The Trail of Twelve Stones
First, what is the Trail of Twelve Stones?
The trail of Twelve Stones is a trail at the Lincoln Boyhood National Park. As you walk the trail you might feel like you are in a timeline of important Lincoln places. You can find out more about who built the trail and why at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial website.
When I have hiked the trail, I have like to read the plaques and read about the important events that went on in Lincoln's life. I also like visiting the different places where the stones came from.
In October of 2011, while I was hiking the trail with my mother and grandparents, I decided to take pictures of the stones. Then Mom and I thought, "Wouldn't it be a fun project to visit some of these places?" So that's what I have done.
Scroll down this page to learn more about the places represented by the 12 stones and those I have visited from the Trail of Twelve Stones.
The trail of Twelve Stones is a trail at the Lincoln Boyhood National Park. As you walk the trail you might feel like you are in a timeline of important Lincoln places. You can find out more about who built the trail and why at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial website.
When I have hiked the trail, I have like to read the plaques and read about the important events that went on in Lincoln's life. I also like visiting the different places where the stones came from.
In October of 2011, while I was hiking the trail with my mother and grandparents, I decided to take pictures of the stones. Then Mom and I thought, "Wouldn't it be a fun project to visit some of these places?" So that's what I have done.
Scroll down this page to learn more about the places represented by the 12 stones and those I have visited from the Trail of Twelve Stones.
Information on the Trail of Twelve Stones was taken from the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial document The Lincoln Notebook.
The Trail of Twelve Stones connects the homesite of Abraham Lincoln's youth with the pioneer cemetery where his mother, Nancy hanks Lincoln, lies buried. The stones were obtained and placed by the Indiana Lincoln Union in 1933. Beginning just east of the Cabin Site Memorial on the Thomas Lincoln Farm, the stones are arranged in chronological order at irregular intervals along the trail. They commemorate major events in Lincoln's life and career. At each site along the trail, a small bronze tablet briefly explains the events associated with the memorial stone. (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
Follow the trail below.
The Trail of Twelve Stones connects the homesite of Abraham Lincoln's youth with the pioneer cemetery where his mother, Nancy hanks Lincoln, lies buried. The stones were obtained and placed by the Indiana Lincoln Union in 1933. Beginning just east of the Cabin Site Memorial on the Thomas Lincoln Farm, the stones are arranged in chronological order at irregular intervals along the trail. They commemorate major events in Lincoln's life and career. At each site along the trail, a small bronze tablet briefly explains the events associated with the memorial stone. (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
Follow the trail below.
Stone 1: Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace in Kentucky
The first stone originates from the traditional birthplace of Abraham Lincoln on the Sinking Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky, where he was born on Sunday, February 12, 1809.
The plaque reads: This stone from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville, Ky., where he was born February 12, 1809. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I visited the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park with my mom on March 23, 2012.
The plaque reads: This stone from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville, Ky., where he was born February 12, 1809. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I visited the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park with my mom on March 23, 2012.
Stone 2: Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood Home in Indiana
The second stone is the original Indiana cabin site marker which was donated by the citizens of Spencer County. This stone memorializes young Abraham's 14 boyhood years in Indiana.
The plaque reads: From 1917 to 1934, this stone marked the site of the cabin a few hundred feet west of here where Lincoln lived the impressionable years of his life between the ages of seven and twenty-one. (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have visited the Lincoln Boyhood National Monument many times because I only live about 10 miles from it. I visited on October 22, 2011 and took pictures of the 12 stones, and I visited again on June 11, 2012, just to take pictures for my project.
The plaque reads: From 1917 to 1934, this stone marked the site of the cabin a few hundred feet west of here where Lincoln lived the impressionable years of his life between the ages of seven and twenty-one. (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have visited the Lincoln Boyhood National Monument many times because I only live about 10 miles from it. I visited on October 22, 2011 and took pictures of the 12 stones, and I visited again on June 11, 2012, just to take pictures for my project.
Stone 3: Colonel William Jones' Store, Jonesboro, Indiana
The third stone comes from the foundation of the William Jones store where the teenaged Lincoln worked as a clerk. The store was located three miles west of here and seven tenths of a mile west of Gentryville, Indiana.
The plaque reads: This rock was part of the Jones Store at Jonesboro, 3 miles west of here, associated with Lincoln's early manhood. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
The store isn't there anymore, but Colonel Jones' home is part of the Lincoln State Park. I have never had the chance to see inside, but I visited there to get some pictures for my project on June 11, 2012.
The plaque reads: This rock was part of the Jones Store at Jonesboro, 3 miles west of here, associated with Lincoln's early manhood. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
The store isn't there anymore, but Colonel Jones' home is part of the Lincoln State Park. I have never had the chance to see inside, but I visited there to get some pictures for my project on June 11, 2012.
Stone 4: Vincennes Sun Newspaper, Vincennes, Indiana
The fourth stone was part of the foundation of the Vincennes Sun Newspaper in Vincennes, Indiana, where Lincoln first viewed a printing press. The Lincoln family stopped in Vincennes during their move to Illinois in early March 1830.
The plaque reads: This stone from the foundation of the Western Sun and General Advertisement, Vincennes, Indiana, where Abraham Lincoln, en route to Illinois from Indiana in march of 1830, first saw a printing press. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
The Vincennes Sun building no longer exists and there isn't a historical marker there that we could find on our visit on May 23, 2011, but we did visit the bridge over the Wabash River where the Lincoln family is said to have crossed from Indiana to Illinois in 1830. It's right near the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, which has nothing to do with Abraham Lincoln but is a cool place to visit anyway. I think this is a weird stone to include, but no one asked me. I also think Vincennes should at least have a marker where the building was or something since it's on the Trail of 12 Stones. But, like I said before, no one asked me.
The plaque reads: This stone from the foundation of the Western Sun and General Advertisement, Vincennes, Indiana, where Abraham Lincoln, en route to Illinois from Indiana in march of 1830, first saw a printing press. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
The Vincennes Sun building no longer exists and there isn't a historical marker there that we could find on our visit on May 23, 2011, but we did visit the bridge over the Wabash River where the Lincoln family is said to have crossed from Indiana to Illinois in 1830. It's right near the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, which has nothing to do with Abraham Lincoln but is a cool place to visit anyway. I think this is a weird stone to include, but no one asked me. I also think Vincennes should at least have a marker where the building was or something since it's on the Trail of 12 Stones. But, like I said before, no one asked me.
Stone 5: Berry-Lincoln Store, New Salem, Illinois
The fifth stone was a gift of the Illinois Department of Conservation from the foundation of the Berry-Lincoln store in New Salem, Illinois. In 1832, Lincoln bought a half-interest in the store and went into business with William Berry.
The plaque reads: This stone was part of the foundation of the Berry-Lincoln store at New Salem, Ill. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I got to visit Springfield, Illinois, and New Salem with my mom on Memorial Day weekend, 2012. There are two Berry-Lincoln stores there but the first one was just a log cabin. The second one was a regular building so that's probably where the stone came from.
I think it's weird that the Lincoln Home in Springfield isn't on the Trail of 12 Stones. But as usual no one asked me.
The plaque reads: This stone was part of the foundation of the Berry-Lincoln store at New Salem, Ill. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I got to visit Springfield, Illinois, and New Salem with my mom on Memorial Day weekend, 2012. There are two Berry-Lincoln stores there but the first one was just a log cabin. The second one was a regular building so that's probably where the stone came from.
I think it's weird that the Lincoln Home in Springfield isn't on the Trail of 12 Stones. But as usual no one asked me.
Stone 6: Mary Todd Lincoln House, Lexington, Kentucky
The sixth stone is comprised of four bricks set in concrete. The bricks were brought from Lexington, Kentucky, the home of Mary Todd, the wife of Abraham Lincoln. The bricks were donated by the mayor of Lexington.
The plaque reads: These bricks from the Lexington, Kentucky home of Mary Todd who was married to Lincoln November 4, 1842. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I haven't had a chance to visit the Mary Todd Lincoln house yet. I wonder what the bricks came from?
The plaque reads: These bricks from the Lexington, Kentucky home of Mary Todd who was married to Lincoln November 4, 1842. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I haven't had a chance to visit the Mary Todd Lincoln house yet. I wonder what the bricks came from?
Stone 7: The White House, Washington, D.C.
The seventh stone is from the White House in Washington, D.C. Abraham Lincoln Lived there as President from march 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865.
The plaque reads: This stone was part of the White House in Washington, D.C., where President and Mrs. Lincoln lived from March 4, 1861 until his death April 15, 1865. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have not been to the White House yet but I bet it would be fun to see it.
The plaque reads: This stone was part of the White House in Washington, D.C., where President and Mrs. Lincoln lived from March 4, 1861 until his death April 15, 1865. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have not been to the White House yet but I bet it would be fun to see it.
Stone 8: Lincoln's Summer White House, Washington, D.C.
The eighth stone is from the Anderson Cottage at the National Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C. There, Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation in September of 1862.
The plaque reads: This stone from the Anderson Cottage, National Soldiers' Home, Washington, D.C., where President Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation September 22, 1862. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have never been to the Anderson Cottage but I hope I will get to visit it sometime.
The plaque reads: This stone from the Anderson Cottage, National Soldiers' Home, Washington, D.C., where President Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation September 22, 1862. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have never been to the Anderson Cottage but I hope I will get to visit it sometime.
Stone 9: Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania
The ninth stone came from the Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where Lincoln delivered his famous address on November 19, 1863. This stone was a gift of the War Department.
The plaque reads: This rock from where President Lincoln stood when he delivered the Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
A lot of people think Abraham Lincoln stood on this rock when he gave the Gettysburg Address, but he was standing on a platform. This rock just came from the battlefield.
I have never been to Gettysburg but I hope to go there this summer. I read a book once about Gettysburg called, My Brother's Keeper: Virginia's Civil War Diary about a girl who was at Gettysburg during the battle.
The plaque reads: This rock from where President Lincoln stood when he delivered the Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
A lot of people think Abraham Lincoln stood on this rock when he gave the Gettysburg Address, but he was standing on a platform. This rock just came from the battlefield.
I have never been to Gettysburg but I hope to go there this summer. I read a book once about Gettysburg called, My Brother's Keeper: Virginia's Civil War Diary about a girl who was at Gettysburg during the battle.
Stone 10: Old Capitol Building, Washington D.C.
The tenth stone was part of the Old Capitol building in Washington, D.C. There Lincoln made his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865. This well-known Lincoln speech includes these words: to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.
The plaque reads: This stone from the Old Capitol Building where Lincoln delivered his second Inaugural Address March 4, 1865. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have never been there but I would like to visit the Capitol Building. Barack Obama also was sworn in as president there but on different steps. I saw that on live stream online!
The plaque reads: This stone from the Old Capitol Building where Lincoln delivered his second Inaugural Address March 4, 1865. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have never been there but I would like to visit the Capitol Building. Barack Obama also was sworn in as president there but on different steps. I saw that on live stream online!
Stone 11: Petersen House, Washington, D. C.
The eleventh stone is a piece of an original pillar from the Petersen House in Washington, D.C., the house where Lincoln died. General U.S. Grant III donated the column section when he was in charge of the house. The pillar was cut from Seneca Creek sandstone quarried near Washington, D.C.
The plaque reads: This pillar from the original front porch of the house at 516 Tenth St., Washington, D.C., where President Lincoln died April 15, 1865. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have never been to the Petersen House. I'd like to visit there sometime because Lincoln died there.
The plaque reads: This pillar from the original front porch of the house at 516 Tenth St., Washington, D.C., where President Lincoln died April 15, 1865. Indiana Lincoln Union (from The Trail of Twelve Stones)
I have never been to the Petersen House. I'd like to visit there sometime because Lincoln died there.
Stone 12: Lincoln's Tomb, Springfield, Illinois
The twelfth stone is a block of granite, excess to the remodeling of the Lincoln Tomb at Springfield, Illinois. It is called the Culver Stone after the name of its donor, J.S. Culver, the contractor for the remodeling job, who had it carved as a memorial to Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. The Culver Stone was originally placed in front of the Nancy Hanks Lincoln headstone in the cemetery here. Dedicated October 1, 1902, the stone remained there until 1933 when it was moved to its present position to mark the end of the Trail of Twelve Stones.
The carving reads: Nancy Hanks Lincoln
The plaque reads:
In Memoriam
This stone from Lincoln's Tomb
in Springfield, Illinois,
Was presented by a grateful people
In tribute to his mother.
I have been to the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. When I went there there was this Lincoln head in front of the tomb. It said in a book about the tomb that everyday people polish his nose so they don't need to polish it. They also say that if you rub his nose it will give you good luck. When I tried to reach Lincoln's nose, I couldn't reach it because I was to short. Mom had to lift me up.
When we went inside there was a statue of Lincoln in the center. There were 2 ways you could go. One went right and the other went left. The 2 pathways lead to the back of he tomb where his wife (Mary Todd Lincoln) was buried and also 3 (Eddie, Willie, and Tad) of his 4 sons. Robert, the other son, was buried in Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
End of the Trail: Pioneer Cemetery.
At the end of the trail there is a cemetery where Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, is buried.
My 2012 4-H Project
I did a scrapbook of the Trail of Twelve Stones for 4-H. Here I am working on it.
Below you can see photos Mom took of the finished pages (some are pretty blurry - maybe we can get better ones soon.) I left room on the pages of places I haven't been yet.
Below you can see photos Mom took of the finished pages (some are pretty blurry - maybe we can get better ones soon.) I left room on the pages of places I haven't been yet.
It got Grand Champion in my county fair!
