A Little Springfield History |  | | | Downtown Blues & BBQ 2007 | |
A Brief Sketch of
Springfield, Illinois
This pioneer settlement started in
1820 when John Kelly built the first cabin at the northwest corner of Second
and Jefferson Streets. Others came from North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky
to take advantage of the area's fertile soil and trading opportunities.
Originally named Calhoun after Senator John C. Calhoun of South
Carolina, the town received its permanent name in 1832 after the senator fell
from public favor.
A young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln came to make
the frontier town his home in 1837. In the same year, the state capital was
moved from Vandalia to Springfield through the legislative efforts of Lincoln
and eight friends known as the "Long Nine" (so called because their aggregate
height was 54 feet). He lived in the city until he left to become the 16th
President of the United States, in 1861. From that moment on, the city's
history and future have been inexorably tied to this most famous and beloved
American citizen.
The Civil War brought mixed blessings to Springfield.
The war took men to fight, but returned many economic benefits in the form of
new industries and businesses. The growing railroads made Springfield an
important link in the state railway system. By 1900, coal mining was a major
occupation along with politics and farming.
Today, Springfield, as the
state capital, has a well-developed economic base. It is the headquarters for
several nationally known insurance companies, as well as 125 other state,
regional and national associations. The community is recognized as a leader in
the fields of health care, services and education. Principal products include
metal fabricators, livestock and poultry feeds, space age electronics, flour
and cereal products, soybean and corn production.
Among the over 30
Springfields in the United States, this city is certainly unique. Only
Springfield, Illinois was the home of one of the most beloved historic figures
in the world. As Mr. Lincoln's Hometown, we host visitors from all over the
United States and the world who come to experience the Lincoln tradition.
Springfield is located at the intersection of Interstates 55 and 72.
Chicago lies 200 miles northeast of Springfield, St. Louis and Indianapolis lie
100 miles southwest and 195 miles due east, respectively.
Springfield Firsts
Here are a few historic "firsts" for
Springfield:
First Settlers
John Kelly and his wife Mary were the
first to build a cabin and settle in what is now Springfield. They arrived in
the spring of 1819 with their five children and John's brother,
Elisha.
First Street
A trail beginning near Beardstown, which
was used to bring supplies from the Illinois River, led past John Kelley's
cabin. Elijah Iles, whose store was on this trail, later named it Jefferson
Street.
First Leaders
As a town, Springfield was lead by a
board of Trustees with Charles Matheny as the first president of the board. As
a city, Benjamin S. Clements was elected the first mayor of Springfield along
with four alderman.
First Fire Department
Springfield has had volunteer fire
fighters since about 1839, but there wasn't a fire department with paid firemen
until 1869.
First Police
The Board of Trustees decided in 1835
that Springfield was large enough to need a constable.
First School
The first school opened in a log
building during the winter of 1821-22. It was a subscription school, or pay
school, located on a hill on the north side of Washington Street between what
is now Pasfield and Lewis Streets. Andrew Orr was the teacher who taught school
during that first winter session.
First Store
Elijah Iles opened a store in 1821. He
purchased goods in St. Louis, then had them sent up the Illinois River to the
site of present day Beardstown. They were then loaded onto wagons and brought
to Springfield.
First Churches
The Methodists were the first group to
organize (1821) and they built a church in 1830. The Presbyterians built the
first brick church and opened it just one month
later.
First Tavern
Opened one week before the first church
(just kidding). Actually, Elijah Slater was the first in Springfield to be
granted a license for a tavern; however, his was one of three taverns built in
1822. A tavern at that time was a place for travelers to get food, drink and a
place to stay.
Information collected from
Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau and Lincoln Library
materials.
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