| Lincoln State Park, Indiana, USA | |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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| Location | Spencer County, Indiana, USA |
| Nearest city | Lincoln City, Indiana |
| Area | 1,747 acres (7.07 km2) |
| Established | 1932 |
| Visitors | 238,147 (in 2003-2004) |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Lincoln State Park is an Indiana state park. It is 34 miles (55 km) east of Evansville, IN.
Lincoln State Park is located in southern Indiana in Spencer County approximately 35 miles (56 km) east of Evansville. The park was established in 1932 and encompasses 1,747 acres (7.07 km2). There are 10 miles (16 km) of trails in the park. Many of the recreational facilities found within the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The park was originally established as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, whose gravesite is now contained within the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. The family of Abraham Lincoln lived in Spencer County for 14 years from 1816 to 1830. Lincoln State Park contains numerous sites significant to this period.
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Within the park's boundaries is the gravesite of Abraham Lincoln's sister, Sarah Lincoln-Grigsby, located in a small cemetery next to the Little Pigeon Baptist Church. Thomas Lincoln was a trustee of the Primitive Baptist church. Thomas and Abraham Lincoln helped to construct the original church and the family occasionally attended services there. The current structure is part of the state park and contains a cornerstone from the original church. A congregation no longer worships there.
Also within the park are the Noah Gordon home and mill sites. Noah Gordon was a neighbor of the Lincoln family and maintained a small grain mill. Abraham Lincoln spent many hours waiting his turn to mill grain here. Young Abraham Lincoln is said to have been "killed for a while" when he was kicked in the head by his horse milling grain at Gordon's mill.
Young Abraham Lincoln worked for James Gentry at his general store. The home site of James Gentry is located within Lincoln State Park off of trail 3. Abraham Lincoln took a flatboat trip to New Orleans, leaving from Rockport, to sell goods for Gentry. It was on this trip to New Orleans that Lincoln first witnesses slavery.
The park also includes the restored Col. William Jones Home near Gentryville. Col. Jones was a merchant, farmer, politician, and Union Colonel during the American Civil War. The home was built around 1834 and the farm contained a general store where Abraham Lincoln was also employed. Born in Vincennes in 1803, Jones settled in Spencer County in 1828. Jones and his wife, Rachel, raised five sons on this farm. The home is open for tours, including a restored log barn. The home is located 1/4 mile west of Gentryville on Boone Street.
Within Lincoln State Park is the Lincoln Amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is a state-of-the-art covered outdoor theatre that was constructed in 1987 and began producting "Young Abe Lincoln" that year. After being closed in 2005, "LINCOLN: Upon The Altar of Freedom" premiered in June 2009 for the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. The play returned for a second year in June 2010 and introduced the new "Concert in the Park" which features cast members singing some of the most popular songs and hymns during Lincoln's life following each nightly performance. "LINCOLN" will be back for a third season in 2011.
Seasonal programs are offered at the Lincoln Interpretive Center, the park's nature center, which also features natural history exhibits.
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