Hodgenville, Kentucky: Grave of Lincoln's Playmate

It's inscribed right on the tombstone, "Lincoln's Playmate," as well as on a historical marker by the highway. Austin Gollaher claimed not only to have been Abe's childhood buddy, but to have saved him from drowning when he was seven. Curiously, he didn't make these claims until after Lincoln was dead, but someone obviously believed him.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Address:: Howardstown Rd, Hodgenville, KY
Directions:: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. From downtown Hodgenville drive east on US Hwy 31E/E. Main St. for 4.5 miles. Turn right onto Hwy 84/Howardstown Rd. Ahead on the right you'll see the church. The Lincoln's Playmate historical marker is next to the parking lot, out by the highway. To get to the grave, drive behind the church. The road veers left. You'll see the headstones on the left. The Lincoln's Playmate headstone is a couple hundred feet down the road (but before you get to the white shed), and a couple of graves in. The inscriptions are on the side opposite to the road, so you'll have to get out and look. It's a moderate-size, upright gray granite tombstone.
Admission:: Free

Visitor Tips and News About Grave of Lincoln's Playmate

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

Grave of Lincoln's Playmate.

Lincoln's Playmate

Final resting place of President Lincoln's best friend Austin Gollaher, who also saved Lincoln from drowning as a boy. They were schoolmates from when young Lincoln lived in the area. While President, Lincoln said, "I would rather see him than any man living."

[Stephen Francia, 06/05/2020]

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.