The March 23rd Springfield Journal-Register had an article about the 40th anniversary of the 1837 State Capitol. That would be the 40th anniversary of its rebirth.
The building was started July 4, 1837 and it took 15 years to complete. It served as the state capitol until 1869 when Sangamon County bought it for $200,000 to be used as a courthouse after the completion of the new state capitol building which is still in use today.
By 1960 it had deteriorated badly and there was discussion about its destruction. Fortunately, the state came forward with $1.8 million, the most it had ever spent on a building, and the building was taken down and a parking lot built under it and then the structure was carefully stone by stone.
Those of you attending the Route 66 International Festival in nearby Litchfield, Illinois, should definitely consider going by it. The past 5 years, Springfield has hosted its own Route 66 festival and the old state capitol alsways serves as a centerpiece of the celebration with most of the activities happening around it.
This is One Impressive Structure of a Past Time. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
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