Lincoln's Ghost in Springfield, Illinois?

Josephine Edwards


Someone recently asked me why I hadn't written more about Abraham Lincoln's ghost in Springfield, IL; after all there is a long-standing tradition that Mr. Lincoln still walks the streets of his old hometown. My obsession with Lincoln is well-known in certain circles and, coupled with my love of ghosts and legends, you'd think I'd have done this long ago. I've tried but it's been complicated because, frankly, I don't believe Abe's hanging around anywhere near Springfield!

Oh John, you may ask, what about the stories at the Lincoln sites that claim otherwise? Well, yes, there are ghost stories about Lincoln's old stomping grounds. They've spawned books, ghost tours and legends but I always suggest people take a second look at the reports. Doing so shines a different light on the subject.

"It is portentous, and a thing of state
That here at midnight, in our little town
A mourning figure walks, and will not rest,
Near the old court-house pacing up and down..."Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight (In Springfield, Illinois)
by Nicholas Vachel Lindsay

That's what started all this. A poem by Vachel Lindsay that describes Lincoln, unable to sleep in the tomb because of war. The president restlessly wanders the streets wondering,in essence, "Didn't we put an end to this in my day?"

There weren't ghost stories about Lincoln before Lindsay penned this poem in 1914 but now Abe's seen on every corner! Or at least people say he is. Frankly I can't find one reliable source that backs up this claim. I can, however, find intriguing stories that suggest some ghost activity occurs, or has occurred, in and around the places Lincoln knew.

I'd like to quickly discuss some well-known places. When I've done this in the past I've met with some opposition from people who work at these sites because they don't believe their buildings are full of ghosts. They might be right, especially when it comes to Lincoln's old home. I respect these people, I know many of them but the stories are there so let's examine them.

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site: Lincoln came to New Salem in 1831. The village was a rough frontier settlement on the northern edge of civilisation. He stayed until 1837 at which time he relocated to Springfield. In those years Lincoln transformed himself from uneducated manual laborer to up-and-coming lawyer and politician. The village disappeared shortly after he left (this, despite the mythic implications, had nothing to do with Lincoln departing...the town was in it's death throes in 1832 when they realized river travel on the Sangamon wasn't going to work and people began to leave for greener pastures). I've written a detailed account of New Salem and it's ghosts in an article posted in the first series of links at the bottom of this blog.
The ghosts reported at New Salem (and I've heard these stories since I was a kid) suggest that a man, I believe to be resident Jack Kelso, and a woman I suggest might be Elizabeth Herndon still roam the grounds and make periodic appearances. There are those who suggest otherwise but, if the place is haunted, those are my favorite candidates.

Old State Capital and Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices: Although people have reported odd activity at these sites from time to time there is nothing to suggest to me that either of these places are haunted by anyone, especially Mr. Lincoln. My question to you, why would you spend eternity prowling around your workplace?

The Lincoln Tomb: Again, a detailed account is listed in the links below. This is the site of the very first Lincoln ghost story. For several years Lincoln and his sons lay in a temporary vault on a hillside north of the present structure while the permanent tomb was being constructed. Travelers on a nearby railroad began to report the glowing blue figure of Lincoln walking between the two tombs. Why? I can't say. Lincoln was a curious man, maybe he was checking on the progress of his final resting place. When the bodies were moved into the permanent tomb these ghostly sightings stopped.
There are those who,even today, report odd sounds and eerie voices coming from within the tomb. Having volunteered there in the 1980's I can tell you first hand that sound carries through those marble halls and could easily be mistaken for otherworldly events. Once I (and another worker) crawled up into the foundations of the tomb. We made our way back to the vaults that hold Mrs. Lincoln and three of the Lincoln sons. We stood there a few minutes talking about the construction and then climbed out.
One of our co-workers met us, laughing. It seems two visitors had reported bits of muffled conversation coming from within the walls of the burial chamber! We hadn't taken into account the air vents and our (we thought) quiet conversation was drifting into the room on the other side! It was inadvertent and it still serves as a reminder to me to be careful during investigations. What you're hearing may not always be what you think you're hearing!
Is the Lincoln Tomb haunted? I don't think so. There may be some residual energy there from the millions of people who have visited but you're not likely to find a ghost prowling it's hallways.

And now...the most legendary "haunted" Lincoln site...

The Lincoln Home: There are many accounts of ghostly activity in Lincoln's old house. Lincoln, himself, has been reported. Odd photographs have been taken, staff members have reported strange activity and many visitors have encountered a woman who seems to be cleaning the house. At least they did until a major restoration in the mid-80's seems to have put a stop to the activity.
The stories are interesting though. The odd Lincoln sighting not withstanding, there may have once been some legitimate hauntings going on here but it seems the restoration may have put an end to them.
Now, official National Park Service dogma says there are no ghosts here. It's not the story the NPS wants to tell so guides, when asked, politely brush the questions off. I actually agree with this. It's not rude, it's just not part of the program. I always encourage people to visit historic sites but leave these poor people alone when it comes to ghosts! I'm telling you, they don't want to talk about it!
The most believable stories that have come from the house suggest to me it was a woman who haunted the place. Mary Lincoln! Let's not be too hasty. Mary Lincoln owned the house until her death in 1882 at her sister's home a few blocks away. She couldn't go back to her old home, there are no reports that I know of that she even visited it again. It was just too painful. So why would she spend eternity there? I don't think she did.
The most interesting accounts I've heard report a woman who seems to be cleaning the house. A caretaker. While several suggestions have been put forward as to her identity, my favorite candidate is a woman named Josephine Edwards.
Albert Edwards was Mary Lincoln's nephew, he married Josephine in 1876. After a series of troublesome tenants Robert Todd Lincoln eventually had his cousin Albert placed in the Lincoln Home as custodian. Albert died suddenly in 1915 (at the house) and Josephine was left to carry on. She was meticulous in her care of the home and fiercely protective of the Lincoln legacy. She, herself, worked in the house until her own death. Her tenure was the highest point in the home's post-Lincoln history until the NPS converted the entire neighborhood into a National Park (it's endeavors to improve the site are on-going and impressive). I believe she stayed behind to keep an eye on the place.
As stated, in the 80's the house was, basically, dismantled and reconstructed to ensure it would be around for another few generations of visitors. Most ghost accounts come from before this restoration. I think Mrs. Edwards was pleased and no longer felt the need to hang around and so...she moved on.
The house sits quiet now. People still report things from time-to-time but it's nothing like the building's ghostly heyday and I believe many of these modern accounts (curtains moving and the like) can be attributed to simple misunderstandings.

Abe Lincoln is one ghost I'd love to encounter. He may haunt the White House, those stories seem pretty solid (considering they come from presidents and world leaders like Winston Churchill) but Springfield? Sadly I don't think he's here. I encourage you all to visit these sites (and can't stress enough...don't ask about ghosts!) and take from them the power of the Lincoln story. It's enough to know he once walked here and, yes, as Vachel suggests, "He lingers where his children used to play..." but not in ghostly form, in the minds of those of us who revere the man.