California note
Redlands has a Lincoln shrine tucked beside Smiley Library
The Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands is a city-connected museum and research place dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
Redlands is known for citrus, old homes, the Bowl, and a handsome downtown. Then you find the Lincoln Memorial Shrine beside A.K. Smiley Public Library, and the city gets another layer.
The shrine was given by Robert and Alma Watchorn in 1932. Its original octagon was designed by Southern California architect Elmer Grey, with Bedford, Indiana limestone on the outside and words from Lincoln’s speeches built into the walls. Later additions expanded the space while keeping the same material feel.
The location matters. This is not a huge national mall monument. It is a local library-connected museum and research place in an Inland Empire city. That makes the story more surprising and more useful: Redlands kept a serious Civil War and Lincoln collection in a place people can actually reach from downtown.
Pair it with Smiley Library or the nearby Bowl area, and the stop feels less random. Redlands has a civic memory layer that is easy to miss if you only pass through on the freeway.
Where to see it
Lincoln Memorial Shrine at 125 West Vine Street in Redlands, beside A.K. Smiley Public Library.
Sources
Sources for this story
Reviewed July 1, 2026
Public sources for the places, events, and details above.
Connected places
Open the local directory
Related notes
Related California notes
Redlands Bowl made summer music feel open to everyone
The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival is a long-running Inland Empire tradition built around outdoor performances with no admission charge, community support, and music under the stars.
Read next →Redlands business openings may need zone clearance
Redlands in-town commercial business license applications require zone clearance, and some businesses may also need building or fire sprinkler permits.
Read next →Redlands utility service has water and solid-waste contacts
Redlands utility customer service separates water and sewer questions from solid-waste questions, while RedConnect handles account and payment access.
Read next →