VISITORS GUIDE
VISITORS GUIDE
Area Maps
Area Maps
WHAT'S OPEN?
WHAT'S OPEN?
>> PLANNING GUIDES & MAPS
>> PLANNING GUIDES & MAPS

10 Things You May Not Know About Abe Lincoln

Posted on February 10, 2024



Today he is known as one of America’s greatest presidents. But throughout his lifetime, Abraham Lincoln was known for a variety of traits and interests.

It turns out, our 16th president was a very interesting person!

10 Fun Facts About Abraham Lincoln

1. At an impressive height of 6’ 4”, Abraham Lincoln was and still is the tallest president in U.S. history, barely beating Lyndon B. Johnson at 6’ 3 1/2”.

2. He wasn’t given a middle name when he was born. He went through his life with only two names and reportedly preferred to be called Lincoln over Abraham.

3. Our 16th president kept goats, amongst many other animals, at the White House. His sons, Tad and Willie, often played with the goats on the lawn and named them Nanny and Nanko. Nanny was known to sleep in Tad’s bed at night. Read more about the Lincolns’ love for their goats.

4. Lincoln is honored in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Yep, you read that right—he was an accomplished wrestler as a young man, defeated only one time in approximately 300 matches!

5. Abe didn’t move to Illinois until he was 21 years old. He spent his formative years right here in Spencer County, Indiana, growing from childhood to manhood and going on to become known as one of the world’s most respected leaders. It was here that many of his character and moral traits were formed and nurtured.

6. Speaking of being known as one of the world’s greatest leaders, did you know that Lincoln lost five separate elections before being elected president? His ambition, however, was unchecked and he finally succeeded in 1861. He’s the epitome of the saying, “Never give up.”

7. John Wilkes Booth’s brother saved the life of Lincoln’s son (say that five times fast!). If you’re unfamiliar with the history of Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth is the man responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A few months before his assassination, the president’s oldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was accidentally pushed onto the tracks in front of a moving train by a throng of hurried passengers. The hand that reached out and pulled the president’s son to safety by his coat collar was actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes. What a small world!

8. Abe was the first president to sport a beard. Although he entered the office clean shaven, it was reported that a letter from an 11-year-old girl, Grace Bedell of New York, changed his mind. Bedell wrote to Lincoln before the election:

"I have got four brothers and part of them will vote for you anyway and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you. You would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President."

9. Despite having a successful law career, Lincoln did not receive a college or law degree.

10. Lincoln’s cat, Tabby, was known to eat at the White House dinner table.

Learn More About Lincoln

Interested in learning more about the history of Abraham Lincoln, the people that surrounded him, and the area that shaped him? Then planning a trip to explore the various sites and attractions throughout Lincoln’s Indiana Boyhood Home sounds right up your alley! Use our Trip Planner to make planning your trip easier than ever.