In 1837 the young Lincoln was among the leaders of the movement to bring the Illinois state capitol to Springfield. In the state's early days the capitol had resided at Vandalia. But as central and northern Illinois grew more populous, this location proved too southerly. Several communities, including Peoria, competed for the honor of hosting the state government. But the Sangamon County delegation, known as the "Long Nine" for their considerable height, succeeded in bringing the state house to Springfield. The State of Illinois built the structure pictured above to house the legislature in Springfield. It still stands today, although a new state house replaced it in the late nineteenth century.