Old State Capitol

1 SW Old State Capitol Plaza, (Adams & 5th St., Springfield, IL
Phone:

East < GO > West

This is the fifth building that served as the State Capitol for Illinois. The Greek Revival style building was built from 1837-1840 and was the capitol from 1840 until 1876. After its time as the capitol it was the Sangamon County Courthouse until 1966. In 1966 it was completely dismantled and then rebuilt to look as it did in the 1860s using the original stone on the exterior. The building reopened in 1969.

Abraham Lincoln served his last term as a state legislator in this building ending in 1841. He also declared as a candidate for president here and a few short years later his body lay in state here in 1865 after his death.

The building was placed on National Register of Historic Places in 1961 and serves as a museum today. The building is open for public tours.

Photo(s): 2015