History of Springfield, Illinois, its attractions as a home and advantages for business, manufacturing, etc. Pub. under the auspices of the Springfield board of trade, by J. C. Power.

ITS ADVANTAGES FVoR MANUFAOTURING. 13
to the cost of the land, but the buildings Alexander Hamilton-represented Sangaonly. mo, a beautiful site for a town, on the
This latter building will be used for banks of the Sangamon river, about seven
the business of the county, until the comrn- miles west, bearing a little north from
pletion of the New State House, and the Springfield. Mr. Hamilton was elected,
old one is vacated by the State, after but Pugh went to Vandalia as a lobby
which that will be the Court House of member and succeeded in having commisSangamon county. sioners appointed who were favorable to
FIRST SURVEY OF PUBLIC LANDS. Springfield.
The first survey of public lands in San- After fixing the location, the commisgalmon county, took place in the year sioners laid out the land that had been
1821. Rev. John M. Peck, in his Pioneer donated into lots, making the streets cor
History of Illinois, says that Springfield respond with those of Calhoun. The
was laid out in February, 1822, referring name of Calhoun soon ceased to be used,
no doubt to Calhoun, which was the name except in the conveyance of lots.
first given to the first plat of what FIRST LEGISLATION FOR SPRINGFIELD.
is now a part of Springfield. It is in the
The first legislation on the part of the
northwestern part of the city. The first
State, with reference to Springfield was
sale of public lands in Sangamon county, approved February 9, 1827. By this act
took place Nov. 7, 1823. At that sale the the co rt of countBycommissioners were
the court of county commissioners were
lands were purchased, upon which Cal- required to appoint street commissioners
houn had been laid out. Four different
houn had been laid out. Four different for the town, and levy a tax for improvparties entered each a quarter, of as many ing the same.
sections, cornering together. The town
plat of Calhoun was recorded December An act of the General Assembly, ap5, 1823. proved February 12, 1831, was a general
An act of the legislature, approved law for the incorporation of towns. April
December 23, 1824, provided for fixing 2, 1832, Springfield was incorporated
under that law. October 18, 1832, the
the boundary of the county, and named
county court ordered a re-survey of the
commissioners who should permanently county court ordered a re-survey of the
locate the county seat. A proviso in the town, in order to adjust the discrepancies
law forbid its being located unless at least between the plats of Calhoun and Springfield. The survey was made and acthirty-five acres of land was donated on
knowledged June 18,!'1833, and recorded
the spot. The commissioners assembled1833, and recorded
March 18, 1825, and confirmed the former Novembe 9 1836
location. Forty-two acres were at once By the act of the General Assembly of
donated by Elijah Iles and Pascal Enos. Illinois, approved February 3, 1840, a
Between the time of the temporary and city charter was granted to Springfield.
permanent location of the county seat, at This law provided for an election to be
an election for members of the legislature, held on the first Monday in April, to adopt
two opposing candidates went before the or reject the proposed charter. The elecpeople, on the merits of two localities for tion was held on the 6th day of the
the permanent county seat. I. H. Pugh month and the charter was adopted.
was the candidate for Springfield, and April 20, 1840, the first election was held
William S. Hamilton-a son of the great for city officers.
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