Saturday, April 23, 2016

A Tale of Two Illinois State Capitols-- Part 1: Abe Lincoln Spoke Here

From Springfield, Illinois, 2016 Visitors Guide.

In Springfield there are two state Capitols, so if you ask for directions to the Capitol, make sure to say "new" or "old," even though the "new" one isn't all that "new" anymore.

Actually, the two Capitols in Springfield are the third and fourth ones.  Illinois became a state in 1818, and the first two capitals were at Kaskaskia and Vandalia.  Springfield became the third and final capital in 1837.

Springfield's first Capitol is a red-domed Greek Revival-style building made of local Sugar Creekmlimestone.  This is where Abraham Lincoln served in the state legislature and where he gave his famous "House Divided" speech.  It is open for tours.  (The annual Route 66 International Festival in Springfield takes place around it.)

--CootAbe


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