Monthly Archives: June 2026

Joe Gomes’ parachute jump, 1887

Posted on June 19, 2026 by editor

Thousands of people gathered at Ninth Street and Enos Avenue on Dec. 5, 1887, to see Springfield-born daredevil Joe Gomes parachute 3,000 feet from a trapeze attached to a hot-air balloon. Both the balloon and the parachute were handmade by … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Amusements, Spectacles | Leave a comment

Junior Home Economics Building, 1938-2026

Posted on June 12, 2026 by editor

The Junior Home Economics Building and its counterpart, the Junior Livestock Pavilion, were big improvements for the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1938, the Illinois State Register reported that June. This year, activities formerly carried on in the poultry building will … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Illinois State Fair, State government | Leave a comment

Bulls, Bull Calves and entrepreneurial Germans

Posted on June 7, 2026 by editor

Entrepreneurial Germans made up the heart of the Bull Club and its offshoot, the Bull Calves – which came into existence because none of the Bulls wanted to let their sons join the older club. “A lot of us were … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Germans, Industry, Prominent figures, Social life | Leave a comment

‘We prided ourselves in being first’ – Springfield broadcast memories

Posted on June 1, 2026 by editor

In 1990 or 1991, three of Springfield’s best-known television and radio personalities discussed local broadcast history with two interviewers from the Springfield chapter of Women in Communications Inc. The plan was to add historical items to “Making News in Mr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, First Citizens, Histories, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures | Leave a comment