The assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, was a defining moment in history. All over the United States (and the world) there are museums, graves, buildings and sites that are, in some way, connected to this defining event. What follows is the beginning of an ongoing project to document and map the countless sites that have some relevance to Lincoln’s assassination. The sites may be big and notable like Ford’s Theatre, small and peripheral like a hotel a conspirator stayed at, or may merely note a museum that currently owns an artifact related to the assassination. Different maps will be created for different regions of the U.S. along with an international map to show the global impact of Lincoln’s assassination. Maps will be continually updated with new locations and sites as research continues.
I have gone through and added the GPS coordinates for every site marked on the maps. This is not only for posterity’s sake, but also serves to improve the functionality of the maps themselves. Practically every “smart” cell phone built today has the capability of providing driving directions. With the GPS coordinates included in the description for every Lincoln assassination site, all you have to do is click the place you want to visit on my map, copy the GPS coordinates, and direct your phone or GPS device to give you directions there.
I am hoping these maps will prove helpful in not only documenting places of historic interest, but will also work as a guide for those who want to visit the sites in person.
- On the top right hand corner of each map is an icon which looks like a frame. If you click that, it will open a larger version of the map in Google Maps. This provides an easier view where you can also switch between “earth” (aerial) and “map” view. The earth view is default as it is helpful in visited sites like cemeteries.
- Be sure to zoom in on an area of interest. Nearby markers can often hide behind each other if you are zoomed out too far.
- Use the earth view when viewing grave sites and utilize the GPS coordinates. In most cases, the markers on the map correspond to the exact location of the grave in the cemetery. When the exact location is not known, the marker has been placed at the entrance to the cemetery.
- If you plan on visiting the museums and cemeteries on these maps, always look up the days and hours of operation before you go. Also, many Lincoln assassination artifacts in museum collections are in storage and/or not available for viewing without a prearranged appointment. Do your homework if there’s something you really want to see.
- The places that are public or limited access/view sites are best visited by driving (or walking) by the location and taking a picture. Do not trespass on private lands.
These maps are works in progress and are always being added to. Check back continually to see what new sites have been added. If you have a suggestion for a site that should be added to a map, please comment below with the name of the site, its significance to the Lincoln assassination, and its address or GPS coordinates.
Blue = Museums and libraries
Green = Historical markers and sites
Orange = Public access/view sites
Yellow = Limited access/view sites
White = Graves
Red = No public access/view sites
D.C., Maryland, and the Northern Neck of Virginia
These maps are for educational use only and can not be reproduced without permission.