Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral in Cleveland

Side A: Abraham Lincoln visted Cleveland twice; once in life and the other in death. The first visit was on February 15-16, 1861, while in route to his presidential inauguration. The second, more solem visit was on April 28, 1865. Cleveland was one of twelve citiels to host a scheduled public viewing of the assassinated president’s remains. In addition to local officials, Lincoln’s cortege included a military escort of then current and former Union officers who were veterans of the Civil War. These officers would form the early membership of the organization known as the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. (continued on other side) Side B: Cleveland was unique in that the president’s body was placed in an open space within the Public Square under and elaborate pagota-style canopy with no walls or major obstructions. This enabled tens of thousands of people to view the remains. The site is directly in front of the north facade of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ adn Sailors’ Monunment (dedicated in 1894). At midnight, the casket was returned to the train, pulled by the locomotive “Nashville,” and continued the journey, arriving in Columbus on April 29.