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Central Springfield Historic District, Illinois

Historic district
In Springfield, Illinois
0.2 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Central Springfield Historic District covers 12 acres in downtown Springfield, IL, about 0.7 mile off the old road. Built around the Old State Capitol, it is the city's oldest commercial area, laid out in 1822 and built up mostly during the busy decades after 1860. Its brick blocks once held hotels, grocers and dry goods stores, and some businesses from that era still trade today.

What is Central Springfield Historic District?

Just two buildings predate the 1850s, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices and, at the center, the Old State Capitol. Most of the rest rose during Springfield's population boom of the 1860s and the growth that followed through the late 1800s. They housed hotels, drugstores, groceries, clothing shops and dry goods stores, and together they make a fine showcase of brick storefront design from the 1800s. Look for the Pierick-Sommer Building, done in Romanesque style, plus several designs by the local firm Helmle & Helmle.

History of Central Springfield Historic District

Listed on the National Register in August 1978, the district grew in 1986 when a boundary change brought in seven more buildings.

Visiting Central Springfield Historic District: tips

This is a walking stop. Park once and give yourself an hour or more to wander. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site sits inside the district, and the Old State Capitol State Historic Site is about 0.1 mile from its center, so the district ties the downtown Lincoln sites together. Look up as you walk; the upper floors often keep more original detail than the street-level shopfronts.

Practical info

On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Central Springfield Historic District

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Charlie Parker's Diner
Springfield, IL · 2.5 mi from Central Springfield Historic District
A Springfield diner dating from 1992, handy for a meal while exploring the Illinois capital on Route 66.
Diner & restaurant
Cozy Dog Drive In
Springfield, IL · 2.6 mi from Central Springfield Historic District
A Springfield drive-in known for its cornmeal-battered Cozy Dogs, Route 66 memorabilia and guest book.

On the map

Full map

Central Springfield Historic District with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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