Long Beach Public Library

Long Beach Public Library Foundation

President Lincoln Memorial Returns to Greet Library Visitors

The memorial statue of President Abraham Lincoln in the newly reopened Lincoln Park in front of the Billie Jean King Main Library on Presidents’ Day, February 21, 2022.

Since the memorial was unveiled in 1915, the statue of President Abraham Lincoln has stood in front of the Main Library. As the Main Library has evolved through the years, the statue has kept its rightful location to welcome library visitors. You can visit Mr. Lincoln at the newly reopened Lincoln Park in front of the Billie Jean King Main Library.

The photos below are from the Long Beach Public Library digital archives which you can explore at https://lbpl.contentdm.oclc.org.

From the Long Beach Public Library digital archives: 7/3/1915. A large crowd watches as the Abraham Lincoln statue in Lincoln Park is unveiled. American flags drop off the draped monument as music plays. The Grand Army of the Republic organization campaigned to acquire this monument. Shown in the small oval inset is “Master John Hair,” the son of a statue fundraiser, John Hair. The boy was given the task of performing the unveiling. In the park behind foliage, the Long Beach Public Library is partly visible at left.
From the Long Beach Public Library digital archives: 1960. This photograph shows the Lincoln statue and the Carnegie Library behind it, both located in Lincoln Park. People sit on benches in the park or climb the steps into the library. On the left is a view of the back of the Long Beach Public Library Bookmobile, the first in California.
From the Long Beach Public Library digital archives: 2005-04-15. An image showing the rededication the Lincoln statue in Lincoln Park. A wreath has been placed by the statue and an honor guard of uniformed soldiers stand at attention nearby. A round medallion says “Sons of Union Veterans. Camp No. 2.” This may be the Grand Army of the Republic.
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