Search Results for: reisch

Reisch Brewing Co.

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Reisch Brewing Co., which operated (with a few interruptions) from 1849 to 1966 on Springfield’s north end, remains the best-known of Springfield’s many 19th- and early 20th-century breweries. Bottles, cans, labels and other mementoes of the Reisch operation are … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business, Fever River, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 5 Comments

George Reisch discusses Prohibition

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

George Reisch (1846-1936), a son of Franz Sales Reisch, founder of the Reisch Brewing Co., helped find ways to continue the business during Prohibition, making flavored soda water and malt syrup. But his opinion on banning alcoholic beverages was clear: … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business, Law enforcement | Tagged | Leave a comment

‘Bock Beer Day’, 1870s-’80s

Posted on April 12, 2024 by editor

“Today is Bock Beer Day, and the boys will all imbibe freely of the foaming extract of hops,” the Illinois State Journal predicted the morning of May 1, 1882. It didn’t always end happily for “the boys.” Bock beer is … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business, Celebrations, Crime and vice, Hotels & taverns, Law enforcement, Social life | Leave a comment

Elevator Milling Co. fire, 1927

Posted on August 9, 2023 by editor

As many as 5,000 people stood in pouring rain the evening of April 8, 1927, watching as a historic grain mill and elevator went up in flames across from the Third Street railroad station. The massive blaze destroyed 45,000 bushels … Continue reading →

Posted in Auto dealers, Buildings, Business, Disasters, Fires, Industry, Mills, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

First women lawyers

Posted on March 7, 2023 by editor

Erma Garrison Templeman was the first woman to practice law in Sangamon County. She wasn’t, however, the first to pass the bar exam; at least two other women beat her to that distinction. All three had noteworthy life stories, good … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Women | 1 Comment

Lincoln Tomb streetcar line (1880)

Posted on July 23, 2022 by editor

The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is a mile-and-a-half from downtown Springfield. That distance isn’t a problem in the 21st century, but it was a considerable obstacle when the tomb was new 150 years earlier. Distance was a big reason … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Germans, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Prominent figures, Transportation, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

First burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery

Posted on August 27, 2021 by editor

  Eliza Helmle, the infant daughter of Carl Albert and Marie Helmle, was the first person buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, according to cemetery records. A handwritten cemetery ledger says Eliza died of “teething” at nine months old; the record … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Germans, Markers, Oak Ridge signs | 2 Comments

Dennis Williams, crayon artist

Posted on June 24, 2021 by editor

  This entry, originally written in 2013, was greatly expanded and corrected in 2021, thanks to the research of Mary Frances of Springfield. See “Contributor” note at end. Update: There is an update to this entry. See New Dennis Williams … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts and letters, Business, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Southern Illinois Medical School 50th anniversary (2020)

Posted on March 31, 2020 by editor

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine indefinitely postponed its 50th anniversary alumni gala, which had been scheduled for April 4, 2020, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. The gala was a minor casualty of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Medicine, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Root beer stands

Posted on August 6, 2019 by editor

This entry has been edited to add photo above. Root beer stands first appear in Springfield city directories in 1931, with three outlets mentioned: A&W Root Beer, 408 E. Adams St; Icy Root Beer, Fifth Street and South Grand Avenue; … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Restaurants | 9 Comments