The New Student's Reference Work/Springfield, Ills.

Spring′field, Ills., the capital, is in Sangamon County, a short distance southwest of the center of the state; and, according to the latest census, had a population of 51,678. The first settlement was in 1818, and in 1821 the town was made the county-seat. In 1837 the capital was removed to this place, and a state-house erected. The present capital, begun in 1868, first occupied in an unfinished condition in 1876 and completed in 1885, cost $5,000,000. The surrounding country is a rich agricultural region, the chief products being corn, oats, wheat, hay, fruits and vegetables. Cattle, hogs and horses are raised extensively. Bituminous coal is mined in large quantities around the city, and is one of the leading products. During the year ending July 1, 1900, 2,519,511 tons of coal were mined in the county, and four fifths of this amount shipped by rail to other parts of the country. The principal articles manufactured here are iron, steel, steam-engines, boilers, agricultural implements, brick, watches and woolen goods. It is a railroad center, main lines of the Wabash; Alton; Illinois Central; Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern; and other roads passing through it, besides a number of interurban electric lines.

The city has a very efficient public-school system. There are 15 buildings, one for high-school purposes with a capacity for 800 pupils, and 14 other buildings for primary and grammar schools. The school enrollment has reached 7,500. Besides, there are colleges and many private schools. Springfield is of historical interest on account of having been the home of Abraham Lincoln. The house in which he resided, when elected president, still stands; and in beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery just outside the city, is a fine monument erected to his memory, where his remains are deposited. The state-fair grounds and buildings, the most extensive in the country, the encampment-grounds and the armory are here.