Four mysterious sandstone pillars sit in Pioneers Park in Lincoln, creating an interesting sight that has been fascinating visitors since the 1970s. But did you know the story behind this unusual park feature? It turns out that these pillars have quite the history.

The pillars are one of the park’s most recognizable and popular features. They’re located on the scenic banks of the duck pond and, from afar, look almost like the ruins of an ancient city.

Jennifer Pierce/Google Local The pillars are a popular spot for photographers, and it’s such a scenic location that people even book this area for weddings.

But do you know where these ornate columns come from? It turns out that they’re the last remaining pillars from the original U.S. Treasury building in Washington, D.C.

Basic Travelz/Google Local It’s said that President Abraham Lincoln stood among the columns when he was reviewing troops during the Civil War from the stairs of the Treasury building.

When the building was erected, architects used sandstone mined from nearby Virginia to create the ornate columns and other beautifully detailed features. Unfortunately, sandstone isn’t the most stable building material. By the early 20th century, much of the structure was crumbling.

Shelby Miller/Google Local

The decision was made to replace the pillars and other deteriorating elements of the building. Thirty of the sandstone pillars were carefully removed in 1908 and put into outdoor storage, waiting to be repurposed in some way. They were replaced with more durable granite pillars.

Bill Peterson/Google Local Although there were plenty of ideas from the public about how to reuse the pillars, there was no budget to undertake any project incorporating the tall structures. They languished in storage, all but forgotten, until Commissioner of the District Excise Board, Cotter T. Bride, paid to have four of them moved to Lincoln in 1916.

The gift was in honor of Nebraska politician William Jennings Bryan. Sadly, the other 26 pillars simply laid in storage until they were destroyed in 1918 by a construction company to make way for a new building.

Jim/Google Local The pillars stood at the entrance of Antelope Park in Lincoln from 1916 to 1961 when the land the park was on was sold. They again sat in storage for several years before being moved to Pioneers Park in the mid-1970s. And that’s where they’ve remained, just as stately as ever.

Have you visited the pillars in Pioneers Park? There’s a whole lot more to do there, including eight miles of trails, a bison herd and other wildlife, and some fascinating public art. If you’re interested in visiting this unique urban park, check out this article from the archives.

Jennifer Pierce/Google Local

The pillars are a popular spot for photographers, and it’s such a scenic location that people even book this area for weddings.

Basic Travelz/Google Local

It’s said that President Abraham Lincoln stood among the columns when he was reviewing troops during the Civil War from the stairs of the Treasury building.

Shelby Miller/Google Local

Bill Peterson/Google Local

Although there were plenty of ideas from the public about how to reuse the pillars, there was no budget to undertake any project incorporating the tall structures. They languished in storage, all but forgotten, until Commissioner of the District Excise Board, Cotter T. Bride, paid to have four of them moved to Lincoln in 1916.

Jim/Google Local

The pillars stood at the entrance of Antelope Park in Lincoln from 1916 to 1961 when the land the park was on was sold. They again sat in storage for several years before being moved to Pioneers Park in the mid-1970s. And that’s where they’ve remained, just as stately as ever.

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Address: Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 South Coddington, Lincoln, NE 68522, USA