Old State Capitol Building | Illinois Photo Spot

The Old State Capital Building was the state house from 1840 to 1876 and has since been restored and is open to the public for tours. The Old State Capitol is perhaps most famous as the site where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech in 1858. The building was too small for the growing Illinois government by the 1870s, so the capitol was moved to a newer, larger building. The Old State Capitol Building then served as a courthouse for many years before being completely dismantled and rebuilt as part of a restoration effort from 1966 to 1969. In modern times it has been the ceremonial site of several key events in US history, including the candidacy announcement of Barack Obama in 2007. The interiors are simply stunning, and the stained glass rotunda is a must-visit for photographers. (Springfield, Illinois, USA)