Vandalia in Fayette County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Internal Improvements
1837
In Lincoln’s first campaign speech on March 9, 1832, he expressed support for internal improvements.
“Time and experience have verified to a demonstration, the public utility of internal improvements. That the poorest and most thinly populated countries would be greatly benefited by the opening of good roads, and in the clearing of navigable streams within their limits, is what no person will deny.”
Consistent with their Whig political philosophy, Lincoln and the other members of the “Long Nine” had two major goals during the Tenth General Assembly of the Illinois Legislature, which convened at Vandalia on December 5, 1836. Those goals were the passage of a bill providing for a system of internal improvements and removing the state capital to Springfield. Some historians would say that the Long Nine provided support for provisions in the Internal Improvements Act in exchange for support for moving the state capital to Springfield. Whether or not this was the case, the mood of the state was in support of internal improvements.
The bill that eventually passed the legislature provided for the construction of roads, canals, or railroads in almost every county in the state. The cost of this plan was $10,250,000, which was financed through the issuance of bonds by the state of Illinois. The net result of the whole project was a mammoth debt for the state. Not until 1882 were the bonds finally paid, forty-five years after the passage of the measure and seventeen years after Lincoln’s death.
The interest in internal improvements resulted in part from the success of the Erie Canal which was completed on October 26, 1825 and connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie. The Erie Canal became the model for internal improvements. It was based on the economic principle of connecting large commercial centers to one another. Unfortunately, that pattern could not be duplicated in the sparsely settled Illinois of the 1830’s.
During the early 1800’s Illinois was largely undeveloped. There was great difficulty in bringing agricultural products to markets in the cities. Few roads, canals, or railroads existed. Illinois farmers and merchants built flat boats, loaded them with salted pork and other produce, and took them to New Orleans with the spring floods. They would return over land or by steamboat with cloth and other manufactured items which they would sell when they returned. Lincoln himself navigated a flatboat to New Orleans on two such trips.
Erected 2008 by Looking For Lincoln Heritage Coalition.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.
Location. 38° 57.684′ N, 89° 5.607′ W. Marker is in Vandalia, Illinois, in Fayette County. Marker is on Kennedy Boulevard (3rd Street) (U.S. 40/51) near Gallatin Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the east lawn of the Old State Capitol. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vandalia IL 62471, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Ernst Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln As A Polished Politician (within shouting distance of this marker); House of Divine Worship (within shouting distance of this marker); Third State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert K. McLaughlin Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln and the "Long Nine" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Blackwell's White House (about 300 feet away); Ebenezer Capps' Store (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vandalia.
Also see . . .
1. Looking For Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area website entry (Submitted on February 19, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Springfield, the Law, and the Whig Party, 1837-1843. Northwestern Illinois University Digital Library entry (Submitted on May 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on May 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.