Springfield History

Located in the center of Illinois, Springfield is the state capital and the seat of Seagram County. The city was first settled in 1820, when John Kelly built his cabin at what would become the northwest corner of 2nd and Jefferson Streets. Other settlers from Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina followed, drawn by the region's fertile soil and opportunities for trade. The community was originally named Calhoun, in honor of Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. However, Calhoun's staunch pro-slavery views proved to be unpopular in Illinois, and the town changed its name to Springfield in 1832. It is generally believed that the name came from a nearby spring on Kelly's land.

A young Abraham Lincoln moved to Springfield in 1837 and successfully campaigned to have the town named the state capital of Illinois. He remained in Springfield for almost 25 years, until he was elected President. On February 11, 1861, Lincoln gave his famous farewell address in Springfield. After his assassination in 1865, Lincoln's body was returned to Springfield and buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

There are many historic landmarks in Springfield devoted to Lincoln, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, as well as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Other popular attractions include the Illinois State Fair and the Cozy Dog Drive In, where the corn dog on a stick was invented in 1946.