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Show AMERICANA Cities to Sea Springfield-Chosen City of Abe Lincoln . h t Lit i i v -lis . t -r 1. 1 M, -Wl My'i $ 15 U fF . 'TOP-J.J IWi Lincoln Home Springfield, 111. THERE are two things about Springfield, Illinois, that are known to virtually every American; Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the chosen city and final resting place of Abraham Lincoln. These are separate distinctions, but both eventualities are a part of the heritage of the great President. During the 1836-37 session of the Illinois General Assembly, one of the chief matters at hand was the selection of a new site for the Capitol. Cap-itol. Five cities were under consideration. con-sideration. Abraham Lincoln, a young lawyer representing Sangamon Sanga-mon County, introduced a bill providing pro-viding for removal of the Capitol of Illinois to Springfield. He was backed by eight fellow members who with him were known as the "Long Nine," because all were over six feet in height. Springfield was selected (Vandalla had been the Capitol) and the State Legislature Legisla-ture first assembled in Springfield In 1839. The Capitol at Springfield was completed in 1853. It took 15 years to build and cost $260,000. Constructed Con-structed of cut stone brought from a quarry six miles away, it was considered one of the architectural wonders of the State. The present Capitol, completed 1887, cost more than $4,500,000. Tourist attractions Include the Capitol Group principal buildings of State Government. In addition to the Capitol, are the Illinois Centennial Cen-tennial Building, commemorating the admission of the State to the Union in 1818; the Illinois Supreme Court Building; State Armory; and a new $11,000,000 State Office Building completed in 1955. No visit to Springfield would be complete without viewing Lincoln's Horn and Tomb. New Salem State Park, a half-hour's half-hour's drive from Springfield, Is an authentic re-creation of the village where young Lincoln clerked in a store, chopped wood, enlisted in the Black Hawk War, served as postmaster, deputy surveyor and legislator, and met Ann Rutledge. |