OLD STATE CAPITOL

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In 1837 Springfield was chosen as the capital of Illinois, the third city to have the honor. The capitol building, now called the Old State Capitol because it has been replaced by a newer structure, began being used in 1839 but was not completed until 1853. Lincoln served as a state representative in the building, he gave his famous “House Divided” speech there in 1858 and his body was placed on public display there the day before his funeral.

Discover why Lincoln and eight fellow legislators were called the “Long Nine” and learn other historical tidbits by clicking on the More Information button.

 

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During the 1960s the Old State Capital was taken down stone by stone and then rebuilt to look as it did during Lincoln’s era.

Link to official Old State Capitol web site:
 www.state.il.us/HPA/hs/Capitol.htm

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Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech in the House of Representatives chamber in the Old State Capitol, and some 75,000 viewed his body there before he was buried.


Lincoln argued many cases before the Illinois Supreme Court in this room of the Old State Capitol.


The elegant rotunda of the Old State Capitol is shown here decorated with banners for a celebration.


Lincoln used the governor’s reception office in the Old State Capitol as a place to meet with people during his campaign for president and from the time of his election until he left for Washington, D.C.

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