Springfield, Illinois

Overview

Springfield is the site of a number of attractions centered around President Abraham Lincoln, who started his political career in Springfield. This includes a national park site including his home after marriage as well as the conserved surrounding neighborhood; the Herndon-Lincoln law office; the Old State Capitol building; the newly built Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; the train depot from whence he departed to Washington; and his burial mausoleum.

Related Topics:
Abraham Lincoln - Old State Capitol building

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North of Springfield, near the village of Petersburg, is restored hamlet of log cabins recreating New Salem, where Lincoln lived as a young man.

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As the current capital of Illinois, Springfield is also home to the sixth and current Illinois State Capitol built near the grounds of the old state capitol, and home to the Illinois State Government.

Related Topics:
Capital - Illinois State Capitol - Illinois State Government

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In addition, the NAACP was founded by a coalition of black and white citizens in Springfield in 1909, following severe race riots in 1908. The Donner Party, a group of pioneers who resorted to cannibalism while snowbound in the Sierra Nevada, originated in Springfield. Springfield's Dana-Thomas House is among the best preserved and most complete of Frank Lloyd Wright's early "Prairie" houses. It was built in 1902-04 and has retained many of the furnishings Wright designed for it. Springfield is known for its carillon and festival. In August, it is the site of the Illinois State Fair.

Related Topics:
NAACP - 1908 - Donner Party - Sierra Nevada - Frank Lloyd Wright - Carillon - Illinois State Fair

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Noted American poet Vachel Lindsay (1879 - 1931) was born and died in Springfield. Ragtime composer Artie Matthews (1888 - 1958) was raised in Springfield. The astronomer Seth Barnes Nicholson (1891 - 1963) was born in Springfield. Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887 - 1973), the philanthropist and founder of General Foods Corporation was also born there. Current Philadelphia 76ers player Andre Iguodala was born and raised in Springfield.

Related Topics:
Vachel Lindsay - Artie Matthews - Seth Barnes Nicholson - Marjorie Merriweather Post - 1887 - 1973 - General Foods Corporation - Philadelphia 76ers - Andre Iguodala

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The Springfield campus of the University of Illinois is located on the southeast side of the city. It is also home to the Bunn Company, known for the manufacture of coffee-makers and supplies. It lies along two interstates (one used to be highway 36), and lies on historic Route 66. When state senator Vince Demuzio died on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich declared a part of Interstate of I-55 from Carlinville (Demuzio represented Carlinville, Illinois, which is about an hour from the capitol) to Springfield calling it the "Vince Demuzio Expressway."

Related Topics:
Springfield campus - University of Illinois - Route 66 - Vince Demuzio - Rod Blagojevich - I-55 - Carlinville, Illinois - Capitol

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