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Vinegar Hill in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

First Cabin in Springfield

 
 
First Cabin in Springfield Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 27, 2020
1. First Cabin in Springfield Marker
Inscription. John Kelley erected the first cabin in Springfield on this site in March, 1819.

The first county commission, April 2, 1821 and the first court, April 3, 1821 were held here.
 
Erected 1922 by Daughters of the American Revolution (Springfield Chapter).
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1819.
 
Location. 39° 48.184′ N, 89° 39.363′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Vinegar Hill. It is on West Jefferson Street (Illinois Route 97) east of South College Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in front of the Illinois Department of Revenue building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 W Jefferson St, Springfield IL 62702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Sangamon County Courthouse (about 800 feet away); Abraham Lincoln's Funeral Train (approx. Ό mile away); Lincoln's Final Journey (approx. Ό mile away); Hutchinson Cemetery & Springfield High School
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(approx. Ό mile away); Spanish American War Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Second and Monroe Streets (approx. Ό mile away); Globe Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
 
More about this marker. Marker was originally placed at the corner of 2nd and Jefferson Streets (see article below).
 
Also see . . .  The Kelley (Kelly) family (Sangamonhistory.org). The Kelley family, immigrating from Europe, were believed to be the first family to settle in present-day Springfield, but some also have that claim. Six other families would join them, as it would be called the Kelley Settlement for a short time. (Submitted on December 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.) 
 
First Cabin in Springfield Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 27, 2020
2. First Cabin in Springfield Marker
Marker is in front of the Willard Ice Building, where the Illinois Department of Revenue is located.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 869 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
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Jul. 1, 2026