Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but not until 1836. That is when Springfield became the first battleground between Lincoln and Douglas. Yup. Lincoln was in the state legislature, as was Douglas, and he wanted the state capital moved, as did Douglas. Lincoln wanted Springfield. Douglas wanted Jacksonville. Lincoln won.

Both men met frequently in Springfield. Both young politicians and lawyers, they kept the same company. They often argued politics, Lincoln from the Whig perspective and Douglas from the Democrat perspective. By the time the famous debates came, Douglas was far more successful in politics than Lincoln. Yup.

On another important note, Springfield is also the home to the corn dog on a stick. HMM YUMMM. I can eat about fifty of those things, just can’t hold them all at once. See ya.