Monthly Archives: February 2017

Wolf Creek Mill

Wolf Creek Mill, also known as Constant’s Mill, was on Wolf Creek in Williams Township, about three and a half miles southeast of Williamsville. The 1881 History of Sangamon County, Illinois states the mill was built in 1825 by Thomas … Continue reading

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Saputo’s Twins Corner

Saputo’s Twins Corner was the original name of Saputo’s restaurant, Eighth and Monroe streets. For a brief account, see Pizza in Springfield.

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Pizza in Springfield

Springfieldians got their first taste of pizza at The Wonder Inn tavern, 808 E. Washington St., in 1947. Fred and Anna Viele, who operated The Wonder Inn, began marketing “La Pizza” as “something new and tasty from Italy” in February … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Hotels & taverns, Italians, Restaurants | 11 Comments

J. Frank Prather, shorthorn cattle breeder

J. Frank Prather was important to the development of shorthorn cattle in Sangamon County, in Illinois and in the U.S. He owned the Price-Prather House, a National Register of Historic Places site in Williamsville, from 1882 until 1927. See Price-Prather … Continue reading

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Price-Prather House, Williamsville (National Register)

Williamsville’s Price-Prather House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places partly for its architectural features, but the building’s early owners, especially J. Frank Prather (1859-1927), played major roles in development of the beef cattle industry in Sangamon County, … Continue reading

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Farming, Historic Sites, Prominent figures | 6 Comments

Junior college referendum, 1961

Springfield voters defeated a proposal to create a city community college by a 5-1 margin in 1961. See Lincoln Land Community College founding.

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George Hoffmann (First Citizen)

George Hoffmann was a lawyer and civic leader who led a decade-long effort to expand higher education in Springfield. He received the Copley First Citizen award in 1969. See Lincoln Land Community College founding.

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Lincoln Land Community College founded, 1967

Lincoln Land Community College held its first classes on Sept. 23, 1968, in temporary buildings on a temporary site. Even the name was temporary. LLCC – officially known as Lincoln Land Junior College until two weeks after classes began –was … Continue reading

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Caldwell School, Thayer

The Caldwell School in Thayer, like that in Chatham, was named after the school’s major benefactor, U.S. Rep. Ben F. Caldwell. Both schools also had an unfortunate history of fires. For more on the Thayer school, see Edith Martin, teacher … Continue reading

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Caldwell State Bank, Chatham

The Caldwell State Bank, founded by Ben F. Caldwell, operated in Chatham from 1879 until the early 1930s. See Ben F. Caldwell: politician, farmer banker.

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