Springfield, Illinois: Capital of the Land of Lincoln

Springfield has been Illinois' capital since 1839—chosen for centrality over Vandalia (2nd capital) and Kaskaskia (1st). Its identity is inseparable from Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln's Springfield (1837–1861)

• Lawyer – Practiced 24 years; 5,000+ cases; circuit rider
• Legislator – 4 terms (1834–1842); "Long Nine" moved capital here
• Home – 8th & Jackson (only home he owned); restored
• "House Divided" speech – Old State Capitol (1858)
• Departure – Feb 11, 1861; "I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return"

Lincoln Sites Today

• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum – World-class; immersive; 2005
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site – NPS; free tours
• Old State Capitol – Where he served, debated, lay in state
• Lincoln Tomb – Oak Ridge Cemetery; 117-ft obelisk; War Memorial
• Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices – Restored

Beyond Lincoln

• State Government – Capitol (1868–1888, dome 361 ft); 40K state employees
• Medical Hub – SIU School of Medicine, Memorial, HSHS St. John's
• Education – UIS (public), Lincoln Land CC, Benedictine
• Route 66 – Mother Road passes through; Cozy Dog, Maid-Rite

Demographics

Population ~114,000 (city); ~210,000 (metro). Sangamon County. Central Illinois agricultural/industrial base.