Pasfield House

Pasfield House. . In 1896 George Pasfield, Jr. (1870-1930) built this historic Georgian-Revival Mansion, the Pasfield House, overlooking the original family home that was built in a wooded estate his grandfather began acquiring in 1835. , Pasfield's father and grandfather were early settlers of Springfield (1831) and personal friends of Abraham Lincoln. The elder George Pasfield (1790-1867), was one of the first merchants on the public square and an original bond signer to build the Springfield Old State Capitol. His son, Dr. George Pasfield (1831-1916), was recognized by the Illinois State Journal as the wealthiest man in central Illinois after expanding the notable Pasfield commercial and agricultural properties, establishing local banks and co-founding both the internationally known Illinois Watch Company and Springfield Iron Works., George Pasfield, Jr. followed into banking and manages his family's extensive holdings. Pasfield became President of the Springfield Hotel Corporation rebuilding an elegant Leland Hotel after a disastrous 1908 fire. In tribute to the Pasfield Family connection to Lincoln, he served on the Abraham Lincoln Centennial Association Board and his father was honored at its dinner. , The Pasfield Family contributed greatly to keeping Springfield as the Illinois State Capital. George Pasfield, Jr. served as President of the Capitol Grounds Purchase Association, which enlarged as the State House site to erect the Centennial Memorial Building commemoration the statehood of Illinois. , George Pasfield, Jr. is best remembered as stepping in as President of the Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Springfield, to address a financial scandal blamed on machine politics, eventually undertaking the parks largest expansion. Pasfield Park Golf Course is named in his honor. , The City of Springfield, in 2004, designation the once 40 acre homestead as The Pasfield House Historic Area.