"Calhoun" is founded by trappers and fur traders- 1818

"Calhoun" becomes the county seat of Sangamon County- 1821

"Calhoun" is renamed "Springfield"- 1832

Abraham Lincoln moves to Springfield- 1837

Springfield becomes the Capital of Illinois- 1839

The Donner Party Departs from Springfield- 1846

The first Illinois State Fair is  held- 1853

The Old State Capitol Building finishes construction-1853

Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, a Springfield resident, is the first casualty of the civil war- 1861

Lincoln is buried in Springfield- 1865

The Leland Hotel finishes construction- 1867

The Booth-Grunendike mansion finishes construction- 1870

Grave robbers attempt to steal Lincoln's remains- 1876

Present day State Capitol is built- 1888