Great Western Depot
Great Western Depot
4.1
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.1
81 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
30
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,432 contributions
Oct 2020
The Great Western Depot in Springfield, Illinois, more commonly known as the Lincoln Depot, is often overlooked amid all of the Lincoln historical sites situated in the Sangamon County area. It shouldn't be. The railway station, which was built by the Great Western Railroad in 1852, is the site of Abraham Lincoln's memorable farewell address to friends and citizens before leaving on his journey to Washington DC to become the 16th president of the United States. Belatedly, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. Located at 930 East Monroe Street, at 10th and Monroe Streets, two blocks from the Lincoln home, the building has been renovated, remodeled and restored, survived a fire and served as a passenger station, warehouse, storage space, law office, classroom and museum. On a dark, gloomy morning in 1861, an estimated crowd of 1,000 people assembled at the station to see Lincoln off. As the train pulled in, Lincoln mounted the rear platform. He said: "I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon (George) Washington." In 1865, his body arrived at the station en route to burial at Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. Today, the depot serves as a museum with displays of Lincoln artifacts relating to his 1860 presidential campaign, his 1861 departure and farewell address. A video, narrated by Scott Simon, which describes Lincoln's 12-day journey to Washington DC, is shown on the second floor. As with every Lincoln site in the Springfield area, it is a very poignant and moving experience.
Written November 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valliam13
Sorrento, FL422 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
I’m disappointed the inside is closed currently due to COVID but the law office that shares the building says to call weekly and see if they reopen. There are some plaques be lyes around the building so it’s worth the 5 minute stop if you’re in the area. There’s lots of quick history here.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreamer782083
16 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
This is a very small site with a few exhibits and an older film available for viewing. It is not a staffed location in the museum area. You park on the street, walk in and look around. Even watching the film, it is a 15-20 minute visit. There's not a lot to see here, but it is historically significant and interesting for that reason.
Written March 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeffBreedlove
Atlanta, GA4,640 contributions
Jun 2019
This is where Lincoln departed Springfield and headed to DC - it is full of Presidential history. We went by, found a parking spot, and took some photos - they have two free flyers on a sign out front and it is, as you would expect, literally next to the train tracks.
There is a cool sign on the building next door which also makes a good photo.
If you are into Presidential history, this is a must visit.
Go Enjoy!
There is a cool sign on the building next door which also makes a good photo.
If you are into Presidential history, this is a must visit.
Go Enjoy!
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob P
Saint Paul, MN309 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
This is the depot from which LIncoln departed Springfield to assume the office of the Presidency. There is a nice video on a continuous loop in what would have been the men's waiting room. There are only two rooms available for viewing, the top two floors are office space.This is not be confused with the depot where Lincoln's funeral train arrived (now the Amtrak station) nor the Union depot which currently has displays of custumes and props from the recent Speilberg movie "Lincoln:.
Written July 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wildmutto
mpls,mn82 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
The Lincoln Depot is the site of the Springfeld farewell address. Be sure to visit on a day that Mr. Lincoln attends to read his speech. The depot is small, but has a decent selection of historical photos and information. The site is free to visit, and metered parking is available on the street.
Written July 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard W
Dallas, TX1,946 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This historic location of Abe Lincoln's final farewell to Springfield residents is free and worthwhile to visit. A few minutes of serious history. Thank you to the lawyer who owns the building and keeps it available for citizens to experience.
Written July 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2again
Chatham, IL722 contributions
May 2014 • Family
The loneliest park ranger used to work this venue. I've walked past it more times than I can count and NOBODY was touring it. When I did go inside, the ranger was happy to see us and shared his knowledge of this historical spot where the Lincolns bid farewell to Springfield to take on the presidency in D.C.. I believe it houses a law office at this time which is great because it deserves to have some life in it.
Written April 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry K
Nebraska394 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
It is a small but interesting depot to explore, free of charge, and graciously kept up by a local law firm. The few displays are first-rate and it is worth your while to visit. However, we did have difficulty in finding this depot, as it does not appear to be correctly situated on some of the free maps given out in the area. If you go by the actual address, you should find it easily enough.
Written October 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bill925
Madison, AL419 contributions
Nov 2012
I enjoy historic sites and this is one you must see while in Springfield. There is so much history in Springfield, and so many places to see. The Depot is worth the visit.
Written December 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the closest parking to this? We will not yet have checked into our hotel for the day and want to catch this while it is still open to the inside (we arrive on a Friday)?
Written July 16, 2016
You can easily park on the street.
Written July 22, 2016
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