Tag Archives: Old Capitol

1850s Springfield, in four mysterious paintings

Posted on March 18, 2014 by editor

The four paintings below show all four sides of the Springfield square in the late 1840s or early 1850s. They are unusual in two ways: their perspective, presumably from the cupola of what now is the Old State Capitol; and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Historic Sites, Histories, Hotels & taverns, Illustrations, Maps, Photos and photosets, Prominent figures, Springfield, State government | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Salome Paddock Enos (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Salome Paddock Enos (1791-1877), the wife of Pascal P. Enos, successfully managed her husband’s extensive land holdings following his death and became one of early Springfield’s most generous benefactors. At her death, James Matheny described how Salome Enos dealt with … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Illinois State Library, circa 1900 (photo)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

The Illinois State Library was founded in 1839 by then-Secretary of State Stephen Douglas, who reserved space for it next to his new office in what is now the Old Capitol State Historic Site. Abraham Lincoln, who used the library … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Illinois capital, Social services, State government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Revolutionary War veterans buried in Sangamon County

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

This entry has been updated. A marker on the Old Capitol Plaza identifies 27 veterans of the American Revolution who are buried in Sangamon County, but that figure probably identifies only half of the patriots whose final resting places are … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Markers, Military, Prominent figures, Resources | Tagged | 2 Comments

Potawatomi Trail of Death

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Potawatomi Trail of Death is the name given to the forced removal in 1838 of more than 800 Potawatomi Native Americans from north-central Indiana to eastern Kansas. A total of 41 people, mostly children, died during the 10-week, 660-mile … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Native Americans | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Barack Obama in Springfield

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

President Barack Obama was an Illinois state senator, representing a Chicago district in Springfield, from 1997 to 2004. As a U.S. senator from 2005 to 2009, he also visited Springfield several times. Notably, he was one of the speakers, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois capital, Presidents, Prominent figures, State government | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Martin Van Buren meets Abraham Lincoln

Posted on April 13, 2013 by editor

Former president Martin Van Buren visited Springfield between June 16 and 19, 1842, and while there he visited the home of his first cousin, George Brunk, in Cotton Hill Township near Rochester. The house still stands today. Van Buren, a Democrat … Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels & taverns, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Donner Party: Emigrant tragedy

Posted on March 18, 2013 by editor

The Donner Party left Springfield to emigrate to California on April 14, 1846, but became stranded in deep snow near present-day Truckee, Calif. The group’s experience is remembered today primarily because, before the surviving members of the expedition were rescued, … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Early residents, Markers, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments