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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