Susan Lawrence Springfield's most eccentric citizen retained Frank Lloyd Wright to build her home at a cost of $60,000 in 1904. While inventorying her estate, appraisers found safety deposit boxes all over the country containing feathers from her favorite parrot.
The idea of providing a home in Springfield for Illinois governors was originally Abraham Lincoln's. Although his bill appropriating $8,000 to construct such a dwelling was defeated in 1840, the idea eventually took root and in 1853, a bill was introduced appropriating $15,000 for the construction of the current mansion. The final cost exceeded that amount and the total cost eventually was $45,794.31. The first Governor to enjoy this luxurious setting was Joel Aldrich Matteston.
A large civic project was the construction of a lake, completed in 1930, to provide water and electric power.