Illinois' old state capitol
The Old State Capitol is a reconstruction of Illinois’ fifth statehouse, serving as a seat of state government from 1839-1876. Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech here, debated his chief rival Stephen Douglas and waged his 1860 presidential campaign within these walls. It’s also where the assassinated leader lay in state in 1865 before being moved to Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Visitors are welcome seven days a week. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. (Lori Rackl and Randi Stevenson / Chicago Tribune)
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Illinois: Old State Capitol
The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, in Springfield, Illinois, is the fifth capitol, from 1840 to 1876, for the U.S. state of Illinois.
From 1820 through 1837, the political capital of the young state of Illinois was the small village of Vandalia, Illinois in the south center of the state.
A caucus of nine Illinois lawmakers, including the young Whig Party lawyer Abraham Lincoln, led the effort to have the capital moved to the Sangamon County village of Springfield, closer to the geographic center of the state. Their efforts were successful in 1837.
Workers built a state office building, large for the time, on the central square in Springfield in 1837–40. The cost was $240,000. The structure, designed by local architect John Francis Rague and constructed of locally quarried yellow Sugar Creek limestone, contained chambers for both houses of the General Assembly, offices for the Governor of Illinois and other executive officials, and a chamber for the Illinois Supreme Court.
It was in this building that Lincoln served his final term as a state lawmaker in 1840–41. It was here, as a lawyer, that he pleaded cases before the state supreme court in 1841–60. It was here, in the Illinois House chamber, that he made his House Divided speech in June 1858, announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. It was to the same chamber, in May 1865, that his body was returned, arriving from Washington, D.C. prior to final burial in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery.
As a result of economic growth spurred by the American Civil War and consequent industrialization, this fifth or Old State Capitol was, by the 1870s, too small to serve the purpose for which it had been built. Illinois built its sixth and current State Capitol building four blocks to the southwest, and the state government turned the Old State Capitol over to Sangamon County to serve as the county courthouse. During this time the building was extensively altered. In 1898-1899 Sangamon County raised the historic structure 11 feet (3 meters), added a third floor under it, and demolished and reconfigured the interior to hold circuit court rooms and office space.
In the early 1960s, the Civil War centennial rekindled interest in the historic central Springfield structure. In addition, Sangamon County's space needs had grown so urgent as to require the county to build for itself an entirely new courthouse building. The county retroceded the Old State Capitol to the state of Illinois.
In order to restore and preserve the Old State Capitol, workers completely dismantled it, stone by stone, and rebuilt it. The public areas of the Old State Capitol were reconstructed to resemble the appearance of the building in 1860, when Lincoln last saw the capitol prior to his departure to Washington.
The restored Old State Capitol continues to be used for ceremonial functions. In February 2007 then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States at this location.
Illinois State Capitol, Springfield
The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield houses legislative and the executive branches of the government of the state of Illinois.
The spirit of the Land of Lincoln is nowhere else so alive as it is in Springfield.
The Illinois State Capitol is a treasure of art, architecture, and history.
You can enjoy the free guided tour, first but then, go alone so that you can take your time and really absorb the atmosphere.
Abraham Lincoln's Journey Home: Springfield, Illinois
As the nation and the National Park Service commemorated the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral in May 2015, National Park Service employees and representatives re-traced the route his funeral train took as it made its way from Washington DC to Springfield, Illinois. It was a celebration of the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln on the 150th anniversary of his national funeral.
This program was from the end-point in Springfield, IL, on May 3rd, 2015. The program was given at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield. Program speakers include Fritz Klein, Duey Kol, and Vanessa Torres.
For more information please visit:
Illinois State Song at the Old State Capitol
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The President Speaks at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield
Nine years after he announced his candidacy for the presidency, President Obama returned to Springfield, IL to discuss the state of American politics. February 10, 2016.
Old State Capitol Stephen Douglas Statue
Old State Capitol Stephen Douglas Statue
Tours-TV.com: Old State Capitol
The Old State Capitol, built in 1837-40, is popular among US presidents: both Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama made their candidacy announcements here . United States : Illinois : Springfield. See on map .
Illinois State Capitol.
My first visit to the Capitol building.
Springfield Illinois Capitol Building
Some video of the capitol building and the statues on the lawn around it.
Illinois Stories | State Capitol Art
Springfield: Where It Began
On February 10, 2016 President Obama took a trip to Springfield, Illinois — where exactly nine years prior he announced his bid for the presidency. Watch the President visit old colleagues and reflect on his time in office.
Springfield, Capital of Illinois 2015
Dec. 2015
Abraham Lincoln's Neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois
H.C. Storm goes to Springfield, Illinois to visit President Abraham Lincoln's community.
Naturalization Ceremony at Old State Capitol
3D Animated Stereoscopic Photographs of President Abraham Lincoln's Funeral Processions (1865)
Animated stereoscopic photographs of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral processions and other memorial events in Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, Springfield, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., in April/May 1865.
Sources: Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, the Robin Stanford Collection (now at the Library of Congress)
Philadelphia, Chestnut Street, 6th Street, Broad Street, by Ridgway Glover, April 22:
New York City, Broadway, Grace Church, Union Square, by George Stacy, April 24/25:
Baltimore, Maryland, train depot, by Ridgway Glover, April 21:
Springfield, Illinois, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Old State Capitol, by Ridgway Glover, C.H. Hall, May 3/4:
Washington, D.C., probably Mathew Brady, April 19:
San Francisco, California, by Carleton E. Watkins, 1865:
Otis Traction Elevator @ The State Capitol Building Springfield, IL
This is the third elevator I found.
Illinois state capital building dome tour (original version)
Tour to the top of the dome of the tallest state capital building in the United States. Springfield, Illinois state capital building 405 ft tall. #amazing
Otis Traction Elevator @ The State Capitol Building Springfield, IL
This is another elevator at the State Capitol Building. An employee (if I'm correct), got on the elevator, I asked him if he didn't mind about photography. He didn't mind at all.