The capital of Illinois, Springfield was originally called Calhoun. It was named after Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. This area was occupied by trappers and traders settling by the Sangamon River in1818. When the public no longer saw eye to eye with Calhoun the town was renamed Springfield. In 1839 it became the third city to be named the capital of Illinois.
Springfield became a major center of activity during the Civil War. Illinois regiments trained there the first under Ulysses S. Grant. Camp Butler seven miles from the city opened in 1861 as a training camp for Illinois soldiers but also served as a camp for Confederate prisoners. When the war ended Springfield became a major hub in the Illinois railroad system and coal mining became a major industry by 1900.
Today people visit Springfield to see the State Capitol with its large dome and stained glass and historical statues. Other sites like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln’s restored home and the Lincoln Tomb.
Very interesting post. You always tell us something new.
it is also one of the most interesting cities to just walk around!
I was part of a team at work that bid the unification IT project for the State of Illinois. We spent a lot of time in Springfield!
I just knew you would be the one to say you were in Springfield Doc
50 states –
you would be hard-pressed to find a place I haven’t been to multiple locations.
Alaska and strangely Idaho are the ones I’ve only been to once each!
Interesting post … but I learned something new again, dear Sandra