Springfield, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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| Founded Incorporated |
1819 |
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| County | Sangamon County | |||||
| Mayor | Timothy Davlin | |||||
| Area - Total - Water |
156.2 km² (60.3 mi²) 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²) 10.46% |
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| Population - City (2000) - Density - Metropolitan |
111,454 796.9/km² |
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| Time zone | Central (UTC –6) | |||||
| Coordinates WGS-84 (GPS) |
39.7833° N 89.6504° W | |||||
| Official Website www.springfield.il.us |
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Springfield is the capital of the U.S. state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County. The city was founded in 1819, became the county seat in 1823, and received its city charter in 1840. It was made the capital of Illinois in 1837, and the Legislature convened here for the first time in 1839. As of the 2000 census, its population is 111,454.
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Overview
Springfield is the site of a number of attractions centered around President Abraham Lincoln, who started his political career in Springfield. This includes a national park site including his home after marriage as well as the conserved surrounding neighborhood; the Herndon-Lincoln law office; the Old State Capitol building; the newly built Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; the train depot from whence he departed to Washington; and his burial mausoleum. The Museum of Funeral Customs, located near Lincoln's tomb, also features exhibits related to the president's funeral. North of Springfield, near the village of Petersburg, is restored hamlet of log cabins recreating New Salem, where Lincoln lived as a young man.
As the current capital of Illinois, Springfield is also home to the sixth and current Illinois State Capitol built near the grounds of the old state capitol, and home to the Illinois State Government.
In addition, the NAACP was founded by a coalition of black and white citizens in Springfield in 1909, following severe race riots in 1908. The Donner Party, a group of pioneers who resorted to cannibalism while snowbound in the Sierra Nevada, originated in Springfield. Springfield's Dana-Thomas House is among the best preserved and most complete of Frank Lloyd Wright's early "Prairie" houses. It was built in 1902-04 and has retained many of the furnishings Wright designed for it. Springfield is known for its carillon and festival. In August, it is the site of the Illinois State Fair.
Noted American poet Vachel Lindsay (1879 - 1931) was born and died in Springfield. Ragtime composer Artie Matthews (1888 - 1958) was raised in Springfield. The astronomer Seth Barnes Nicholson (1891 - 1963) was born in Springfield. Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887 - 1973), the philanthropist and founder of General Foods Corporation was also born there. Current Philadelphia 76ers player Andre Iguodala was born and raised in Springfield.
The Springfield campus of the University of Illinois is located on the southeast side of the city. It is also home to the Bunn Company, known for the manufacture of coffee-makers and supplies. It lies along two interstates (one used to be highway 36), and lies on historic Route 66. When state senator Vince Demuzio died on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich declared a part of Interstate of I-55 from Carlinville (Demuzio represented Carlinville, Illinois, which is about an hour from the capitol) to Springfield calling it the "Vince Demuzio Expressway."
Geography
Springfield is located at 39°46'60" North, 89°39'1" West (39.783250, -89.650373)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 156.2 km² (60.3 mi²). 139.9 km² (54.0 mi²) of it is land and 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.46% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 111,454 people, 48,621 households, and 27,957 families residing in the city. The population density is 796.9/km² (2,063.9/mi²). There are 53,733 housing units at an average density of 384.2/km² (995.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 81.01% White, 15.34% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 48,621 households out of which 27.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% are married couples living together, 12.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% are non-families. 36.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.24 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,388, and the median income for a family is $51,298. Males have a median income of $36,864 versus $28,867 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,324. 11.7% of the population and 8.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Local Culinary Creations
The corn dog on a stick also originated in Springfield, where it is sometimes still called a Cozy Dog. Another culinary pecularity that is not nearly as well known outside of the city is the horseshoe sandwich, a type of open-faced sandwich. For many years the popular Reisch Beer was brewed in Springfield.
External links
- City of Springfield official website
- Illinois Statehouse: an unofficial history buff's site
- Map of Springfield Illinois sexual offenders:
Springfield Illinois Information: tourist guide by a local business
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth
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