Within Sterling's Propheter Park is a historic stone monument that memorializes an 1856 speech given by Abraham Lincoln at the Sterling Central School. The monument was first erected at the school and was moved to this site after the building was demolished in 1922. Two years before his speech to Sterling residents, Lincoln was elected to the State Legislature. However, he resigned to run for the U.S. Senate, a race he ultimately lost. As a result, he changed his party affiliation from the Whig to the Republican Party. In 1856, the year he spoke in Sterling, he supported a run for the U.S. presidency by John C. Frémont, who ultimately lost to James Buchanan. President Buchanan served for one term and was followed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The land for Propheter Park was donated to the Sterling Park District in 1986 by Sterling resident Bob Propheter. While visiting the park, take note of the bronze sculpture of Abraham Lincoln. The statue was dedicated on July 18, 2006, to commemorate Lincoln's visit in Sterling.