1. The Capitals of Illinois Illinois History

2. Illinois’ First Capital 1818 – Kaskaskia selected 1 st capital of the new state Illinois government decided this location would be temporary

3. 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

4. How the States Got Their Shapes – History Channel Start at minute mark – 8.16 to the end http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSK1uGbb84c

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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 tie Vandalia 1/3 - Springfield 1/3 - Alton 1/3

8. Vandalia builds larger 3 rd capital building but construction work angers gov. officials Vandalia is still a small town today… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzqA9Pa ef78

9. Capital Building in Vandalia, IL

10. Springfield Becomes the Permanent Capital: 1837 – Springfield wins capital because: -Population increase -Town pledges $50,000 for new building -Donated town square