Category Archives: Illinois capital

Women’s suffrage in Illinois

Posted on November 4, 2013 by editor

A carefully calibrated legislative strategy in Springfield led to Illinois becoming, in 1913, the first state east of the Mississippi to grant women the right to vote. On June 10, 1919, the state then became the first in the nation … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois capital, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, State government, Women | 5 Comments

Groves

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Groves of mature hardwood trees figured frequently in the history of Sangamon County. Robert Pulliam, considered the first European inhabitant of  the county, set up his first encampment in a grove of sugar maples on what became known as Sugar … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Parks, Prehistory, Soil | Leave a comment

Hall of Flags

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Memorial Hall — still better known as the Hall of Flags, even though the flags have been gone for more than a decade — is the grand vestibule of the State of Illinois’ Michael J. Howlett Building, itself originally called … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Military, State government | Tagged | Leave a comment

Archer Herndon (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Archer G. Herndon Sr. (1795-1867) was one of the “Long Nine,” including Abraham Lincoln, who are credited with persuading the Illinois legislature to move the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield in 1837. Archer Herndon also was the father of William … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Maps, Politics, Prominent figures, State government | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Elijah Iles (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Elijah Iles (1796-1883) was Springfield’s first merchant and perhaps its most dynamic founder. Iles built a log store near the settlement of the John Kelly family shortly after arriving in central Illinois. Iles described his move to Sangamon County and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Native Americans, Parks, Prominent figures, Springfield | Leave a comment

Illinois Capitol Complex

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Nine major buildings make up the heart of what is known as the Capitol Complex – the Statehouse and surrounding state government structures. Included are: *The Capitol itself *The Michael J. Howlett Building (formerly the Centennial Building), south of the … Continue reading →

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Illinois Capitol

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Today’s Illinois Capitol is the sixth building to have been so designated. The state rented the first, a two-story brick building in Kaskaskia, the first capital, for $4 a day. The next three capitols were in Vandalia, where the capital … Continue reading →

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Illinois Executive Mansion, 1860 (lithograph)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

The Illinois Executive Mansion is one of the three oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansions in the U.S. Since the lithograph above was done, the mansion has lost the cupola, the columns on the entrance portico and the balconies. (Reprinted in The … Continue reading →

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Illinois governors (list)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Jay Robert “JB” Pritzker, a Democrat, took office as the 43rd governor of Illinois in 2019. Previous governors, with party affiliation and years in office (reverse order) Bruce Rauner (Republican), 2015-19 Patrick Quinn (Democrat) 2009-15 Rod Blagojevich (D), 2003-09 George … Continue reading →

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Illinois State Fair

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

This entry, first published in 2013, was significantly expanded in 2023. The first Illinois State Fair was held in Springfield in October 1853 under the direction of the Illinois State Agricultural Association. The association’s president, James N. Brown (considered the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Amusements, Buildings, Celebrations, Farming, Illinois capital | 3 Comments