Vandalia State House State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Vandalia State House
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Madonna of the Trail statue in front of the Vandalia State House.
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Vandalia, Fayette County, Illinois, USA |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000760 |
| Added to NRHP | January 21, 1974 |
The Vandalia State House is a very old and important building in Illinois. It was built in 1836 and was the fourth building where the state government met. It's special because it's the oldest state capitol building in Illinois that is still standing today. The first three capitols are gone! This brick building shows what Illinois was like in its early, "pioneer" days. You can find it in Vandalia, Illinois, right on the historic National Road. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a really important historical site.
Contents
Illinois' Early Capitol Buildings
When Illinois became a state in 1818, its first government center was in Kaskaskia. But the state quickly moved its capital in 1820 because of problems with the environment.
The First Three Capitols
The second statehouse was built in Vandalia out of wood. Sadly, it burned down just three years later in 1823.
A third capitol building was quickly built in 1824. This building became famous because it was where Abraham Lincoln started his political career. He joined the Illinois General Assembly (the state's law-making group) in 1834.
Lincoln and other lawmakers from central Illinois wanted the state government to move. They thought Springfield would be a better capital because it was growing and closer to the middle of the state.
Building the Fourth Capitol
By early 1836, the third capitol building was not safe. Its walls were cracked, and the floor was sinking. Local groups refused to meet there.
Townspeople wrote to Governor Joseph Duncan about the problem. He told them to see if the building could be fixed. After looking closely, they decided to tear it down and build a new statehouse.
Construction of the new brick statehouse took about four months. It cost $16,000, which was a lot of money back then! The new building had a sloped roof and a small tower called a cupola. It was built with bigger offices for the state government.
Moving the Capitol to Springfield
When Lincoln and his friends returned to Vandalia in the fall of 1836, they saw the brand new "State House." But in February 1837, the lawmakers voted to move the state government again. They chose the bigger town of Springfield as the new capital.
The fifth Illinois capitol building, now called the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, was used in Springfield from 1839 to 1876. Today, the state uses the sixth and current Illinois State Capitol building.
The Vandalia State House Today
After the state government moved, the Vandalia State House was given to Fayette County. It was used as the county courthouse. In the late 1850s, porches called porticoes were added, making the building look like the Greek Revival style.
The building served as a courthouse for a long time, from 1839 until 1933. Then, it became a state property again.
In 1933, the old courthouse became the Vandalia State House State Memorial. A big project started to fix up and rebuild the inside of the building. In 1985, it became a State Historic Site. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency now takes care of the old statehouse. They help visitors learn about its short but important time as Illinois' fourth capitol building from 1836 to 1839. You can take guided tours or explore the historical rooms on your own.
Images for kids
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Exterior view in 2016
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Bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln next to the State House
