Springfield, Ilinois

Our last post was all about Lincoln. Today we wrap up Springfield with a few other interesting sites.

This is the sixth state capital building, and it was completed in 1888 at a cost of $4.3 million. This is the second one in Springfield.

Why, you ask are there so many sites for the state capital? Well the first one, located in Kaskaskia, Illinois, was founded by the French in 1709. It was the territorial capital until 1809. The state had leased a two-story building for the sum of $4.00 a day. When the lease expired, the state let it go and hatched a plan to encourage people to buy land in the interior of the state. So, the capital was moved about 80 miles away to what would be called Vandelia, Illinois. The second capital was finished in 1820 and soon burned down. A third capital was erected in 1824, but many citizens wanted to move the capital toward the middle of the state. In 1836 Lincoln and several lawyers pushed for moving the capital to Springfield. That same year citizens demolished the current state capital, and the 4th was constructed in hopes of keeping it in Vandelia. On February 25, 1837, the general assembly ignored the votes of the people and decided to move the capital to Springfield.

The capital was built between 1837–1840, when Springfield became the capital city. It served as the state house from 1840 to 1876, when it was replaced by the current capital. This site has significance because it is here that Lincoln announced his candidacy for president in 1858 as well as Barrack Obama in 2007. It was in this building that Lincoln would plead cases before the supreme court.

Food around Springfield

We have a great little book on Route 66 history, and this restaurant was listed as a place to stop. We went in and wanted to try their famous corn dogs. The first bite as you sink your teeth into the corn meal was crunchy, but not too much. The corn meal flavors mixed with the hot dog swirled around your palette with a perfect mixture. The French fries were good with a special seasoning on them and the hamburger was definitely not their specialty. It you find yourself traveling along Route 66 and need some food, I highly recommend the corn dog at Cozy Dog. https://www.bing.com/alink/link?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.cozydogdrivein.com%2f&source=serp-local&h=Fs3%2bXum1DyzQnSZV63MLsQX2Re24Z6k61HJzn%2bmMPmc%3d&p=lw_lstpt&ig=02944A299BC947F2A89473C1EBD29E8A&ypid=YN292x5805122

Another Cracker Barrel in the books.

I love their fried chicken! Oh my goodness, not too much batter and the spices mixed with the chicken are just perfect. The apples taste like apple pie without the crust. Wowsers, so good! The mac and cheese, I wanted it to be so good, but it fell a little short.

Andrew had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and apples. As you can see, he loved the meatloaf, he devoured it before I got the picture taken.

Fun sightings around town.

Found these guys around town. I thinks stores use these for advertising around town.

This mural was on the side of a building near the train depot. It has Springfield notables. It was very big and could be seen as we were driving around town.

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