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Quiz about In and Around Springfield Illinois
Quiz about In and Around Springfield Illinois

In and Around Springfield, Illinois Quiz


This is a quiz about my hometown, Springfield, Illinois. How much do you know about it?

A multiple-choice quiz by daver852. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
daver852
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
377,240
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
261
Last 3 plays: YesImPhoenix (10/10), Guest 73 (10/10), Guest 24 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Springfield is the capital of Illinois. But it is not the first city to serve in that capacity. How many other cities have served as the capital of Illinois? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In addition to being the capital of Illinois, Springfield is the county seat of which county? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. How would one describe the topography of Springfield and the surrounding area? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Although Springfield is not a large city by most standards, its population has been growing steadily, and passed the 100,000 mark in 1990. All those people use a lot of water. From where does the city of Springfield obtain its water supply? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Like many Midwestern cities, Springfield was built around a square; the old square is now called Old State Capitol Plaza. On the south side of the square, near 6th and Adams Street, are the original law offices of which famous American? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Lincoln's Tomb is probably Springfield's best known tourist attraction. What is the name of the cemetery where it located? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Just west of downtown Springfield is the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop. Why is this unassuming restaurant famous? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Springfield is home to the Dana-Thomas House, one of the best preserved examples of the early work of which famous architect, known for his "Prairie Style"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Springfield is home to many museums. One of these, located at 629 South 7th Street, is called the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum. It honors veterans of which conflict? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. In Springfield's historic Washington Park, which is only about a block from where I live, is a famous structure that attracts visitors from all over the world. It can be a bit noisy at times. What is it? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 22 2024 : YesImPhoenix: 10/10
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 73: 10/10
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Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Springfield is the capital of Illinois. But it is not the first city to serve in that capacity. How many other cities have served as the capital of Illinois?

Answer: 2

Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818. The first capital was Kaskaskia, a small town in Randolph County in the southern part of the state. The capital was moved to Vandalia in 1819, and in 1837 was moved yet again, to Springfield, which has remained the capital ever since.
2. In addition to being the capital of Illinois, Springfield is the county seat of which county?

Answer: Sangamon

Sangamon County was named for the Sangamon River, the main river which flows through it. The waters of the Sangamon River are very muddy. It should not be surprising that Springfield is the county seat; of the 50 state capitals, Lansing, Michigan is the only one that is not also a county seat.
3. How would one describe the topography of Springfield and the surrounding area?

Answer: Mostly flat

Springfield was built on the Illinois prairie and is mostly flat; there are a few very small hills. Springfield lies in what is called the Lower Illinois River Basin. The land is very flat because it was leveled by glaciers during the last several ice ages.

The glaciers also deposited a deep layer of very rich soil, which makes the farmland around Springfield some of the most fertile and valuable in the country.
4. Although Springfield is not a large city by most standards, its population has been growing steadily, and passed the 100,000 mark in 1990. All those people use a lot of water. From where does the city of Springfield obtain its water supply?

Answer: Lake Springfield

Lake Springfield is a man-made reservoir that covers 4,260 acres (17.2 square kilometers). It was created by damming Sugar Creek, a tributary of the Sangamon River. Work began in 1931 and was completed in 1935. In addition to supplying water to Springfield and many other smaller cities, Lake Springfield provides many recreational activities.

It is a popular boating venue, and its waters contain over 20 varieties of game fish, including bass, catfish, trout, crappie, and bluegill.
5. Like many Midwestern cities, Springfield was built around a square; the old square is now called Old State Capitol Plaza. On the south side of the square, near 6th and Adams Street, are the original law offices of which famous American?

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln moved into the old brick building in 1843, when he shared offices with his partner, Stephen T. Logan. When Logan left the following year, Lincoln formed a partnership with William H. Herndon. The two practiced law in the building until 1852, when they moved to another building on the west side of the square; that building has long since been torn down, but the original office is still standing and has been restored to its former glory. Since 1985, the building has been owned and maintained by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
6. Lincoln's Tomb is probably Springfield's best known tourist attraction. What is the name of the cemetery where it located?

Answer: Oak Ridge Cemetery

The Springfield city fathers wanted Lincoln to be buried in downtown Springfield, on a site near where the present Capitol Building stands. But Mary Lincoln insisted he be buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, which was located in a rural setting a few miles north of the central business district.

The tomb was not completed until 1874. Two years later, a gang of criminals attempted to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom. Major reconstruction projects were undertaken in 1900-01 and 1930-31. In addition to President Lincoln, the tomb contains the remains of his wife and three of their sons.

Lincoln is not the only famous person buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Lincoln's law partner, William H. Herndon, is buried here, as is the poet Vachel Lindsay, labor leader John L. Lewis, several Civil War generals, Illinois governors, and other notable figures from Illinois history.
7. Just west of downtown Springfield is the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop. Why is this unassuming restaurant famous?

Answer: World's first "drive-thru" restaurant

The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop opened in 1921 and has been in continuous operation ever since. It was the first restaurant in the world to offer "drive-thru" service for motorists. Located at 118 N Pasfield Street, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The Maid-Rite is not Springfield's only claim to culinary fame. The horseshoe sandwich, consisting of a thick slice of toast, covered with hamburger, french fries, and a thick cheese sauce, was invented in Springfield. And The Cozy Dog Drive In, on South 6th Street, claims to be the home of the original corn dog, although this is disputed by several other restaurants.
8. Springfield is home to the Dana-Thomas House, one of the best preserved examples of the early work of which famous architect, known for his "Prairie Style"?

Answer: Frank Lloyd Wright

Susan Lawrence Dana (1862-1946) was the only child of Mary and Rheuna Lawrence; her father had become wealthy selling supplies to the army during the Civil War. After her husband died in an accident in 1900, she commissioned Wright to remodel the Victorian mansion she had inherited from her parents. Work began in 1902, and the old house was completely transformed; only one room of the original dwelling was left untouched. The project cost $60,000, an immense sum at the time. The house is especially noted for its art glass windows. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The house was purchased in 1944 by Charles C. Thomas. He and his wife were devoted to maintaining the mansion and its original furnishings. Following Mrs. Thomas' death, the house was purchased for $1 million in 1981 by the State of Illinois, and is now managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. It is open to the public for tours six days a week.
9. Springfield is home to many museums. One of these, located at 629 South 7th Street, is called the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum. It honors veterans of which conflict?

Answer: Civil War

The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum has a fascinating collection of Civil War artifacts. One of the most famous is the actual flag on which John Wilkes Booth snagged his spur while jumping from the Presidential Box at Ford's Theatre after killing Abraham Lincoln. The Grand Army of the Republic was the name of the Union Army veterans' organization following the war. The museum is open to the public, and admission is free!

Other museums of interest to history buffs that are located in Springfield include the Illinois State Military Museum, the Air Combat Museum, and the Korean War National Museum.
10. In Springfield's historic Washington Park, which is only about a block from where I live, is a famous structure that attracts visitors from all over the world. It can be a bit noisy at times. What is it?

Answer: A carillon

A carillon is a bell tower. The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon is one of the largest in the world. It stands 132 feet high, and houses 67 bells that weigh a total of 82,753 pounds. Each June an International Carillon Festival is held which attracts people from all over the world. The building is also used for other functions throughout the year. For a nominal fee, visitors can tour the carillon and take an elevator to one of three observation decks. Believe me, the bells are beautiful when they are rung, but they are also very loud!

If you decide to visit the carillon, you might also want to check out some of the other attractions that Washington Park offers which include a botanical garden, a duck pond, rose garden, and walking and biking trails.
Source: Author daver852

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