Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
3 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
4 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
5 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Illinois Springfield Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

When you visit his grave, be sure to rub the Great Emancipator's nose for good luck.

Springfield, Illinois

Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Lincoln Tomb   aliciaerickson
Lincoln Tomb   aliciaerickson
Lincoln Tomb   aliciaerickson
Lincoln Tomb   aliciaerickson
Lincoln’s sarcophagus   Rklawton on Wikipedia
  TaunyaD / Atlas Obscura User
  TaunyaD / Atlas Obscura User
  TaunyaD / Atlas Obscura User
Sign   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Lincoln’s tomb   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Statue of Lincoln’s head   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  pschmidt864 / Atlas Obscura User
  pschmidt864 / Atlas Obscura User
9-16-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  pschmidt864 / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
9-16-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
9-16-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Mary Todd Lincoln   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Lincoln’s tomb   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Statue inside   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  pschmidt864 / Atlas Obscura User
9-16-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Lincoln’s Grave   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The exterior of the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois (United States).   Michael Barera / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

As the president with arguably the most monuments, tributes, statues, and memorials in American history, it is no surprise that Abraham Lincoln's Tomb is a grand piece of work. What is a bit surprising however is the odd compulsion to rub the 16th president's nose for good luck that seems to come over visitors to his gravesite.

Finished in 1874, the towering tomb comprises a tall central tower atop the squat mausoleum building that holds the president's remains, all made of the same brilliant granite. Four large bronze statues indicating the four branches of the military (at the time Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, and Navy) surround the central obelisk each featuring ornate stonework at their bases as well. At the foot of the tomb is a large bronze replica of Lincoln's head, cast from the bronze statue at the capitol. It is the nose of this replica bust that visitors have taken to rubbing for good luck, buffing the schnoz to a golden shine. No one is quite sure how this superstitious habit began, but today thousands of visitors from across the country make a special point to rub the nose of the man who ended the Civil War.

In addition to President Lincoln the tomb holds the bodies of his wife and three of his children in stone vaults. Lincoln was once kept in an underground tomb after a pair of criminal masterminds attempted to steal his bones for ransom.  After moving the President's remains several times they were finally buried in a vault ten feet below ground, contained in a wood box, wrapped in a steel cage, and covered over with Portland cement.  Per Robert Lincoln's instructions the remains lie a few feet behind, and about ten feet below, the large granite marker in the sarcophagus chamber.

Visitors to the grave can enter the tomb to take a peek at Lincoln's enviable coffin, but trying to rub it is probably bad luck. Stick to the nose.  

Related Tags

Presidents Tombs Abe Day

Community Contributors

Edited By

BookwormHistory, EricGrundhauser, TaunyaD, Michael Barera...

  • BookwormHistory
  • EricGrundhauser
  • TaunyaD
  • Michael Barera
  • Darrell Powers
  • SemiruralYeti
  • pschmidt864
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

April 14, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Tomb
  • http://www.illinois.gov/ihpa/Experience/Sites/Central/Pages/Lincoln-Tomb.aspx
  • Craughwell, Thomas J. "Stealing Lincoln's Body". Harvard University Press, 2007. Print.
Lincoln Tomb
1500 Monument Avenue
Springfield, Illinois, 62702
United States
39.823214, -89.655818
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Mr. Accordion's Grave

Springfield, Illinois

miles away

Abraham Lincoln's Receiving Vault

Springfield, Illinois

miles away

Proud Raven Totem Pole

Springfield, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Springfield

Springfield

Illinois

Places 7

Nearby Places

Mr. Accordion's Grave

Springfield, Illinois

miles away

Abraham Lincoln's Receiving Vault

Springfield, Illinois

miles away

Proud Raven Totem Pole

Springfield, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Springfield

Springfield

Illinois

Places 7

Related Stories and Lists

13 Places to Get Some Good Luck

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

20 Statues to Rub for Good Luck

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

Which States Have the Most Dead Presidents?

graveyards

By Frank Jacobs

15 Unlikely Places to Re-Up Your Luck

List

By Kavya Ram Mohan

100 Wonders: The Middle Finger of Modernity

relics

By Dylan Thuras

Related Places

  • Lilongwe, Malawi

    Hastings Kamuzu Banda Mausoleum

    In Malawi, this is where the lion sleeps tonight.

  • President’s Room.

    Jerusalem, Israel

    President's Room

    On holy holidays, Israel's second president used this room atop Mount Zion as a refuge to read the Torah.

  • Graffiti from 1861.

    Alexandria, Virginia

    Civil War Graffiti at Washington's Tomb

    The tomb was guarded by soldiers from both sides of the war, and some left their initials carved in the brick.

  • The Receiving Vault

    Springfield, Illinois

    Abraham Lincoln's Receiving Vault

    The original vault that held the president's remains still stands, empty, not far from where he was finally buried.

  • Behind the stone is a glass jar with Civil War mementos and soldiers’ names

    Lewistown, Pennsylvania

    Soldiers and Sailors Monument

    A small granite block at this monument's base is the only part of Lincoln's Tomb outside of Illinois.

  • William McKinley Memorial

    Canton, Ohio

    William McKinley Memorial

    The 25th President's marble casket can be visited in this classical Ohio tomb.

  • Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

    Lincoln City, Indiana

    Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

    The farm where one of America's greatest leaders was raised is now a well-appointed landmark.

  • Lincoln Highway Memorial

    Laramie, Wyoming

    Lincoln Highway Monument

    The high point on the 16th president's eponymous roadway is marked by a massive version of his head.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.