212 YEARS AGO - Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. The Sinking Spring, located just below the hill on which Lincoln was born, was clearly identified in early land records. This water source was variably known as Sinking Spring, Rock Spring, and Cave Spring. However, early records generally refer to the landmark as Sinking Spring because the water dropped into a pit and disappeared into the earth. Thus, originated the name of the farm.