, which is how the cemetery got its name! The "ridge" part comes from the way the land rises up next to Spring Creek. This creates a unique landscape in central Illinois.
Modern Additions
The newest part of Oak Ridge Cemetery opened after 1945. This section was designed in a "Memorial Park" style. This means the roads are wider, making it easier for cars to drive through.
Honoring Heroes and History
Oak Ridge Cemetery is not just a burial ground. It also has several important memorials that honor people who served our country.
- There are memorials for the Korean War and World War II.
- You can also find the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial here.
Right next to the cemetery, there is a museum. It teaches visitors about the history of African-Americans in Central Illinois.
Images for kids
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Korean War Memorial
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Close up of Korean War Memorial
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Battle of Chosin Reservoir Memorial
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Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial
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Vietnam War Memorial close up
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World War II Memorial
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The European Theater side of the World War II Memorial
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Lincoln's Tomb Burial room
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Lincoln's Tomb Custodian's Residence
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Governor John Riley Tanner's tomb
