Temple of the Union

The Temple of the Union is a location in the Capital Wasteland.

Background
This small settlement literally sprung up around the severed head of Lincoln, a portion of the statue from the Lincoln Memorial, and a random block from the memorial’s inscription. How it arrived in this remote spot is any-one’s guess, but the Temple’s residents now revere the head as a symbol of the Abolitionist movement. The entire compound is a haven for freed slaves and anti-slavery activists.

The temple's leader, Hannibal Hamlin, dreams of a safe haven for would-be slaves, away from the slavers. Their respect of Abraham Lincoln is almost reverent, and they wish to set up their temple in the Lincoln Memorial - not only because it would be easier to defend, but because he is known to them for freeing all men from slavery in America. Because of this, Hannibal Hamlin will offer to buy any of Lincoln's artifacts.

Layout
The Temple of the Union is located northwest of Canterbury Commons. There are several ways to get its marker on your map. You will be given the marker if you help out Mei Wong in Rivet City or by successfully removing a collar from a slave in a random encounter. You can also find a map on the several corpses of a dead slave, presumably a failed runaway.

It is a ruined two-story building that houses a group of escaped slaves. Initially, Abraham Lincoln's Head is here, although it is unclear how it got here. It is possible that it was being repaired or stolen. Completing the quest Head of State will result in the head being moved to the Lincoln Memorial.

Following the road south leads to a checkpoint, a military truck with some boxes around.

Notable loot

 * Pre-War book in Caleb's room, which must be stolen resulting in karma loss.
 * Tales of a Junktown Jerky Vendor in the abandoned raider fort on the collapsed highway to the southwest of the Temple. The raider fort is unpopulated until you complete Head of State (spawns after finishing Head of State).
 * Grognak the Barbarian in the same abandoned highway fort as the one above (spawns after finishing Head of State).
 * Pre-War book in the same place with the others skill books (spawns after finishing Head of State).

Behind the scenes

 * The inhabitants are named after members of Abraham Lincoln's cabinet. Hannibal Hamlin was Vice President, Caleb Smith was Secretary of the Interior, William "Bill" Seward was Secretary of State, and Simon(e) Cameron was Secretary of War. The dog, Four Score, is named for the opening words from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent...)
 * The name of the Temple is based on the federal government of the United States during the American Civil War. (See: The Union)

Appearances
The Temple of the Union appears only in Fallout 3.