Beneath the Lincoln Arch, imagine the somber scene of May 1, 1865. This wasn’t just any arch. The Lincoln Arch was a temporary monument. It was erected to honor a fallen president. That president was Abraham Lincoln. Chicago built this arch to receive Lincoln’s remains.
The Lincoln Arch stood at 12th Street in Grant Park. It was a grand, ornamental structure. Many women dressed in white lined the streets. They accompanied Lincoln’s hearse. The photo from that day captures a sea of white dresses.
As Lincoln’s casket passed under the Lincoln Arch, a band played “The Lincoln Requiem.” Thirty-six schoolgirls dressed in white placed garlands of white roses atop the casket. There were thirty-six states at the time of Lincoln’s death. Each rose symbolized a state in mourning.
The Lincoln Arch served as a poignant backdrop. It framed a nation’s grief. The arch was a symbol of unity. It was a symbol of remembrance. Though temporary, the Lincoln Arch left a lasting impression. It captured the hearts of Chicagoans. It captured the hearts of Americans.
We can almost hear the slow, mournful music. We can see the solemn faces. The Lincoln Arch, though no longer standing, exists in photographs. It exists in stories. It reminds us of a pivotal moment in history. It reminds us of Lincoln’s lasting legacy. It reminds us of a nation’s respect. It reminds us of a city’s tribute. The Lincoln Arch represents Chicago’s contribution. It represents Chicago’s remembrance of the President.