Southern Boundary of Thomas Lincoln Farm

The southern boundary marker of the Thomas Lincoln Farm.

NPS / P. Alexander

Quick Facts

Location:

38.118278, -86.996461

Significance:

Southwest corner of Thomas Lincoln farm

Designation:

National Memorial

Amenities

6 listed

Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Restroom, Wheelchair Accessible

The trail that runs East/West is the actual trail that the Lincoln’s, Thomas 38, Nancy 33, Sarah 9, and Abraham 7, traveled upon when they stopped near this location and Thomas announced that they had reached their new home. The new homestead was where the Lincoln’s would settle and begin to carve a life out of the Indiana wilderness.

Since there was no road for the last four miles of their journey, Thomas and Abraham cut this road while making their way to the new homesite. Abraham later commented that “he never passed through a harder experience” than cutting that road.The Lincoln’s had left Kentucky because of poor land titles and property line disputes. Thomas had actually lost 3 farms. Thomas knew that Indiana had been surveyed and platted by the US Government so land disputes were very rare. Indiana was laid out in 40 acre sections. Thomas came earlier in the year and laid claim to 4 sections for a total of 160 acres. Indiana was the first state to be platted and sold by the government.

History Highlights for Reflection Tour:

Read text above and then continue with the following History Highlight.
Within days of the Lincoln’s arrival, Indiana achieved statehood and became the 19th state in the Union on December 11, 1816. The knoll that Thomas Lincoln picked for the homesite was an excellent spot, allowing the cabin to stay dry during the rainy season. Just West of the cabin site was a living spring of water. Abraham recollected later in life that after reaching Indiana “an axe was put in his hands at once; he was almost constantly handling that most useful instrument.” The Lincoln’s quickly began to carve a life for themselves out of the wilderness. Lincoln in later years stated that that time period “was one of the most arduous bits of work I did in my youth.”

Highlight Questions

• Student Photographers and Videographers capture still photos and/or video of the site.

• Student Journalist an Interview Question while On The Move to the next stop: “What was difficult about your move?” “What was difficult about your challenge?” “What did you learn about new things.” What did you learn about yourself?"