Illinois Territory

Territory of Illinois
Organized incorporated territory of the United States
1809–1818

CapitalKaskaskia
Population 
• 1810
12,282
Government
 • TypeOrganized incorporated territory
Governor 
• 1809–1818
Ninian Edwards
Secretary 
• 1809–1816
Nathaniel Pope
• 1816–1818
Joseph Phillips
History 
• Established by Congress
1 March 1809
• Military Tract of 1812 created in western Illinois
May 6, 1812
• Granted statehood
3 December 1818
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Indiana Territory
Illinois
Michigan Territory

The Territory of Illinois was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 1, 1809,[1] until December 3, 1818, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Illinois. Its capital was the former French village of Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River (which is still a part of the State of Illinois). The northern half of the territory, modern Wisconsin and parts of modern Minnesota and Michigan became part of the Territory of Michigan in 1818.

  1. ^ Stat. 514