THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ROOM
KENTUCKY ROOTS OF A PRESIDENT
Long before he became America’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln’s story began on the Kentucky frontier, just a short drive from Bardstown.
The stone memorial near Hodgenville, KY, marks the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
THE BEGINNING
Born in Kentucky
Lincoln is often associated with Illinois and Washington, D.C., but his story began in Kentucky. On February 12, 1809, he was born at Sinking Spring Farm near present-day Hodgenville in a one-room log cabin built by his father, Thomas Lincoln.
When Lincoln was about two years old, his family moved to nearby Knob Creek Farm. It was there that he spent much of his childhood and formed some of his earliest memories. The farm sat along a major frontier road where travelers, merchants and settlers regularly passed through, exposing Lincoln to a wider world than many frontier children experienced.
Kentucky at the time was still part of America’s frontier. Families cleared forests by hand, built their own homes, and depended on farming for survival. Life was physically demanding and often uncertain, but it also fostered independence, perseverance, and self-reliance.
Although Lincoln left Kentucky at age seven, the values formed during those early years remained with him throughout his life.
THE FAMILY STORY
A Lincoln Connection Near Bardstown
One of the lesser-known Lincoln sites is located even closer to Bardstown than his birthplace. At Lincoln Homestead State Park in Springfield, Kentucky, visitors can explore land connected to Lincoln’s father, Thomas Lincoln, and learn about the family’s Kentucky roots.
It was here that Thomas Lincoln grew up and where Abraham Lincoln’s parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, were married in 1806. The park includes a replica cabin, historical exhibits, and demonstrations that help visitors understand life on Kentucky’s early frontier.
While millions visit monuments honoring President Lincoln, places like Lincoln Homestead tell a different story. They reveal the family, hardships, and everyday experiences that shaped the young boy long before he entered politics or led the nation through the Civil War.
For guests staying at The Lodge, this piece of Lincoln history is only about twenty minutes away, making it one of the most accessible presidential landmarks in Kentucky.
DID YOU KNOW?
A Few Lincoln Facts
Did Abraham Lincoln really grow up in a log cabin?
Yes. Lincoln was born in a one-room Kentucky cabin at Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville.
Where did Lincoln spend most of his Kentucky childhood?
At about age two, Lincoln’s family moved to Knob Creek Farm, where he lived until age seven and formed some of his earliest memories.
Did Lincoln almost drown as a child?
Yes. While living at Knob Creek in Kentucky, young Abraham Lincoln was swept into the creek. A friend reportedly rescued him before he drowned.
Why did Lincoln’s family leave Kentucky?
Land ownership disputes were a major reason. His father, Thomas Lincoln, struggled with unclear land titles and moved the family to Indiana in 1816.
Where did Lincoln's family go after leaving Kentucky?
In 1816, seven-year-old Abraham Lincoln and his family crossed the Ohio River and settled in the Indiana wilderness. The move marked the end of Lincoln's Kentucky childhood and the beginning of a new frontier chapter
How long did it take Lincoln's family to move?
When the Lincoln family left Kentucky in 1816, they traveled roughly 100 miles to their new homestead in southern Indiana. What would take about two hours by car today likely required one to two weeks by wagon, horseback, and foot as they crossed the Ohio River and entered the frontier wilderness.
Was Lincoln really a champion wrestler?
Yes. Before becoming president, Lincoln was known for his strength and reportedly won nearly 300 wrestling matches, losing only one.
Did Lincoln aways have a beard?
No. Lincoln was clean-shaven for much of his life. He grew his famous beard after an 11-year-old girl suggested it might help him look more presidential.
Did Lincoln have a patent?
Yes. Lincoln is the only U.S. president to hold a patent. His invention was designed to help boats move over shallow water.
Did Lincoln have pets in the White House?
Among the Lincoln family's many pets (dogs, cats, rabbits and horses) were two goats named Nanny and Nanko. They often pulled a small cart for Lincoln's sons and became some of the most famous animals ever to live at the White House.
Was Lincoln the main speaker in Gettysburg?
Surprisingly, he was not the main speaker that day. The featured speaker, Edward Everett, spoke for nearly two hours before Lincoln gave the brief address. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was only about 272 words and took just a few minutes to deliver. It would become one of the most famous speeches in American history.
What was Lincoln carrying in his pockets the night he was assassinated?
Among the items found were a pocketknife, a handkerchief, a watch chain, and several newspaper clippings praising his presidency.
KEEP EXPLORING
Learn More About Abraham Lincoln
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