The Capitals of Illinois

Illinois History

Illinois’ First Capital

1818 – Kaskaskia selected 1st capital of the new state

Illinois government decided this location would be temporary

Kaskaskia Declines in Population:

Kaskaskia had 2 major problems:-Population declined-Periodic flooding from the Miss. R.

Eventually, the Miss. R shifts and Kaskaskia became an island

How the States Got Their Shapes – History ChannelStart at minute mark – 8.16 to the end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSK1uGbb84c

The Move to Vandalia:

IL senators requested a land grant to build a new capital closer to the interior

1819 - Land speculators convinced the government to build the new capital in Vandalia

Vandalia was initially just a wilderness

Speculators bought a lot of land on credit, hoping to get rich later

Problems in Vandalia:

-Land prices did not go up – people lost $- Town was too small for all the government officials (no where to sleep)

1823 – capital building burnt, new one was built but it was still too small

1834 – people of Illinois vote for new capital location but ends in three-way tieVandalia 1/3 - Springfield 1/3 - Alton 1/3

Vandalia builds larger 3rd capital building but construction work angers gov. officials

Vandalia is still a small town today…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzqA9Paef78

Capital Building in Vandalia, IL

Springfield Becomes the Permanent Capital:

1837 – Springfield wins capital because:

-Population increase

-Town pledges $50,000 for new building

-Donated town square