The Story of Lincoln and Watermelons

On August 27, 1853, at 10:00 a.m. a sale of lots for a new town took place near what is now the corner of Broadway and Sangamon streets. It brought many buyers from Springfield, among them was Abraham Lincoln. Ninety lots were sold the first day. Sale prices varied from $40 to $150. The total proceeds were approximately $6,000 on land that cost about $8.00 an acre. The highest priced lots faced Chicago Street and the tracks.

Attending the lot sale besides Abraham Lincoln were a thirteen year old boy named John S. Stevens; Virgil Hickox, Thad Davis a tavern keeper; George and James Glen, Merchants; Dr. Patterson from Middletown; and Henry Snyder from nearby Rocky Ford. He had a wagon loaded with watermelon. Latham and Gillett also attended along with numerous citizens from Postville.

Abraham Lincoln was requested by a promoter of the enterprise to christen the town site. The Christening Ceremony was short. Lincoln lifted the cover from the pile of melons Mr. Snyder had removed from his wagon and placed upon the ground near a stack of lumber in the area which was destined to become the "Christening Site". He selected a melon which he considered appropriate for the ceremony.

Later the Stevens boy recalled it. "We were all seated on the several lumber piles. For Myself, I had selected the end of a projecting board which would spring nicely with my weight and near where Mr. Lincoln stood. He opened the melon with his pocket knife which just reached well through the rind, running all around, bumped the melon on the lumber, it opened nicely with all the core on one side. He cut this core, squeezed the water into a tin cup saying, 'Gentlemen, I am requested by the proprietors of the town site to christen it. I have selected the juice of a melon for that purpose, pouring it on the ground. Therefore, in your presence and hearing, I now christen this town site. Its name is Lincoln and soon to be named the permanent capital of Logan County. I have also prepared a feast for the occasion. Pulling the wagon cover from the of melons, he took one half of the melon he had opened for christening, laid it on the board before me saying, The youngest American on the ground shall feast with me on the christening melon. Picking up the other half he pointed to the pile and said, "Gentlemen, help yourself."

Written by Bobbi Abbott