Old State Capitol State Historic Site

August 28, 2026 Sightseers’ Delight
The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, in Springfield, Ill., as seen on Sept. 3, 2015. The building is the fifth capitol building built for the state of Illinois. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Overview

The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, in downtown Springfield, Illinois, sits where the state’s fifth Capitol building once stood. Built in the Greek Revival style between 1837 and 1840, the building served as the state house from 1840 to 1876. The building was extensively altered during its life as a courthouse. So, to restore and preserve the edifice, workers dismantled and rebuilt it between 1966 and 1969. The building today resembles its appearance in 1860, when Abraham Lincoln last saw the Capitol before leaving for Washington.

Quick Facts

Status
Existing
Locality or neighborhood
Springfield
State or province
Illinois
Address
S 6th St. & E Adams St., Springfield, IL 62701 Google Maps · Apple Maps
Postal code
62701

Visitor Information

Website
Official website
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Sightseers’ Delight started publishing in June 2016. The site, published by The DeFeo Groupe, collects and curates content about places where historical events large and small happened. The site builds off the legacy of The Travel Trolley, which launched in June 2009. The site aimed to be a virtual version of the trolley tours offered in so many cities.
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