Oak Ridge Cemetery

Oak Ridge Cemetery is a public burial ground in Springfield, Illinois, that spreads across gentle hills along Spring Creek. The grounds hold graves from different eras, including several tall monuments and mausoleums scattered among lawns and mature trees.

The burial ground opened in 1860 to provide the growing city with a modern cemetery following the rural cemetery design movement. President Lincoln's interment in 1865 and the subsequent construction of his tomb brought national attention to the site.

The cemetery takes its name from the old oak trees that grew on the site before it opened and still line many of the pathways today. Local residents visit regularly for walks and treat it as a quiet public park in the northern part of town.

Visitors will find maps at the entrance and at several points throughout the grounds to help navigate between different sections. The pathways are mostly paved or graded, allowing travel on foot or by car through the site.

The Lincoln tomb sits on a hill at the end of a straight drive and can be seen from a distance, while many other historic graves rest in quieter areas away from the main routes. The cemetery also holds the burial sites of several Illinois governors and other political figures from the 19th century.

Location: Springfield

Inception: 1855

Address: Monument Avenue

Opening Hours: April-August: 07:00-20:00, September-March: 07:00-17:00

GPS coordinates: 39.82361,-89.65778

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:56