Springfield became the Illinois state capital in 1837 with the help of a young lawyer and politician named Abraham Lincoln. He lived in the city until he left to become the 16th President of the United States, in 1861. From that moment on, the city’s history and future have been inexorably tied to this most famous and beloved American citizen.
Springfield is the center piece of Illinois political activity. The state capitol building contains a flurry of legislative activity each fall and spring as Illinois is one of the largest and most influential states in the U.S. Several internationally known political and historical icons have risen to prominence through Springfield including presidents Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and most recently, presidential candidate Barack Obama.
A crossroad of America, Springfield has earned its place in history for more than just politics. Springfield sits in the heart of Illinois' U.S. Route 66 and boasts some of America's favorite Route 66 icons. The familiar Corn Dog on a stick was invented at the Cozy Drive in 1946, and the first drive through window in the country is still in operation at the famous Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop. One of the few remaining Route 66 drive in theaters is still in operation from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Health conscious beware, only in Springfield will you find the “horseshoe sandwich,” created in 1928 at the old Leland Hotel. Named for the shape of the ham once used to top this open-faced sandwich, it features a secret cheddar cheese sauce lavishly poured over a meat of your choice (hamburger and turkey are popular) and topped with a generous pile of french fries. The dish has been featured on many national television shows, most recently "Roker's On the Road" with Al Roker, and the popular show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" on Food Network.
Springfield has a vibrant art scene with multiple performing arts organizations and has an active music scene as well. Several films have either been created or had segments filmed in Springfield including Legally Blond 2, National Treasure 2, and the upcoming The Informant starring Matt Damon. Recently Springfield made headlines after being narrowly edged out by Springfield, Vermont as the tongue-in-cheek official home of The Simpsons.
