"Calhoun" is founded by trappers and fur traders- 1818
"Calhoun" becomes the county seat of Sangamon County- 1821
"Calhoun" is renamed "Springfield"- 1832
Abraham Lincoln moves to Springfield- 1837
Springfield becomes the Capital of Illinois- 1839
The Donner Party Departs from Springfield- 1846
The first Illinois State Fair is held- 1853
The Old State Capitol Building finishes construction-1853
Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, a Springfield resident, is the first casualty of the civil war- 1861
Lincoln is buried in Springfield- 1865
The Leland Hotel finishes construction- 1867
The Booth-Grunendike mansion finishes construction- 1870
Grave robbers attempt to steal Lincoln's remains- 1876
Present day State Capitol is built- 1888