The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois

Eric and I got to Springfield, Illinois  about 2 pm, unhitched the Jeep and headed to the Illinois State Capitol.  Oh, I thought, another state capitol that reminds me of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.  This is getting repetitive.  Actually, the style of architecture of this State House is French Renaissance.

The current building is the sixth capitol of the state since Illinois was admitted to statehood on August 26, 1818.

We joined an 8th grade school group that had a tight time schedule.  I felt the tour was rushed.  There was no information about the architecture, art, symbols, history of the building.  Eric remembers our tour guide starting every sentence with, " Hey..."

 Illinois State Capitol with Statue of Abraham Lincoln

Just inside these doors are

the metal detectors.

Illinois Welcoming
the World Statue
in the Rotunda

The Rotunda

Illinois Senate Chamber

Eric admires the

Statue of Lincoln in

The Rotunda

The General Assembly

Chamber

Skylight in the

General Assembly

Chamber 

 

Plaster work and

beautiful artwork

on the ceiling

The Former Supreme Court

Chamber is now used as a

Legislative Hearing Room.

Ceiling in The Former

Supreme Court Chamber

Six pointed stars in

lighting fixtures

Wood and metal

stair rails

 

Governor's Reception

Area

Governor's Office

 

 

An example of the different

types of marble in the Capitol

Domes and pillars.... Like other state capitols we've visited.  So far, each capitol is 

different and very beautiful.  I look forward to visiting others during our travels.

The Freightliner Visit For A Hydraulic Leak in Springfield, Illinois

Why are Eric & I at a
Freightliner in
Springfield, Illinois?







We just started our drive, to the Southwest and there's a problem so soon???!!!  Well....

When Eric & I were preparing to

leave McConchie's Heritage

 Campground in Galway, NY, we

found a Hydraulic Fluid Leak

behind our Side-Mounted Radiator.

Eric checked our Hydraulic
Fluid Reservoir & found
that it was low.

He added Hydraulic Fluid
we got this checked at
Cummins in Albany, NY.

The Tech at Cummins in Albany

found a plastic bag wrapped

around the Fan Shaft behind the

 Radiator... & no leaking fluid.

Cummins doesn't do this specific type of work, so Eric made an appointment at Freightliner in Springfield, Illinois to follow up on the leak that wasn't leaking.

I know this sounds strange, but it's a true story.  We bought two gallons of Hydraulic Fluid to add, if necessary.  Eric checked the Hydraulic Fluid each day and it was fine.

Still, this leak that doesn't leak must be followed up on.  Eric and I don't want to be broken down on the side of the road, in need of a Monster Tow Truck.

Eric found this Freightliner Oasis Service Center in Springfield.  The staff here are trained to work on RV Chassis.

Tim backed our motorhome
into a work bay to examine
the situation.

Here are the remains of two plastic

bags & Fishing Line that was

found wrapped around the

Fan Shaft.

The object on the lower right is the tip of a pair of Needle Nose Pliers.   

After the bags and the Fishing Line was removed, the Seal in the Hydraulic Pump that powers the Radiator Fan started to leak.  Freightliner doesn't take Hydraulic Pumps apart and replace individual Seals.  They replace complete Pumps, with intact Seals.  

Fortunately, there was a Hydraulic Pump, with intact Seal, available in Memphis, Tennesee.  We are happy to pay $50.00 to have it overnighted to Springfield for installation.

The Hydraulic Pump that powers the Radiator Fan was replaced five years ago in Medford, Oregon. 

Here it is......

The Hydraulic Pump that powers

the Radiator Fan.

And, it has an intact Seal.

I'm taking pictures of the

 Pump sitting upside down.

Who knew?

Tim, our Tech knew.

Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois

The Lincoln Family worshipped

at First Presbyterian Church.

It's not open for visitors on

weekdays.

This photo of the Lincoln Pew

is from the Springfield Chapter

NSDAR Website.

The Old State Capitol is where 

Abraham Lincoln argued cases

before the Illinois Supreme Court.

He used the Governor's Reception Room to run his 1860 Presidential Campaign.

President Elect Lincoln left the

Great Western Railroad Depot

on February 11, 1861, for

 Washington, DC.

John Wilkes Booth fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln during a performance Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC on April 14, 1865.

After a week of mourning in the nation's Capitol,  the body of the assassinated President and his son Willie, who had died in Washington, DC in 1862 were loaded on a train for the 1,654 mile journey  through seven states, 180 cities, and numerous small towns.  The Funeral Train arrived in Springfield on May 4, 1865.





President Lincoln & son, Willie,
were buried in the family plot in 
Oakridge Cemetery.







Preparations begin for the Lincoln Tomb.  

It is built in Oakridge Cemetery,

according to Mary Lincoln's

wishes.

The tomb is dedicated on

October 15, 1871,

On November 7, 1876, an attempt is made to steal President Lincoln's body.  

Lincoln, his wife Mary, sons Edward, Willie, and Tad are entombed at Oakridge Cemetery.

Abraham Lincoln looms large in Springfield, Illinois today.

Gate One at the Illinois

State Fairgrounds hosts 

the Abraham Lincoln

Rail Splitter Statue.

The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois

What to do in Springfield, IL on a Saturday?  Eric and I were delighted to see that the Old State Capitol is open on Saturdays.  It's in the same neighborhood as the current State Capitol.

The building and grounds looked deserted at 9:15 am.  Saturday mornings are probably slow in this section of the city.  Eric pushed open the door and we were greeted by Mike Burke, Assistant Manager of Living History Programs.  Mike's tour was very detailed and there was plenty of time to ask questions.   A couple from Nottingham, England joined us.

After the current State Capitol was finished in 1876, this building was used as the Sangamon County Courthouse until 1966.  Starting in 1966 workers completely dismantled the building, stone by stone, and rebuilt it. The public areas of the Old State Capitol were reconstructed to resemble the appearance of the building in the mid1800s.  Abraham Lincoln used the building's libraries and argued before the Illinois Supreme Court.






The Fifth Illionis
State Capitol

The exterior is constructed

with dolomitic limestone.

Main Staircase

The Rotunda

Mike standing beneath
the portrait of the
Marquis de LaFayette
in the Senate Chamber.

A restored flag carried

 by an Illinois regiment

  in the Civil War.

Portrait of George Washington

in the Assembly Chamber

Governor's Reception  Room

Abraham Lincoln ran his

Presidential Campaign here.

Governor's Office

Illinois Supreme Court

originally had four judges.

While Mike answered questions Eric and I discovered that the Lincoln Presidential Museum not to be missed while visiting Springfield.  It's just a few blocks away from the Old State Capitol.  After coffee and a scone Eric and I set off to learn more about our sixteenth president. 

Watching Spring Arrive During Our Drive to Pontiac, Illinois

Eric & I return to Interstate 55

 North to start today's drive.

Interstate 70 & US Route 40

follow the same route in

this section of Illinois.

Traffic is very light at 9:30 am.

We drive past farms...

... & enter the Abraham Lincoln
National Heritage Area.

A decrepit barn

This Antique Mall in Livingston
has a great outdoor display:

A Giraffe, Flying Saucer,
Rhinocerous & Pink Elephant

A bridge in a bag...

Sometimes repair work

occurs undercover.

We will pass by Springfield
today & stop for the night
southwest of Chicago.

Lake Springfield

Eric & I talk about this sign.

He designed signs for Interstates
in New York & appreciates the
details that will assist drivers at
the upcoming interchange.

Visit Mr. Lincoln's Hometown

Springfield has done a great job of preserving and maintaining Abraham Lincoln's home, Law Office, and First Presbyterian Church, where the Lincoln Family worshipped.  

Abraham Lincoln practiced law in Springfield and presented cases before the Illinois Supreme Court and borrowed books from the State Library in the old Illinois Statehouse.  His "House Divided Speech" was given in the Hall of Representatives on June 16, 1858.  Residents paid their last respects to their fallen President in the same room on May 3, 1865, before his funeral and internment.  He and the family are buried in Oakridge Cemetery.

This is the route to the
Rest Area off I 55.

It's time to swap drivers.

Wind Turbines watch
over farm fields.

Two houses under construction

in a subdivision

Stop The Spread Of
Covid-19







Illinois is working hard to bring down its infection rate.  Residents are urged to stay home and stay healthy.

Eric & I leave I 55 in

Pontiac.

Gas & Diesel are more
expensive in than in
Oklahoma.

Eric will not pick up any

unwanted pathogens

while fueling the RV.

He will clean his hands
with Hand Sanitizer
before returning to
the driver's seat.

We have permission to
 spend the night at the
  Walmart in Pontiac.

Eric and I are parked near the edge of the parking lot, next to a grassy area.