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65-556: Their first season was the 2002 season and the Jackhammers had been preceded in Joliet by the minor league Joliet Convicts , who began play in 1890. The Jackhammers first playoff appearance came in their first season. The 2008 Jackhammers were managed by one time Arizona Diamondback managerial candidate Wally Backman . The primary radio announcer was Jon Versteeg. The Jackhammers, in response to extremely low attendance in 2009, had

130-659: A Democratic region. He chiefly studied poll books for presidential years. The rise of the Whig Party took place in 1836 in opposition to the presidential candidacy of Martin Van Buren and was consolidated in 1840. Springfield Whigs tend to validate several expectations of party characteristics as they were largely native-born, either in New England or Kentucky, professional or agricultural in occupation, and devoted to partisan organization. Abraham Lincoln's career reflects

195-1023: A common occurrence throughout the spring and summer. From 1961 to 1990 the city of Springfield averaged 35.25 inches (895 mm) of precipitation per year. During that same period the average yearly temperature was 52.4 °F (11.3 °C), with a summer maximum of 76.5 °F (24.7 °C) in July and a winter minimum of 24.2 °F (−4.3 °C) in January. From 1971 to 2000, NOAA data showed that Springfield's annual mean temperature increased slightly to 52.7 °F (11.5 °C). During that period, July averaged 76.3 °F (24.6 °C), while January averaged 25.1 °F (−3.8 °C). From 1981 to 2010, NOAA data showed that Springfield's annual mean temperature increased slightly to 53.1 °F (11.7 °C). During that period, July averaged 76.0 °F (24.4 °C), while January averaged 26.9 °F (−2.8 °C). From 1991 to 2020, NOAA's latest dataset showed

260-411: A continued increase in the annual mean to 54.0 °F (12.2 °C). During that period, July averaged 76.5 °F (24.7 °C), while January averaged 27.9 °F (−2.3 °C). On June 14, 1957, a tornado hit Springfield, killing two people. On March 12, 2006, the city was struck by two F2 tornadoes . The storm system which brought the two tornadoes hit the city around 8:30pm; no one died as

325-531: A game, 4th in the league. The team was sold in December 2010 after months of negotiations to Steel City Baseball LLC. Steel City bought all assets to the team seeing as they owed $ 220,000 to the city. With the sale, none of the unpaid bills will be paid off. Steel City changed the team's name for the 2011 season, and the team joined the Frontier League . On January 12, 2011 GM John Dittrich announced for

390-424: A household in the city was $ 39,388, and the median income for a family was $ 51,298. Families with children had a higher income of about $ 69,437. Males had a median income of $ 36,864 versus $ 28,867 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 23,324. About 8.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over. Many of

455-625: A labor activist, and Marjorie Merriweather Post , the founder of the General Foods Corporation , lived in the city; Post in particular was a native of Springfield. In addition, astronomer Seth Barnes Nicholson was born in Springfield in 1891. A Madeiran Portuguese community resided in the vicinity of the Carpenter Street Underpass, one of the earliest and largest Portuguese settlements in

520-567: A plain near the Sangamon River north of Lake Springfield . The city is on historic Route 66 . Springfield was settled by European-Americans in the late 1810s, around the time Illinois became a state. The most famous historic resident was Abraham Lincoln , who lived in Springfield from 1837 until 1861, upon becoming President of the United States . Major tourist attractions include multiple sites connected with Lincoln including

585-400: A result of the riot: nine black residents, and seven white residents who were associated with the mob, five of whom were killed by state militia and two committed suicide. The riot ended when the governor sent in more than 3,700 militiamen to patrol the city, but isolated incidents of white violence against blacks continued in Springfield into September. On March 12, 2006, two F2 tornadoes hit

650-564: A result of the weather. Springfield received a federal grant in February 2005 to help improve its tornado warning systems and new sirens were put in place in November 2006 after eight of the sirens failed during an April 2006 test, shortly after the tornadoes hit. The cost of the new sirens totaled $ 983,000. Although tornadoes are not uncommon in central Illinois, the March 12 tornadoes were

715-423: A small "core community" of economically successful, socially homogeneous, and politically active voters and officeholders who controlled local political affairs, while most residents moved in and out of the city. Members of a tightly knit and exclusive "core community", exemplified by Abraham Lincoln , blunted the potentially disruptive impact of migration on local communities. The case of John Williams illustrates

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780-425: A total makeover to start the 2010 season. Everything, from the roster and management, all the way down to the uniforms, was re-done. Their offseason advertising campaign was also very aggressive, and included everything from newspaper ads to billboards. The Jackhammers made the playoffs for the first time in 8 years, making the season a success performance-wise. They still lagged in attendance, averaging about 3,500 fans

845-508: A viable synodical tradition. Springfield became a major center of activity during the American Civil War. Illinois regiments trained there, the first ones under Ulysses S. Grant . He led his soldiers to a remarkable series of victories in 1861–62. The city was a political and financial center of Union support. New industries, businesses, and railroads were constructed to help support the war effort. The war's first official death

910-480: A wide array of individuals, who, in one way or another, contributed to the broader American culture. Wandering poet Vachel Lindsay , most famous for his poem "The Congo" and a booklet called "Rhymes to be Traded for Bread", was born in Springfield in 1879. At least two notable people affiliated with American business and industry have called the Illinois state capital home at one time or another. Both John L. Lewis ,

975-412: Is a 4,200-acre (1,700 ha) human-made reservoir owned by City Water, Light & Power , the largest municipally owned utility in Illinois. It was built and filled in 1935 by damming Lick Creek , a tributary of the Sangamon River which flows past Springfield's northern outskirts. The lake is used primarily as a source for drinking water for the city of Springfield, also providing cooling water for

1040-424: Is a radical departure from Victorian architectural traditions. Covering 12,000 square feet (1,100 m ), the house contained vaulted ceilings and 16 major spaces. As the nation was changing, so Wright intended this structure to reflect the changes. Creating an organic and natural atmosphere, Wright saw himself as an "architect of democracy" and intended his work to be a monument to America's social landscape. It

1105-401: Is an area bordered by 3rd Street on its west, Black Avenue on the north, 8th street on the east and North Grand Avenue. The neighborhood is not far from Lincoln's Tomb on Monument Avenue. Springfield completely surrounds four suburbs that have their own municipal governments: Jerome , Leland Grove , Southern View , and Grandview . It also surrounds various unincorporated enclaves, including

1170-652: Is land and 6.284 square miles (16.28 km ) (or 9.56%) is water. The city is located in the Lower Illinois River Basin, in a large area known as Till Plain. Sangamon County, and the city of Springfield, are in the Springfield Plain subsection of Till Plain. The Plain is underlain by glacial till that was deposited by a large continental ice sheet that repeatedly covered the area during the Illinoian Stage . The majority of

1235-673: Is the capital city of the U.S. state of Illinois and the seat of Sangamon County . The city's population was 114,394 at the 2020 census , which makes it the state's seventh-most populous city , the second-most populous outside of the Chicago metropolitan area (after Rockford ), and the most populous in Central Illinois . Approximately 208,000 residents live in the Springfield metropolitan area , which consists of all of Sangamon and Menard counties. Springfield lies in

1300-488: Is the only historic site later acquired by the state exclusively because of its architectural merit. The structure was opened to the public as a museum house in September 1990; tours are available, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Sparked by the alleged rape of a white woman by a black man and the murder of a white engineer, supposedly also by a black man, in Springfield, and reportedly angered by

1365-404: Is used or a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. In recent years, winter temperatures have increased substantially while summer temperatures have remained equal to the preiod 30 years before. Hot, humid summers and cold, rather snowy winters are the norm. Springfield is located on the farthest reaches of Tornado Alley , and as such, thunderstorms are

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1430-716: The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum , Lincoln Home , Old State Capitol , Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices , and the Lincoln Tomb . Largely on the efforts of Lincoln and other area lawmakers, as well as its central location, Springfield was made the state capital in 1839. As the state capital, the government of Illinois is based in Springfield. Springfield's economy is dominated by government agencies and adjacent firms that work with state and county governance, in addition to healthcare and medicine. State government institutions include

1495-918: The Illinois General Assembly , the Illinois Supreme Court , the office of the Governor of Illinois and historic Illinois Governor's Mansion . The University of Illinois Springfield has its campus near Lake Springfield. Weather is fairly typical for middle-latitude locations, with four distinct seasons. The city has a mayor–council form of government and governs the Capital Township . Public schools in Springfield are operated by District No. 186. Settlers originally named this community as "Calhoun", after Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina , expressing their cultural ties. The land that Springfield now occupies

1560-699: The Illinois-Iowa League from 1890 to 1892, the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League in 1903 and Northern Association in 1910. Early baseball in Joliet featured the amateur "Joliet Stone Citys" as a local team beginning in 1875. On September 28, 1875, Joliet hosted a game against the original Chicago White Stockings, who became the Chicago Cubs . Joliet lost the game by the score of 29–1. Joliet first hosted minor league baseball in 1890. The Joliet Convicts became members of

1625-644: The Independent level Illinois-Iowa League . In their first season of play, the Joliet Convicts placed sixth with a record of 56–59 in the eight–team Illinois–Iowa League. W.E. Buckley and Ed Culberson served as the Joliet managers as the Convicts finished 14.0 games behind the first place Ottumwa Coal Palace Kings in the final standings. The Joliet use of the "Convicts" moniker was in reference to local industry, with Joliet, Illinois being home to

1690-608: The Joliet Correctional Center beginning in 1858. In 1891, the Joliet Giants continued play as members of the Illinois–Iowa League and finished in second place. Joliet ended the 1891 season with a record of 62–48 as Billy Moran and Tim Manning served as managers. The Giants finished 8.0 games behind the first place Quincy Ravens in the final 1891 standings. The 1892 Joliet Convicts won

1755-652: The Joliet Slammers have continued play as members of the Frontier League . The name of the Joliet early home minor league ballpark(s) is unknown. It was noted the Convicts' home ballpark was located on Mississippi Avenue, between Fourth Avenue and Hickory Creek in Joliet, Illinois. Beginning in 2002, the Joliet minor league teams have hosted minor league home games at Duly Health and Care Field . Joliet (minor league baseball) players Joliet Convicts players Joliet Giants players Joliet Standards players Springfield, Illinois Springfield

1820-493: The central section of Illinois, Springfield is 80 miles (130 km) northeast of St. Louis . The Champaign/Urbana area is to the east, Peoria is to the north, and Bloomington–Normal is to the northeast. Decatur is 40 miles (64 km) due east. The city is at an elevation of 558 feet (170 m) above sea level . According to the 2010 census, Springfield has a total area of 65.764 square miles (170.33 km ), of which 59.48 square miles (154.05 km ) (or 90.44%)

1885-548: The 1850s. Widespread migration in the 19th-century United States produced frequent population turnover within Midwestern communities, which influenced patterns of voter turnout and office-holding. Examination of the manuscript census, poll books, and office-holding records reveals the effects of migration on the behavior and voting patterns of 8,000 participants in 10 elections in Springfield. Most voters were short-term residents who participated in only one or two elections during

1950-542: The 1850s. Fewer than 1% of all voters participated in all 10 elections. Instead of producing political instability, however, rapid turnover enhanced the influence of the more stable residents. Migration was selective by age, occupation, wealth, and birthplace. Longer-term or "persistent" voters, as he terms them, tended to be wealthier, more highly skilled, more often native-born, and socially more stable than non-persisters. Officeholders were particularly persistent and socially and economically advantaged. Persisters represented

2015-660: The 1892 season. In 1903, the Joliet Standards played briefly as members of the Class B level Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League . On June 12, 1902, Joliet had a record of 14–19 when the franchise relocated to Springfield, Illinois . The Joliet Standards/Springfield Foot Trackers ended the Illinois–Iowa–Indiana League season with an overall record of 42–80 placing eighth and last in the standings. Frank Belt served as manager, as Joliet finished 31.5 games behind

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2080-606: The 2011 season the new team would be called the Joliet Slammers . The team will continue to use Silver Cross Field as their home venue. Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches [REDACTED] Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list  updated 2010-05-23 [ Transactions] Joliet Convicts Minor league baseball teams were based in Aurora, Illinois between 1890 and 1910, before resuming play in 2002. Joliet teams played as members of

2145-414: The Illinois–Iowa League championship. The Convicts ended the 1892 season with a record of 55–27, placing first in the Illinois–Iowa League, which held no playoffs. Billy Murray served as manager of the championship season, as Joliet finished 10.0 games ahead of the second place Rockford Hustlers in the eight–team league. Four league teams folded during the season and the Illinois–Iowa League folded following

2210-599: The Lower Illinois River Basin is flat, with relief extending no more than 20 feet (6.1 m) in most areas, including the Springfield subsection of the plain. The differences in topography are based on the age of drift. The Springfield and Galesburg Plain subsections represent the oldest drift, Illinoian, while Wisconsinian drift resulted in end moraines on the Bloomington Ridged Plain subsection of Till Plain. Lake Springfield

2275-561: The Midwest. The Portuguese immigrants that originated the community left Madeira because they experienced social ostracization due to being Protestants in their largely Catholic homeland, having been converted to Protestantism by a Scottish reverend named Robert Reid Kalley , who visited Madeira in 1838. These Protestant Madeiran exiles relocated to the Caribbean island of Trinidad before settling permanently in Springfield in 1849. By

2340-499: The NW corner of 2nd and Jefferson, often mistaken for the original home site, marks instead the location of the first county courthouse, which was later built on Kelly's property. In 1821, Calhoun was designated as the county seat of Sangamon County due to its location, fertile soil and trading opportunities. Settlers from Kentucky , Virginia , and North Carolina came to the developing settlement. By 1832, Senator Calhoun had fallen out of

2405-689: The Northern Association season with an overall record of 24–34, placing sixth in the National Association. Hunkey Hines served as manager as the Jteam finished 13.5 games behind the first place Elgin Kittens . The Northern Association permanently folded on July 19, 1910. Joliet was without minor league baseball until the 2002 Joliet Jackhammers began play as members of the Independent level Northern League . Since 2011,

2470-576: The Whigs' political rise but, by the 1840s, Springfield began to be dominated by Democratic politicians. Waves of new European immigrants had changed the city's demographics and they became aligned with the Democrats, who made more effort to assist and connect with them. By the 1860 presidential election, Lincoln was barely able to win his home city. Winkle earlier had studied the effect of migration on residents' political participation in Springfield during

2535-533: The census of 2000, there were 111,454 people, 48,621 households, and 27,957 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,063.9 people per square mile (796.9 people/km ). There were 53,733 housing units at an average density of 995.0 per square mile (384.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 81.0% White , 15.3% African American , 0.2% Native American , 1.5% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.5% from other races , and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of

2600-616: The city's businesses prospered from camp traffic, drunken behavior and rowdiness on the part of the soldiers stationed there strained relations. Neither civil nor military authorities proved able to control disorderly outbreaks. After the war ended in 1865, Springfield became a major hub in the Illinois railroad system. It was a center of government and farming. By 1900 it was also invested in coal mining and processing. Local poet Vachel Lindsay 's notions of utopia were expressed in his only novel, The Golden Book of Springfield (1920), which draws on ideas of anarchistic socialism in projecting

2665-554: The city, injuring 24 people, damaging hundreds of buildings, and causing $ 150 million in damages. On February 10, 2007, then-senator Barack Obama announced his presidential candidacy in Springfield, standing on the grounds of the Old State Capitol . Senator Obama also used the Old State Capitol in Springfield as a backdrop when he announced Joe Biden as his running mate on August 23, 2008. Located within

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2730-562: The city. According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Civilian Labor force dropped from 116,500 in September 2006 to 113,400 in February 2007. In addition, the unemployment rate rose during the same time period from 3.8% to 5.1%. According to the city's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are: Springfield has been home to

2795-417: The city. The largest private sector employer in 2002 was Memorial Health System with 3,400 people working for the organization. According to estimates from the "Living Wage Calculator" the living wage for the city of Springfield is $ 7.89 per hour for one adult, approximately $ 15,780 working 2,000 hours per year. For a family of four, costs are increased and the living wage is $ 17.78 per hour within

2860-483: The condensers at the power plant on the lake. It attracts approximately 600,000 visitors annually and its 57 miles (92 km) of shoreline is home to over 700 lakeside residences and eight public parks. The term "full pool" describes the lake at 560 feet (170 m) above sea level and indicates the level at which the lake begins to flow over the dam's spillway , if no gates are opened. Normal lake levels are generally somewhere below full pool, depending upon

2925-822: The downtown area to names of notable people in Springfield and Illinois to names of institutions of higher education, especially in the Harvard Park neighborhood. Springfield has at least twenty separately designated neighborhoods , though not all have neighborhood associations. They include: Benedictine District, Bunn Park, Downtown, Eastsview, Enos Park, Glen Aire, Harvard Park, Hawthorne Place, Historic West Side, Lincoln Park, Mather and Wells, Medical District, Near South, Northgate, Oak Ridge, Old Aristocracy Hill, Pillsbury District, Shalom, Springfield Lakeshore, Toronto , Twin Lakes, UIS Campus, Victoria Lake, Vinegar Hill, and Westchester neighborhoods. The Lincoln Park Neighborhood

2990-742: The early twentieth century, these immigrants resided in the western extension of a neighborhood known as the "Badlands". The Badlands was included in the widespread destruction and violence of the Springfield Race Riot in August 1908, an event that led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Carpenter Street archaeological site possesses local and national significance for its potential to contribute to an understanding of

3055-480: The favor with the public and the town renamed itself as Springfield. According to local history, the name was suggested by the wife of John Kelly, after Spring Creek, which ran through the area known as "Kelly's Field". Kaskaskia was the first capital of the Illinois Territory from its organization in 1809, continuing through statehood in 1818, and through the first year as a state in 1819. Vandalia

3120-561: The first place Bloomington Bloomers . Minor league baseball returned briefly in 1910, as the Joliet Jolly-ites began the season as members of the Class D level Northern Association , before relocating during the season. On June 21, 1910, Joliet had a record of 21–18 when the franchise relocated to Sterling, Illinois and finished the season as the Sterling Infants . The Joliet Jolly-ites/Sterling Infants ended

3185-648: The first to hit the actual city since the 1957 storm. The 2006 tornadoes followed nearly identical paths to that of the 1957 tornado. Springfield proper is largely based on a grid street system, with numbered streets starting with the longitudinal First Street (which leads to the Illinois State Capitol) and leading to 32nd Street in the far eastern part of the city. Previously, the city had four distinct boundary streets: North, South, East, and West Grand Avenues. Since expansion, West Grand Avenue became MacArthur Boulevard and East Grand became 19th Street on

3250-457: The government's Indian Removal policy. Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Springfield area in 1831 when he was a young man, but he did not live in the city until 1837. He spent the ensuing six years in New Salem , where he began his legal studies, joined the state militia , and was elected to the Illinois General Assembly . In 1837, Lincoln moved to Springfield, where he lived and worked for

3315-531: The high degree of corruption in the city, rioting broke out on August 14, 1908, and continued for three days in a period of violence known as the Springfield race riot . Gangs of white youth and blue-collar workers attacked the predominantly black areas of the city known as the Levee district, where most black businesses were located, and the Badlands, where many black residences stood. At least sixteen people died as

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3380-477: The important role of the merchant banker in the economic development of central Illinois before the Civil War. Williams began his career as a clerk in frontier stores and saved to begin his own business. Later, in addition to operating retail and wholesale stores, he acted as a local banker. He organized a national bank in Springfield. He was active in railroad promotion and as an agent for farm machinery. During

3445-526: The jobs in the city center around state government, headquartered in Springfield. As of 2002, the State of Illinois is both the city and county's largest employer, employing 17,000 people across Sangamon County. As of February 2007, government jobs, including local, state and county, account for about 30,000 of the city's non-agricultural jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities, and the health care industries each provide between 17,000 and 18,000 jobs to

3510-431: The mid-19th century, the spiritual needs of German Lutherans in the Midwest were not being tended. There had been a wave of migration after the 1848 revolutions, but without a related number of clergy. As a result of the efforts of such missionaries as Friedrich Wyneken, Wilhelm Loehe, and Wilhelm Sihler, additional Lutheran ministers were sent to the Midwest, Lutheran schools were opened, and Concordia Theological Seminary

3575-421: The neighborhoods of Laketown and Cabbage Patch . At the 2010 Census, 75.8% of the population was White , 18.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% Asian, and 2.6% of two or more races. 2.0% of Springfield's population was of Hispanic or Latino origin (they may be of any race). Non-Hispanic Whites were 74.7% of the population in 2010, down from 87.6% in 1980. As of

3640-533: The next 24 years as a lawyer and politician. Lincoln delivered his Lyceum address in Springfield. His farewell speech when he left for Washington is a classic in American oratory. Historian Kenneth J. Winkle (1998) examines the historiography concerning the development of the Second Party System (Whigs versus Democrats). He applied these ideas to the study of Springfield, a strong Whig enclave in

3705-549: The north side and 18th Street on the south side. 18th Street has since been renamed after Martin Luther King Jr. North and South Grand Avenues (which run east–west) have remained important corridors in the city. At South Grand Avenue and Eleventh Street, the old "South Town District" lies, with the City of Springfield undertaking a significant redevelopment project there. Latitudinal streets range from names of presidents in

3770-400: The population. There were 48,621 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

3835-498: The progress of Lindsay's hometown toward utopia. The Dana–Thomas House is a Frank Lloyd Wright design built in 1902–03. Wright began work on the house in 1902. Commissioned by Susan Lawrence Dana, a local patron of the arts and public benefactor, Wright designed a house to harmonize with the owner's devotion to the performance of music. Coordinating art glass designs for 250 windows, doors, and panels as well as over 200 light fixtures, Wright enlisted Oak Park artisans. The house

3900-453: The season. During the drought from 1953 to 1955, lake levels dropped to their historical low, 547.44 feet (166.86 m) AMSL . The highest recorded lake levels were in December 1982, when the lake crested at 564 feet (172 m). Under the Köppen climate classification , Springfield falls within either a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm

3965-402: Was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.94. In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males. The median income for

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4030-466: Was a Springfield resident, Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth . Camp Butler, located seven miles (11 km) northeast of Springfield, Illinois, opened in August 1861 as a training camp for Illinois soldiers. It also served as a camp for Confederate prisoners of war through 1865. In the beginning, Springfield residents visited the camp to take part in the excitement of a military venture, but many reacted sympathetically to mortally wounded and ill prisoners. While

4095-532: Was founded in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 1846. The seminary moved to St. Louis, Missouri , in 1869, and then to Springfield in 1874. During the last half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod succeeded in serving the spiritual needs of Midwestern congregations by establishing additional seminaries from ministers trained at Concordia, and by developing

4160-435: Was the second state capital of Illinois, from 1819 to 1839. Springfield was designated in 1839 as the third capital, and has continued to be so. The designation was largely due to the efforts of Abraham Lincoln and his associates; nicknamed the "Long Nine" for their combined height of 54 feet (16 m). The Potawatomi Trail of Death passed through here in 1838. The Native Americans were forced west to Indian Territory by

4225-523: Was visited first by trappers and fur traders who came to the Sangamon River in 1818. The first cabin was built in 1820, by John Kelly, after discovering the area to be plentiful of deer and wild game. He built his cabin upon a hill, overlooking a creek known eventually as the Town Branch. A stone marker on the north side of Jefferson street, halfway between 1st and College streets, marks the location of this original dwelling. A second stone marker at

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