ALTON - Anyone who drives by the Circle at College and Central in Alton is in for a surprise this holiday season - there is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree that stands tall in the circle. A tree lighting was held after the Fourth Ward in Alton monthly meeting this past Thursday and since Brown said, she has had a strong positive reaction from residents. For those who don't know the significance of the State House Circle area in Alton, here is the explanation: A bill was introduced in 1833 for a statewide vote to determine where the new Illinois capitol would be. It was at the time located in Vandalia. Alton was one of the locations among selections in the 1833 vote with Springfield, Jacksonville, Peoria, and Vandalia. Alton was the victor, however, the legislature determined the margin of votes was too small to be conclusive. If the vote had been upheld, the State House Circle in Alton would have been the location of the Illinois state capitol. On February 25, 1837, the Illinois
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