When deciding where to locate the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad, Abraham Lincoln met with Grenville M. Dodge in order to get his advice. Dodge had extensively surveyed the area west of the Missouri River and was adamant that the railroad must follow the Platte Valley and begin in Council Bluffs. During this visit in 1859, it has been said that Lincoln viewed the area from a steep loess bluff that was known as Point Lookout. Whether that actually happened has been disputed.
Lincoln was elected president one year later and in 1863 he signed an executive order that designated Council Bluffs as the eastern terminus where the eastern and western lines of the railroad would connect. Dodge would go on to become a surveyor and chief engineer for Union Pacific in 1865.
To commemorate the spot where Lincoln stood in 1859, the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a 24 foot monument in 1911. The monument is the centerpiece of a 1.5 acre park that sits within the Historic Fairview-Lincoln neighborhood. The park has a steep staircase that goes down the bluff and connects the park to the trail system. From the park you get an amazing view of not only Council Bluffs down below but also the Omaha skyline beyond the river. It’s also a popular place for watching fireworks.
With just a few steps you can visit other historic sites including the Kinsman Monument inside Fairview Cemetery as well as the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial which is more popularly known as the Black Angel. I’ve included photos of both but plan to go more in depth on each of these in a future post.
Please feel free to comment to share your thoughts and memories.
Until next time, keep exploring!
Bonus Pics
Omaha Exploration 
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