Illinois

Statewide: The lost capital of Kaskaskia

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published April 10, 2026 at 6:37 AM CDT

Illinois' first statehouse — Illinois' long gone first statehouse.

Kaskaskia was the capital of the Illinois Territory and the first state capital when Illinois entered the union in 1818. It was a political and economic hub. But 200 years later, it's barely hanging on. Only a handful of residents remain and evidence of its early success isn't visible.

Co-authors of "Kaskaskia: The Lost Capital of Illinois" explain what happened.

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