Work crews in Springfield sprucing up the Old State Capitol

Posted on March 10, 2021
Site superintendent Justin Blandford says the state’s latest infrastructure program is footing the $1.4 billion bill. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – One of Springfield’s key historic attractions will be closed for about 45 days because of some repairs.

The Old State Capitol, the seat of government for almost forty years once Springfield became the capital city in the 19th Century, is getting a roof repair as well as work on the dome’s columns and windows. Site superintendent Justin Blandford says the state’s latest infrastructure program is footing the $1.4 billion bill.

He says underneath the dark red dome, plaster is falling in.

The Old State Capitol, surrounded by Washington, Adams, Fifth, and Sixth Streets in downtown Springfield, was completely rebuilt in the late 1960’s. In addition to being the site of Abraham Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech, it served as the launching pad for then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2007.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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