Prairie Archives

A must-visit for used bookstore enthusiasts! We had a bit of spare time—and some gift money burning a hole in our pockets—so we stopped in, and what a gem of a shop this turned out to be. We found a few great bargains right away in the clearance section outside, and I didn’t even make it past the first two bookshelves inside before I’d already blown my birthday budget (and then some). The selection is fantastic—eclectic, well-stocked, and full of hidden treasures. While the owner wasn’t particularly warm (a classic grumpy bookstore vibe with barely a greeting or thank-you), the inventory more than made up for it. Well worth the stop, and we’d absolutely shop here again!

HUGE selection of books. Lots of vintage books in good condition. Very fair prices. Lots of new titles too, but many of the books are second hand (in good condition). When I say HUGE I mean rooms and rooms full of books. The gentleman working seemed quite knowledgeable of the inventory as well. He may have been the owner. I will definitely go back when I have more time to browse. If you like reading it's definitely worth checking out

An absolute gem of a used bookshop! It's one of the very best I've been to in all my (many) years of haunting used, rare & antiquarian bookstores! 5 Stars & 2 thumbs up!!

Perfectly incredible shop! If we had the time, we would have spent all day there! And the shop dog, Lola is such a good girl and follows you around so patiently. Their prices are amazing and their selection even better

A trip to Springfield would not be complete without a visit to this vintage bookstore, with so many treasures! Rob was friendly and helpful. Great prices too.

A surprisingly large hidden gem in the heart of the city that boasts a quaint, homely atmosphere and an overwhelmingly ample collection of books! There is an astounding amount of literature, magazines, comics, vinyls, antiques, and an all-embracing feeling of love here. You can feel the history that’s held in the store while walking around, and you can tell it’s run with dedication and care. Definitely somewhere to check out, it was a wonderful experience and Lola was a darling.

A place to check out old books, but not worth to buy anything here. For the price labeled ones you can get the same thing for cheaper on eBay, the not labeled ones you can bargain. But the owner Rob is not cool to bargain at all, wasted ten minutes bargained for nothing. Maybe he was not in a good mood that made him very stubborn.

We came her with our daughters and spent an hour browsing the kid’s room. So many beautiful vintage books, plus more recent ones. The aisles are narrow with things piled in them. My daughter uses a powerchair and was able to make it to the kids room with our help, but I would recommend clearing the aisles a little more!

Nice used bookstore, good for browsing, getting something specific (knowledgeable staff), or shopping for collectible editions. Not surprisingly, one of the best collections of Illinois and Lincoln history. Perfect location if you're visiting and staying in a downtown hotel. Next to a couple of good restaurants, if you're the sort who likes a book and a glass of wine. Odd but worthwhile stack of deep discounts on carts at entrance.

This place is a TREASURE TROVE for history lovers, book lovers, antique lovers, vintage lovers, and everyone in-between. It's quite huge and to properly scour it all, you might need a couple of hours. I was there for about an hour and was so impressed by all the vintage copies of classics-- from American to British to Russian to Chinese classic literature, this place has a bit of everything. It's organized well and neatly by author last name, which eased the search process. The prices are pretty good and reasonable too. This is definitely a spot I'd like to return to if I'm ever back in Springfield.

Amazing used bookstore! Wish I had more time to browse the stacks. I was able to find an interesting book on Lincoln which I read on the plane ride home. Also picked up Dan Millman's book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Total bonus!!

Really great people run this place. I will be back. The amount of books are larger than I could picture. Spend some time here.

The cutest bookstore. It has the best vibe, but the store is unorganized. The store varies in price between $2-500. Most books are $6-10. The service was incredible, I haven't met a more knowledgeable, approachable, and kind staff.

THE BEST used book store with THE BEST essence of Springfield a visitor could want : ) Lincoln, local history, US history, all incredible sections here. So much to see, plan at least 2-3 hours! Charming atmosphere, random chats with locals in the know - the man behind me in line knew several of the Lincoln scholars who wrote chapters in the book I was buying, fun. Great prices too! Then go to lunch or dinner at Loukinens across from the governor's mansion, and that's the ideal Springfield day.

Amazing used bookstore! Huge selection and fairly well organized. Plan to spend a few hours minimum searching.

One of the last REAL bookstores I've come across. Rare books, cool setting, and there's even a leather chair right there to sit on as you're browsing. They have a ton of silver age comics but nothing I saw key. Still a great bookstore in downtown Springfield near public parking and by the best restaurant in Springfield, Long Nine Junction!

Purchased a book online from Prairie Archives bookshop and they turned around and canceled the sale. This after they finally forwarded the pics I repeatedly requested of the book so it was obviously available, they must have decided they could get more for it. No communication or explanation given. Horrible way to do business. Would never shop their store again.

Absolutely a highlight of a three day visit to the city. Wonderful seller, wonderful real bookstore. Filled with old goodies, including some postcards for my purchase. Sadly, not enough time to look at other treasures with someone standing outside waiting for me. Will certainly return next time in town. Also the ebay listings from this shop are worth looking at.

My all time favorite book store. Good prices and some good old finds. They also have tons of comic books and graphic novels in the back. It's like an old library you can buy books from. I cannot like this bookstore any more than I do.

My son and I were visiting from California and we stoped in and were instantly hooked. This place has so many books, comics, maps, magazines etc. I loved the feel of th eplace, a trip back in time. The owners were super friendly and shipped a box of books back to Ca. for us for only $15. They arrived today and they had carefully wrapped each book in newspaper for protection. This place is a treasure.

No one would ever accuse this place of being frilly. I absolutely love how legit and genuine this place is. I feel like this is how a lot of people would love to live, but don't for fear of it getting too out of hand or because it's borderline messy. Organized chaos at its finest, I tell you. The boxes of books sitting around, the maps for sale against the wall, the grand old jugs sitting around... this place screams personality and vintage mystique. There really is something for everyone in here. I myself am not a big history buff so when I walked in and saw shelves and shelves of books separated by war period, I was a bit uneasy. However, I was pleased to find shelves of fiction (as an academic I feel like I shouldn't admit this, but I am always drawn to the fiction racks), home decor shelves, even a parenting section tucked away in the back. The religion room tickled my fancy too, and I spent more time than I care to admit holed away reading quotes from the Dalai Llama. I am in love. Can't wait to have my dad come visit so he can check this place out with me... which isn't something I say often, as social interactions with dad always prove to be awkward. However, this place is just his style. I'll be making lots of ventures back here.

This place is pretty holy if you're a book lover. Bargain prices on paperbacks and hardcovers on every topic from fiction to sheet music. They also carry a wide variety of historical political and advertising buttons, paintings and prints of archival quality, and other charming tidbits. If you find yourself in Springfield, I'd say it's the only place you must, must, must visit.

I really like going here, bringing other people here, and generally hanging out here. I've accumulated a few hours over several visits, and I always leave with something. They have books, LOTS of books, of course. But also unconventional stuff like maps, comics, post cards, cookbooks, and historic documents. As you might expect from a place across the street from the Old State Capitol, it has a lot of Illinois, Springfield, and Lincoln-centric material. But their collection goes way beyond just that. Check it out!

A great place to spend an afternoon! Every time we are in Springfield it is a priority to visit the bookstore and sometimes we come out with just a few books and other times it's a big bag full. The store is fairly well organized for the amount of books they have and they have books on every subject. If you love books you have to visit this place!

I could go on forever about the many ways this store is amazing (selection, pricing, Rob!!!!), however, two will suffice. "Bitchin' Camaro." That is all. Shop here now.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I had to leave after 5 minutes because I knew if I didn't I'd be there 5 hours. I would make a special trip to Springy-ding-ding just to hit this bookstore. Not kidding.

As good as used book stores get! Wonderful collections! Move aside, Half Price Books, Springfield doesn't need you! Parking can be tricky though. Don't get a ticket!

As others have said, this place is in fact a maze of awesomeness. Its the type of place you mean to run into for a minute or two then come out of hours later like you have been in a time warp. There are literally shelves and piles and stacks and rows and heaps of books everywhere you look. Half the fun is thinking youll bend down and dig through some pile to find a hidden treasure. A great place to laze away and afternoon.

I absolutely love this place! Its like a literary maze of awesomeness. Theres rooms and rooms stuffed to the gills with books and stuff and have benches and wingbacked chairs scattered throughout that have piles of books stacked on top of them. its truely an enjoyable experience. They have a great selection of all different kinds of books, music and comic books. I was thrilled to see they had the Jungle Book soundtrack on vinyl. Too bad I was on my way to STL and I dont have a record player. In addition to vinyl, they also have a great selection of cd's and cassettes. This is definitely going to be a place I stop at every time im in Springfield. Only downside to this place is its located in the Old Capitol building plaza so unless you get street side parking, you have to park in the public parking lot. It is wheelchair accessible, however be mindful that this place is reminescent of a booklovers library in a movie so although there is wheelchair access theres very narrow areas to get through due to the stacks and stacks of books

Love Prarie Archives, I could get lost in there for hours. Regardless of the genre, you will find what your looking for.

I love this place. I agree with the people who called this place is in fact a "maze of awesomeness." it is door to door and wall to wall stuffed with books. it is like something about of a movie about a monster that stacks books to lure people in order to get eaten. It also has great books for a dollar outside that you just pay for by throwing money into the mail slot. All honor code.

You know this really bothered me and I don't normally post negative reviews. But I was walking past this shop and I stopped to view some of the books in the display window, I see an older man walk out and sort through some books, I looked at him and said "hey how are you" and the man didn't even look at me or have any intention of asking me if I needed help with anything. Then not even a minute passes and in that span a homeless man stands there and asks for change, and I looked at the shop owner and asked "does this happen a lot?" And he looked at me and said nothing. I looked at him and said "I won't bother you anymore", and he said nothing. Very rude and hateful guy that owns this store, why would I do business with a guy that acts like he hates people.

Very awesome. Solid collections in every possible genre. Huge collections of history, politics, literature. Excellent children's book collection. New, old, all ages. Decent science and nature. Comparatively poor in engineering/math/technology. (But still adequate). Large and detailed cooking, media, pop culture. Very substantial collectors/signed/antique. (Eg, many US presidents, stuff from the 1600's, etc). Clean bathrooms, very knowledgable staff.

Don't fool yourself - this is not a big chain bookstore that smells of coffee grounds. This is a real, no frills, genuine bookstore. Don't expect organization, but do expect to find real treasures. Fun to browse, enjoy this book lovers dream.

I love this place! Always make it a point to come here when I visit Springfield now that I know about it. Been here twice already. Yes, the smell when you first walk in is heavenly. I went nuts when I saw the James Patterson collection! Lots and lots! Wish I had more money. Woulda bought them all! I found my Campbell's Cookbook that was ruined in a flood here! Woo Hoo! Exact same one! I was able to use my 25.00 Visa Gift Card, and pay the rest with a credit card. And the people that work here are so nice! They don't rush you. Heck, the place is SO big, they don't even know you're there! Something for everyone. I didn't need a book, but I found some anyway! Just watch out for the dog on the floor!

I loooove this bookstore. So many books, and so cheap (based on the "light" books I read). You've got to dig around for treasures, but that's part of the fun. One of the few things I miss about Springfield. I haven't been there in 3 years, but I still remember it.

You're lured inside by the carts of bargain books in the outer foyer. Then, the real fun begins. You're about to enter a genuine book store. A treasure trove of just about anything you can imagine. New and old books. Ancient periodicals. Comic books you haven't seen since your mom sold them at a garage sale back in the '70s. An indolent black dog resting on the floor. Boxes piled up to the ceilings. Just about everything organized by category. An owner who truly knows his stuff. Bibliophile heaven!

I just received a book I bought from them via AbeBooks.com, which came in a padded envelope. The book itself was wrapped in newspaper, as is the usual tactic with books from used bookstores, in my experience. However, no bookseller has ever taken the time to wrap it in a really beautiful photograph (a Louis Vuitton ad)! Hilarious, and delightful. Some very cool person wrapped my book. I hope I end up in Springfield someday, and can visit the place in person.

a really friendly place to visit. It has a lot of books and particularly collectable and historic books. The window display is always interesting and changed often. I always see an interesting book displayed. The y have a good sized bargain section also. It is a large older building and feels like a used bookstore from literature would feel. It is just south of the old state capitol in the square. A lot of summer weekend events take place right in front of the store. It is surrounded by good places to eat.

Got a good collection of vinyl for a really good price.

Visited Prairie Archives while my wife and I were in Springfield to visit the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln's funeral procession. The stop was the highlight of our day trip. The stacks and stacks of books and old magazines (I purchased several 1970s' issues of Sports Illustrated) reminded me of being at a bookstore I grew up with in the French Quarter (New Orleans) called The Olive Tree during the 1970s and 1980s. This place is a treasure, and I look forward to going back again and again.

A booklover's paradise. The smell of books is enticing to many of us. The Prairie Archives is unique and wonderful. Overflowing, never enough shelf space, and areas with lighting problems. Still room after room of books for any taste and any price range. It is always a stop when I shop downtown.

My daughter, a high school history teacher, and I visited Springfield IL, in early March, during her Spring Break, to soak up as much of Mr. Lincoln as we could. We stumbled on Prairie Archives, and had a good time finding treasures. One I found was a Russa Graeme art print. My wife fell in love with Ms. Graeme in college, over thirty years ago. I had to get it for her. "Robb" at Prairie Archives said he didn't know what it would cost to ship it. I said I was happy to pay whatever it would take to send this print to San Francisco for my wife. Robb sent me an email invoice for ~$82; I added $50 to my check to compensate him for his troubles. The print arrived and the glass was shattered; the mattes were damaged beyond repair and the print was buckled. I advised Robb through two separate emails as to how the shipment was damaged. I was not asking for a refund, just a recognition that the shipment had not gone well, and that they could hopefully learn how to better package art for shipping. I have received NO responses. Again, I was not asking for a refund, just a statement that we had received very damaged goods. No response at all. If you make purchases here that need to be mailed, be aware: ownership, accountability and customer focus are sorely, sorely lacking.

A wonderful store for any book lover. Very well organized across a large range of topics from history to literature to art etc etc etc.

Eclectic, comprehensive, vast selection. They always have at least one book on my list when I go in (and I buy books on obscure topics.) Prices are fair, to say the least. They also give good value if you want to trade in old books.