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Lincoln returns
to Gettysburg, Ohio
Walk, or ride into history with President Abraham Lincoln on the 150th
anniversary of the Lincoln Funeral Train passing through Gettysburg,
Ohio. Saturday, April 18, 10 AM – 4 PM and Sunday, April 19, 9 AM
– 3 PM, the Darke County Park District is hosting the Lincoln Funeral
Train Tribute. The very railroad corridor where Lincoln’s Funeral
Train passed in 1865 is now the head of the Tecumseh Trail, the Darke
County Park’s paved, multi-use trail. Come and ride your bikes,
walk or horseback ride (on the grassy sides of the trail) and enjoy
other free educational opportunities, rain or shine.
The 35th Light Infantry, a Civil War re-enactment educational group
will be there both Saturday and Sunday with a bang, as they are
bringing their cannon. They’ll also be bringing the cavalry
(horses), the signal corp (how they transmitted messages on the
battlefield) and first aid wagons. This educational group will be there
to share history and information and do special programs at 11 AM and 1
PM both days. Additionally, they will do a special program on
Saturday at 3 PM.
On Sunday only, we are welcoming a Lincoln impersonator from the Dayton
Lincoln Society. You and your children will enjoy exploring
Lincoln’s childhood at noon, and at 2 PM, he will share an overview of
the Civil War and Gettsyburg PA.
Other activities include a chaplain with a non-denominational service
on Sunday 9 AM. A Lincoln look-alike contest will be held for
both children and adults at 11:45 AM on Sunday. A child’s craft
activity of making Lincoln top hats will be provided. Maps with
distances will be available for riders or walkers on the trail, as well
as outlying areas of interest. All educational programs
will be in the tent at the trail head on Bridge Street in Gettysburg
Hot chocolate will be provided courtesy of John’s IGA Versailles, water
will be available thanks to the Friends of Darke Co. Parks and Bears
Mill will be providing the coffee. There is no charge for this
great family event. The Cardinal Center group in Gettysburg will
have food available for a fee.
The Lincoln Funeral Train stopped in Bradford to resupply with fuel and
water on April 30, 1865. A number of citizens were allowed on the
funeral car to pay their respects. The train then
entered Gettysburg at 1:10 AM and then went on to Greenville at 1:36
AM. Greenville held a memorial where 500 people gathered at the
station.
The Tecumseh trail has been provided primarily with Clean Ohio grant
funds, beginning in 2009 with a 1 mile stretch. It now extends 9 ½
miles with more trail length planned. Other sponsors of the trail
include Greenville Federal, Greenville National, Second National and
Whirlpool Corporation. Special thanks to Jim Surber, County
Engineer for his work on the trails.
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