Exploring Oak Ridge Cemetery and Lincoln's Tomb - Springfield, Illinois

[@graveexplorations]

Short Cuts: 0:00 Beginnings 1:49 The First 5:37 Moving Graves 8:34 First Among Equals - Governors of Illinois 17:06 The Last Full Measure of Devotion - Military Memorials 21:36 Home for the Friendless 23:18 Reed Waddell 26:41 Mr. & Mrs. Rayburn 29:33 The Late Dr. Early 33:10 Remembered in Stone - Monuments of Oak Ridge 45:45 Susan Lawrence Dana 48:15 The Bard of Springfield 52:22 Lincoln 56:15 Epilogue: The Mystic Chords of Memory

[@lexiburkham296]

Grave Explorations vv

[@jesuschristmyking8644]

Lots of Freemasons and Jesuits buried in this joint.

[@loripritchard3329]

Grave Explorations is It weird i,am interested In where the famous are Baried? Lori and Coco pritchard

[@loripritchard3329]

Grave Explorations General Lee, George Washington, Mrs. Barbara Bush, Presdant Ford, J. F. Kennedy, Presdant Hover, Richard. M. Nixon.

[@carlosayala243]

..... ...., ..lm.m ..m.

[@SoCalUrbex74]

I feel like I just watched a Documentary on the History Channel. By far, you are one of the best when it comes to research and presentation.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, as always, for your support!

[@valkyrjahelreid5979]

My family settled here generations ago. Many are buried in this cemetery (as well as some of my closest and most beloved relatives) i hope to be someday as well. Ive spent so many peaceful afternoons and lunch hours here (my fav spots are by Mattie Rayburn and the Home for the friendless. They are very close). I love this place and know it like the back of my hand. Thank you for posting this (even i learned a few things)

[@graveexplorations]

I think of Oak Ridge often, and hope to return some day. It truly is a special place. Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts.

[@elliottg.1954]

Really well done and compliments from England; American history is more popular here than some might think. This is an intriguing and very well made documentary, we don't need a TV.

[@CoachJJ05]

I just found my new favorite video! as a Springfield native I am not going to go try and find these people and tell them thank you for their contributions.

[@georgeOswald-j6o]

beautiful tribute too Illinois's Springfield's birth to it's present state Amen

[@AMSOfficial79]

I'm from Springfield and have two relatives buried in this cemetery. Utterly fascinating!

[@arex1072]

Same here!

[@jefflopezstuit]

I've visited Oak Ridge many times, and have visited many gravesites, but never had an experience like this! Thank you for amazing, brilliant, and beautiful work!

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much!

[@jayveecee1]

I was left in awe by this amazing video, thank you very much for your devotion to our Nations history.

[@cadencechrome4783]

As an amateur genealogist and graveyard gardener and restorationist, I thank you for the meaningful words, photographs and life stories. I wander many cemeteries and admire the beautiful statuary and ponder the family stories. I enjoy your series very much!

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for your hard work in preserving our heritage! :)

[@cadencechrome4783]

@@graveexplorations It is a good workout but selfishly very rewarding!

[@lizzdoe2821]

I absolutely LOVE that you include portraits of all these individuals and a view of their houses!!! Wonderful job!!

[@twistoffate4791]

Your dedication to history really shines brightly in this video. I was riveted. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be watching this one again. Oh - and how fun to see what looked like a fox running through the cemetery toward the end.

[@bwatkins466]

This is an outstanding accomplishment. For us average people wandering around a place like this, we would have only a very limited idea of of the actual history here, short of names and dates. Thank you for all of this back ground information.

[@graveexplorations]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave such a nice comment. :)

[@dharmaambesa2730]

This is the best Video about the cemeteries i ever found at the best narrative. All greetings from Timor Boy in Bali.

[@RhettyforHistory]

This was an unbelievably great video! I could tell you definitely put in a lot of research in both your material information and your shots. We enjoyed this one very much! Thank you for making it!

[@graveexplorations]

You are very welcome, thank you so much for watching and being here! :)

[@donnalynch1484]

yyyyyyyyyyya thankz

[@calebhenderson]

Well done sir. The thoughtfulness, reverence & respect with which you approach our cemeteries is singularly in a class equal to that of greats such as Tim Burns & David McCullough. I’ve lived in Chicago for 34 years & have never visited Oak Ridge. I will now, thanks to you. Continue on for your gift of story telling is great.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you Caleb. Your very kind words have made my day. Please forgive the delay in my reply.

[@jimdoyel5044]

This was a very moving documentary of Springfield and the many colorful inhabitants buried or re-buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Well-researched and narrated, it drives home the adage that you really don't know someone until you know their story. Well done, to all involved.

[@graveexplorations]

Visiting Oak Ridge and Springfield was a tremendous experience. It is such a special place, one I will never forget. Thank you for watching and for commenting. 😊

[@kenfrank2730]

This is a wonderful, professional quality video. It should be shown at schools throughout the U.S.

[@christineoconnor401]

I recently visited Springfield for a tour of the Lincoln sites. I long held dream. I cant beleive i stood at Lincolns tomb. Such a moving experience. Thank You for all the work you must have done to make this film. I could listen to you speak all day!

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching and your very kind words :) This was a life long dream for me as well, such a special feeling to be in those places. I took a lot more video of the Lincoln tomb and will make a future video just about that.

[@caroljohnson3313]

I like your videos because you don't rely on gimmicks to make them interesting.

[@orlandonieves8658]

My favorite president. So much history, suffering and triumph. Thank you.

[@MrJhonnybear77]

hi , as a future immigrant to the usa, your series are a goodway to learn history of a smal part of the people who build and made the usa in their daily lifes, thank you for this

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you very much for watching. It is a great compliment to me that you have found some value in this video. I wish you all the very best on your new life in the United States. This country was and continues to be built by people like you who came here to make their dreams a reality.

[@MrJhonnybear77]

i have not moved yet , I still have a lot to learn in ways of law and business and to figure out in which state or city I want to build a life ,I got it down to 2 states and two city's, so after almost 20 years in the private security business I need to figure out what's best for me to earn my keep in the usa ,and to create my American dream keep up the good work and god bless you brother greetings from the Netherlands

[@annwilliams6438]

Beautifully put together video as usual. Thank you for the tour of so many interesting lives and the people’s monuments.

[@albertchehade9916]

You're the best...a soothing voice.....

[@kathiedaniels875]

Excellent. Very well done. I was born and raised in Springfield and a lot of this I did not know. Thank you.

[@dianeschultz3229]

Thank you, I loved every second of this video, but my favorite part was of course the part about my favorite and best president that ever lived, Abraham Lincoln!

[@barrykaiser5028]

You do a very great job on telling the stories about people..and you have a very soothing voice... KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB..

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you so much! A new video is in the works.

[@ronsiegel5892]

Excellent. Thank You for your in depth research on all your videos.

[@conniedean9466]

Great! Thanks for all you do!

[@cjmiro90277]

Beautifully nararrated, produced and researched. ➡️Gorgeous⬅️ footage. One of the most thought provoking videos in this genre and well worth watching. Thank you, Sir. 🇺🇸🙏💞

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. :)

[@markking6184]

Very nice tour this has to be the best one I have watched. Thank You.

[@shapumawildcat]

Wow this was so informative and delivered with such serenity, Thank you i enjoyed this

[@debbieprice2040]

Another magnificent journey you have taken us on......the music is captivating and it all makes one wish this to never end. Thank you so very much and plrase don't ever stop these travels!!!

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Excellent. Thank you for taking us along. Chris.

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@spoffy100]

After reading all of the other posts they have covered your work perfectly. Nothing I could say would even come close. Thank you for your awesome and very educational work.

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks very much, I always enjoy hearing from viewers!

[@lindakinzer6698]

I really love this video. In the 1950's and 60's, our parents took us many times to Springfield, Abraham Lincoln's home and Oakridge Cemetary. Thank you for the very excellent presentation and snippets of history. I will recommend this to family members and I intend to visit Oakridge again this summer. Thank you for all the information and wonderful photography. And music.

[@graveexplorations]

You are so very welcome. This visit was a bucket list item for me and the experience was so much more than I was expecting.

[@lynnestewart3508]

The grave stone that is a clock with it's hands at 10 till midnight was my favorite...very thought provoking! Great your...

[@angeliqueherygers6083]

I loved listening to the stories behind the folks buried in the cemetary. Keep up the good work... I enjoy watching it very much.

[@Jamesamong007]

Finally a channel that talks about stuff like this without tasteless "spooky" music or editing.

[@vernonpennington8896]

Great history tour! Great pictures and clear sound! Clear vidio!music of that time.sareene calming to the spirit! Thank you for your content! Researching history is one of the most interesting pass times! Since I was young littel boy ,! I loved museums of history! So mutch to be learned! Especially Since Lies are kept as truth in our school books! All printed by Dems controlled by ! Dems congress ! To point the negetive history away from the Union players! Facts and whys! Are kept under wrap's! Great wisdom is a man's Strength! And can move mountains!💕🇺🇸🌟👂🙏👍🤔

[@littledude5311]

Very well presented. I learned a lot. My first visit to the site. I’m now a subscriber.

[@GingerKraut]

New subscriber here....as an amateur genealogist and cemetery enthusiast, thank you for what you do.

[@petermetcalfe6722]

What a fascinating film. Well done and thank you.

[@jeaniecorrado6092]

That was an incredible video thank you for sharing 🙏

[@helenaopal]

Thank you so much for the story about Mattie Rayburn! I visited Springfield 6 years ago and I saw her monument and wondered who she was.

[@paulwood9043]

This is a good piece of American history of the famous people of long ago.

[@Dragon43ish]

Wonderful video another rare GEM.

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much.

[@mudgebauer]

An excellent documentary. I wish they would repair those headstones that have fallen over off their bases. Thanks .

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you very much for watching and commenting. :)

[@Mr100741]

Very, Very well done.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you!

[@sandinoyes3882]

Excellent amd beautiful. I so enjoy your posts.

[@lizzdoe2821]

There is something truly beautiful about an eternal flame❤️

[@lizrickaby7329]

All your videos are just amazing. Thank you

[@doloresvargas6450]

These monuments give us hope for a better tommorow.Tony has spoken

[@puddysue]

So very nicely done.

[@billiwilliams9972]

This was a wonderful video. Wish we had one for each state. Thank you for the great video!

[@sydneyadams4758]

OUTSTANDING!!! You leave us wanting & waiting for more!

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, so much! I got some great stuff planned, so stay tuned! :)

[@RhettyforHistory]

Grumpy Granny I agree! He's the best at cemeteries!

[@rjwriter1957]

This was the first video I watched. My wife and I visited Springfield and 0ak Ridge in August 2017. Our visit was very moving and so was viewing your wonderful production(s). I am glad to become a patron of your work. I am a hospital chaplain and very much appreciate your work of preserving life stories and showing how they intersect with their times and places. I wonder if you plan to do more videos of Midwest cemeteries. I would recommend two close to me. East Hill Cemetery in Rushville, IN predates Crown Hill in Indianapolis. Presidential candidate Wendell Wilkie is buried there along with two US Congressmen, and a Civil War Brigadier General -- not to mention all the local notables. Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown, IN was established in 1886 and is the resting place of the first US Marine In WWII to receive the Medal of Honor. if you come to Indiana I will gladly show you around.

[@chuckmagee8212]

Wonderful job! Loved your video.

[@foxforpeace7351]

Nicely done! As an Illinoisan, I appreciated the state history references. Was surprised you did not include the attempted grave robbery of Lincoln’s tomb; an interesting story. Thank you,

[@twistoffate4791]

He did. That story has an entire video to itself.

[@jeanatwood1421]

Wish I could have seen more of the cemetery when I was there in 2013. This was great!

[@ColinHarperSummerson]

Absolutely Excellent video, so rich with information, you have done a fantastic job, really interesting, enjoyed it very much, thank you for sharing 🙂

[@jdemo7167]

Excellent. A showcase of true talent. I was captivated.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for all of your very kind comments. I'm so glad you are enjoying my videos :)

[@michaelburgess9707]

Your memorializing of some of our brothers and sisters will be more permanent than many of the fading monuments. Superb job.

[@830615521]

WOW! Beautifully done and great work.

[@lizzdoe2821]

Absolutely incredible!! What a magnificent job!! Please keep up your incredible work!!!

[@judedimatteo471]

Very interesting i visted there cant get enough of intersting history ty for shaing

[@Camop-iz9kt]

A superb video. I've worked in local television production, and I can't imagine a better job. Your research is super, and you also make it entertaining as well. I've been to Lincoln's tomb twice in my life, and it's always vey moving. I hope to get back some day.

[@sebastianscheidt1364]

To say this was very nicely done is a grave understatement . . . cheers

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you very much for watching and commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@mrbizzarro]

I love history and cemetery architecture. great work, and very informative.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed. Oak Ridge is an amazing place.

[@victoriataylor5457]

Thank you for another walk with you through time, and to see the graves of many interesting and historical people. Springfield is a very beautiful city. The stories of its buried citizens of that era is fascinating. Enjoy meeting them, and hearing their stories. You allow us, to feel like we know them. The grave of little Eliza Helmle, being moved so many times, is interesting but rather sad. glad she's finally at rest by her family. some of those graves are so old, but are kept up well and respected. Which is nice to see. I'm interested in the Civil war and Lincoln, fascinating tour of this most historic cemetery. and those of the so called little war , with Spain, the The Viet Nam war, many soldiers of wars, all wars. Civil War, World War II, II Korean, the soldiers who gave, their last full measure. Some never made it home, my Great Uncle fought in World War I and was killed in 1918 and is buried in a small French village. He never made it home to be buried on American soil. next to our family. Sad there are any wars. Thanks, again for the most interesting walk.William Saunders designed the cemetery beautifully, his pastoral settings are beautiful.And the one he designed at Gettysburg battlefield. Kid Waddell got what his father said he would. Devils island must have been horrible, sad his mother got the remains of his body and unfortunate lifestyle, which he chose. Great information on all these towns folk of yesteryear. We will all end up the same, one day, just a memory. Thank you so much, for your labor of love, in posting all your great videos.

[@graveexplorations]

Victoria Taylor Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, Oak Ridge is a very special place that echoes with the voices of the past. I spent all the time I could there most of the time not filming, just taking it in. In regards to your great uncle... I am currently working on a video about WWI, and to honor some of the Americans who fell. I hope to have it ready in November.

[@ethnalee9191]

I enjoyed your video Immensely...looking forward to seeing more of them TQ.🍀🍀🍀🌹

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you! More videos on the way... :)

[@lauradougherty8426]

Love the story's of the dead a great educational video

[@scotttaylor8498]

I'm about 2 minutes away from such a historical graveyard. Very cool documentary. Thanks.

[@dianemac3768]

Amazing video thank you for work you did much noted and appreciated....................

[@LTMM_]

You missed Fleetwood Lindley, whose the youngest spectator to view Abraham Lincoln's body when it was being exhumed. He's also buried in Oak Ridge close by to Lincoln's tomb. But regardless, this is by far my fav video you uploaded so far. Powerful, inspirational, tearful, happiness.

[@graveexplorations]

How funny you should mention Fleetwood Lindley. I have a much bigger Lincoln video in the works and it was only recently that I realized I missed the chance to visit his grave. Overlooking great stories like his is one of my biggest frustrations. Thank you for watching and your very kind words. :)

[@shirleypedrozo34]

What a beautiful cemetery

[@jaynerosajohansen4864]

Really enjoyed this

[@whatsthedealwithdanny3913]

Very nice video. I have visited Lincoln's grave before. Beautiful place. Thanks for sharing the stories of the people buried there.

[@John-wy9ks]

I love Oak Ridge and visit it often. You did a good job with this.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching and the kind words. I spent a week in Springfield last May and went to Oak Ridge every day. The history in there feels so alive. I'd love to see Oak Ridge in all four seasons.

[@Ice-FoxXx]

Wonderful video. Thank you so much!

[@JennaLeigh]

Also, I'd love for you and Arthur Dark of Hollywood Graveyard to collaborate on a project together. Your videos are absolutely top notch in every way. Maybe a road trip series of some sort, or a themed video..... either way, thank you again for this amazing work!

[@judybraden1553]

WOW! Keep up the good work!

[@michaelswinehart2788]

Well done !!!!!! You held my attention from the very beginning, to the very end. You should be very proud of this video. You shared a wealth to everyone who viewed this video. Also, the music you had chosen was very good, especially the music playing while the statues of president Lincoln were being shown.

[@truckdaddy1957]

Excellent...Thank-you so very much.

[@lizzdoe2821]

To all those watching who have served our country: Thank you!❤️

[@emelio7995]

This is remarkable channel.

[@lynmichael7476]

Very well portrayed, it was informative and interesting.

[@karensmith696]

If anyone gets the opportunity to visit the Lincoln tomb it is amazing! It gave me so many emotions one being awestruck because of the man buried there but also a sense of sadness and then of peace...

[@graveexplorations]

Most definitely, it's a very special place. I've waited my whole life to see it... BTW, I filmed MUCH more on Lincoln when I was there, stayed tuned...

[@kathleenbrenner2889]

I’ve just discovered your channel and I have to say how professional and beautifully done your videos are!! Lincoln has always been my favorite and you made me feel like I was there!! Thank you 😊

[@tjittekamminga5170]

beautifully done; very impressed

[@ethnalee9191]

Such a beautiful Video, very well presented by you, I felt so relaxed, watching it, It reminded of when I as a young girl in Ireland, Just Too Get out of my house, away from my Siblings, there were Thirteen of them..Myself and my friend Angela, wonder around the Graveyard where our Ancestors laid too rest, we would sit and tell story’s, and forget the troubles that we faced at home,or in School, I have always loved the Peaceful atmosphere, You brought me back too my 🏡 TQ🌹

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

The statues of the President are stunning.Poor Mary.so much tragedy and plagued with migrane headaches.Rest in Peace Mary,you were a patriotic American woman

[@sz3qc9]

Outstanding presentation!!! Well done!!!

[@ShivanandPrabhoo]

Very good way of remembering the dead

[@hookman73]

Compelling video. Thank you.

[@relynshook9495]

The history is amazing

[@bettyfourman5438]

Excellent

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you so much 😀

[@robertsbecky6310]

If you are interested in seeing old graveyards, PLEASE READ THIS. So many old graves are losing the ability to read what is / was on the gravestone. It would be really great if we could come together to have small plaques made for each of them in order to help identify whose grave it is. I think whoever owns / manages the grave should have records on who is in each grave. I am sure some graves may be so old that there is no way to find out. However it would help preserve the info we can read and or find out about each grave, for future generations. I have no idea on the cost it would take to have a small plaque made. However if we came together as a community, I am sure donations and fundraisers could help cover the cost. Maybe starting with the older graves and posting info on where families could have plaques made for their loved ones, whom they visit. It's only a good idea if many people help to come together to make it happen.

[@bunnymomjulie6719]

Thank you so much for doing such a beautiful job! Subscribed!

[@blorac9869]

Thank you very much! Elegant original film! Keep reaching for the stars!

[@kathycrutcher2671]

Awesome!! Love the history as always.been waiting for a new one.❤️

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, Kathy! I'm glad you enjoyed. I have a lot of unused video and stories still in the bag. I plan on putting them on the Facebook page first.