Second Capital Trip

Illinois was part of our second trip.

Our second trip of capitals began in Illinois, the state where both Dad and I were born, twenty-four years apart.

The "Old" State Capitol in the capital city of Springfield, is actually the state's fifth Capitol.  In 1837, Abraham Lincoln was one of the legislators that supported building a larger statehouse.  

Lawmakers moved into their new space in 1840, it was officially finished in 1853.  After the Civil War, that building was too small, so a newer facility was authorized, opening in 1876.

We toured both on our visit, November 7, 1974 but it was probably the visit to Lincoln's tomb in a city cemetery which left a bigger impression on me.  While we were in the capitol we caught a few minutes of Governor Dan Walker addressing the House of Representatives.  

Most notable in our memory book is a pair of Illinois Lottery tickets.  They were sold two for a $1.  As far as I know, the tickets were losers.

The dome of the
Missouri Capitol has
a special feature. 

 From Springfield, we headed to Missouri where the capitol sits impressively on a hill overlooking the Missouri River.  

 Whispers are what I think about when it comes to the Show-Me-State capitol.

 It's famous Whispering Gallery had been closed for 30 years, before the Governor at the time ordered it restored.  It re-opened to the public in September 1973.

 Dad and I took the elevator to the fifth floor, walked a long hallway, then climbed a series of steps until entering the room, actually space, 105-feet above the ground floor. 

The room is the 400-foot circumference of the rotunda.  Dad stood on one side, I was opposite.  Facing the wall, one person whispers into the wall, while the other places his ear against the wall to hear every word.  Softer spoken words are heard quite clearly.  It was very cool!

Topeka is Kansas'
capital city.

On our way west, we stopped in Kansas City, Missouri to see the brand new Kansas City Royals stadium and Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs (they opened in 1973 and 72).  At Arrowhead, the receptionist allowed Dad and I into one of the suites which let us see the field up close.  The two stadiums share parking lots on the same acreage, which was and is a rare combination.

Our final stop was Topeka.  The capitol is the original, built in 1903. I remember getting there late at night in the rain.

Whether it happened on this trip, I don't know, but on each trip Dad suggested we stay at a "tourist home" instead of a motel (back then the numbers in Super 8 and Motel 6 spoke to the cost of a room).  

Not to be confused with Bed and Breakfasts, these were folks offering a room for the night at a nominal charge.  Dad also suggested for supper we could stop at a grocery store for a loaf of bread and baloney.

I was horrified and a little frightened by the idea of sleeping in a house where we didn't know the owners and sharing a bathroom.  Thankfully, Dad never followed through with what may have been a long-running joke/threat.