<P> Springfield 's original name was Calhoun , after Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina . The land that Springfield now occupies was originally settled by trappers and traders who came to the Sangamon River in 1818 . The settlement 's first cabin was built in 1820 , by John Kelly . It was located at what is now the northwest corner of Second Street and Jefferson Street . In 1821 , Calhoun became the county seat of Sangamon County due to fertile soil and trading opportunities . Settlers from Kentucky , Virginia , and as far as North Carolina came to the city . By 1832 , Senator Calhoun had fallen out of the favor with the public and the town renamed itself Springfield after Springfield , Massachusetts . At that time , Springfield , Massachusetts was comparable to modern - day Silicon Valley -- known for industrial innovation , concentrated prosperity , and the celebrated Springfield Armory . Most importantly , it was a city that had built itself up from frontier outpost to national power through ingenuity -- an example that the newly named Springfield , Illinois , sought to emulate . Kaskaskia was the first capital of the Illinois Territory from its organization in 1809 , continuing through statehood in 1818 , and through the first year as a state in 1819 . Vandalia was the second state capital of Illinois from 1819 to 1839 . Springfield became the third and current capital of Illinois in 1839 . The designation was largely due to the efforts of Abraham Lincoln and his associates ; nicknamed the `` Long Nine '' for their combined height of 54 feet ( 16 m ) . </P>
<P> Springfield 's original name was Calhoun , after Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina . The land that Springfield now occupies was originally settled by trappers and traders who came to the Sangamon River in 1818 . The settlement 's first cabin was built in 1820 , by John Kelly . It was located at what is now the northwest corner of Second Street and Jefferson Street . In 1821 , Calhoun became the county seat of Sangamon County due to fertile soil and trading opportunities . Settlers from Kentucky , Virginia , and as far as North Carolina came to the city . By 1832 , Senator Calhoun had fallen out of the favor with the public and the town renamed itself Springfield after Springfield , Massachusetts . At that time , Springfield , Massachusetts was comparable to modern - day Silicon Valley -- known for industrial innovation , concentrated prosperity , and the celebrated Springfield Armory . Most importantly , it was a city that had built itself up from frontier outpost to national power through ingenuity -- an example that the newly named Springfield , Illinois , sought to emulate . Kaskaskia was the first capital of the Illinois Territory from its organization in 1809 , continuing through statehood in 1818 , and through the first year as a state in 1819 . Vandalia was the second state capital of Illinois from 1819 to 1839 . Springfield became the third and current capital of Illinois in 1839 . The designation was largely due to the efforts of Abraham Lincoln and his associates ; nicknamed the `` Long Nine '' for their combined height of 54 feet ( 16 m ) . </P>
when did springfield become the capital of illinois
when did springfield become the capital of illinois
1839
1839