Skip to Main Content

Lincoln City, Oregon: Abraham Lincoln Reads on a Horse

The statue of Lincoln City's namesake depicts him engrossed in a book while on horseback.

Address:
22st St., Lincoln City, OR
Directions:
The statue is on 22nd Street and Quay Place, about a block or two off State Hwy 101. It faces North.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Abraham Lincoln Reads on a Horse

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Abe reads.

Abraham Lincoln Reads on a Horse

Big parking lot for parking our truck and trailer. Abe seems to look at you.

[Sue B, 09/16/2023]

Lincoln reads on a horse.

Abraham Lincoln Reads on a Horse

The statue was sculpted by Anna Hyatt Huntington and given to Lincoln City on the condition that the town never change its name. According to a plaque at its base, Lincoln was offered the governorship of the Oregon Territory in 1849, but turned it down and returned to his law practice. He would tour the circuit from town to town, and along the way he would read books while riding his horse.

And no, it is not the same as texting while driving.

[Roadsideamerica.com Team, 09/21/2014]

Abe reads a book.

Abraham Lincoln Reads on a Horse

Lincoln City is actually five smaller coast towns that combined in the 1950s. Instead of naming the new town after one of the old towns, a new name was voted on. The school children of the area chose Surfland, but local fuddy duddy adults didn't like the name. Instead they decided to name it after Abraham Lincoln, who was offered the job of Oregon's territorial governor in 1849. He decided to run for President instead. In hindsight, I guess that was a good idea!

The statue of Abe Lincoln reading on a horse is 15 feet tall and was given to the city on the condition that it always face west. Good Old Honest Abe is sitting on a horse reading a book. Is that like texting and driving?

[Jody Day, 03/31/2010]
Roadside Presidents
Roadside Presidents App for iPhone. Find this attraction and more: museums, birthplaces, graves of the Chief Execs, first ladies, pets, assassins and wannabes. Prez bios and oddball trivia. Available on the App Store.

Nearby Offbeat Places

Surfer Dude, Former VikingSurfer Dude, Former Viking, Lincoln City, OR - < 1 mi.
Dragon: Sparky the Wish GuardianDragon: Sparky the Wish Guardian, Lincoln City, OR - < 1 mi.
The D River - Shortest in the WorldThe D River - Shortest in the World, Lincoln City, OR - 1 mi.
In the region:
Wax Works, Newport, OR - 24 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Oregon Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights