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Real Estate & Homes in Springfield - Springfield INformation Springfield Background The capital of Illinois, Springfield is a city deeply connected to its legacy as the home and workplace of Abraham Lincoln in the years before his presidency. A peaceful, mid-sized city located squarely in the middle of an agricultural state known primarily for being the home of Chicago, Springfield is an affluent community of state fairs, Lincoln memorials, and the tranquility of midwestern life. History A man named John Kelly first settled Springfield in 1820; the city, which grew up around his home, was originally known as Calhoun, after Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. The city was renamed “Springfield” in 1832. The state capitol was moved to Springfield from Vandalia in 1837, the same year that brought a young man named Abraham Lincoln to the city from the nearby village of New Salem. In 1909, Springfield saw the founding of the NAACP by a local coalition of black and white citizens. The organization’s founding was a response to the race riots of 1908. Fast Facts City population: 111,454 Community Springfield is in many ways an archetypical midsize midwestern city; in fact, were it not for its significant historical interest due to the connection to Lincoln, there would be almost nothing to distinguish it from hundreds of other cities like it. It has many attractive features, chief among them being city-owned utilities and very low housing costs, which make life in Springfield extremely affordable. The park system and public school system are very good, and the city is far enough from its nearest major urban centers (it is situation on I-55, 200 miles southwest of Chicago and 100 miles northeast of St. Louis) to escape the big-city problems, but is close enough to both to afford easy access to their resources. Attractions One could not spend very long in Springfield before becoming aware of the city’s connection to Abraham Lincoln. His presence and personal history are all pervasive. The President lived here for 25 years, becoming a prominent local attorney, and only left when he was elected President. The sites of interest associated with his life are numerous. The most significant Lincoln-related attraction is probably his preserved home, the only home that Lincoln ever owned. The Lincoln family resided in this home from 1844 to 1861; the house (known as the Quaker-Brown House) has been preserved, and tours are conducted by National Park Service Rangers. Lincoln’s tomb is another favorite stop; the huge monument is located in Oak Ridge Cemetery, where Civil War re-enactors perform a flag-lowering ceremony every Tuesday evening during the summer. A more interactive site is Lincoln’s New Salem, a period-accurate reproduction of the village where Lincoln lived and worked as a young man from 1831 to 1837. Costumed guides provide historical information and demonstrations about life in this pioneer village. The Old State Capitol Building, where Lincoln delivered his famous “house divided against itself” speech, is now home to the historical society. At other sites throughout the city, one can view Lincoln’s law offices, his household ledgers, and even the pew in which his family sat during church. The newest addition to Springfield’s Lincoln sites is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Completed in 2003, the museum houses a collection of Lincoln documents, exhibits, and a reproduction of the 1861 White House. The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Lincoln historical artifacts. Not everything in Springfield is Lincoln-related. The city is also home to a very fine Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Dana-Thomas house, one of his most famous Prairie-style dwellings. Built in 1902, it is complete with original furniture and glass. Springfield also has a modest zoo, the Henson Robinson Zoo, which is inexpensive and kid-friendly. The current state capitol, the tallest domed capitol building in the country, is also a common tourist destination. Arts & Culture The Sangamon Auditorium on the University of Illinois campus is home to both the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Ballet Company. In addition, the Muni outdoor theater hosts musicals all summer, and the historic New Salem village features summertime plays and shows in a natural setting. Education Springfield is home to one of the three main campuses of the University of Illinois (the other two, both larger and more well-known, are located in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign). Its enrollment is only about 6,500, including 2000 graduate students (compared to UI Chicago’s 25,000 enrollment and Urbana-Champaign’s of 40,000). Other postsecondary institutions in Springfield include Springfield College, a small junior college, and Lincoln Land Community College. Sports & Recreation One thing Springfield is definitely lacking is organized, professional sports. The local universities aren’t large enough to be significant competitors, and the city is not home to any organized sports teams, major or minor league. The area does have significant recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, and water activities on Lake Springfield. There are also a large number of golf courses and family-oriented recreational facilities. Festivals The summer festival season in Springfield is dominated by the Illinois State Fair, which brings as many as 100,000 visitors to the city every August. Springfield also hosts the International Carillon Festival in early July, in which thousands of bell-ringers converge upon the city from all over the world, offering evening concerts. The annual Old Capitol Art Fair, held every May since 1962, draws some 30,000 visitors to the center of town to view and purchase the work of hundreds of artisans in art, craft, jewelry making, and every imaginable artistic medium. One unique event is the Route 66 Mother Road Festival, commemorating the venerable highway and the roadside culture that grew up around it. Route 66 passed through Springfield, and a number of historical diners and road-related businesses have survived and been restored to their early-century state. For those who prefer their transportation on two wheels, Springfield is also home to the Springfield Mile motorcycle race, run each Memorial Day weekend. Dining Springfield’s dining scene is typical of a town of its size, but the city is famous for two culinary creations, which befit the traditional-Americana atmosphere of the area. The Cozy Drive In, a key stop on the historic Route 66 tour, is the home of the “Cozy dog,” what most of us would call a corndog. The restaurant retains its mid-century atmosphere and flavor, and is still famous for the cozy dogs. Another local culinary oddity is the so-called “horseshoe” sandwich, a kind of open-faced meat sandwich topped with cheese sauce and yes, French fries. Although several local eateries feature the sandwiches, including D’arcy’s Pint, a pub called Norb Andy’s claims to be the innovator behind the horseshoe. Economy The Springfield economy is well balanced between manufacturing, retail, research and healthcare. The insurance industry is an especially strong presence; twelve nationally known companies keep their headquarters there. Agriculture provides a strong base for the local economy; feed for poultry and livestock are the predominant local crops. The state government is a major contributor, and given Illinois’ important politically, the activity around the capitol community is a significant economic contributor. The median income in Louisville is $39,388 for a household and $51,298 for a family. Given the low cost of living in Springfield, these high figures give a picture of a significantly well-off community.
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