Monthly Archives: September 2026

New Salem residents: ‘hard to cheat, hard to whip, and still harder to fool’

Posted on September 14, 2026 by editor

The site of New Salem, the village where Abraham Lincoln lived as a young man, is in Menard County today. When Lincoln lived there, however, New Salem was part of Sangamon County. See below. In researching his foundational biography, Herndon’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Early residents, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Markers, Museums, Parks, Presidents, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lake Springfield site planning

Posted on September 3, 2026 by editor

Willis Spaulding, Springfield utilities commissioner from 1911 to 1943, is rightly considered the father of Lake Springfield. But a less heralded public servant also deserves credit for helping decide where city residents get their water – and then where it … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Prominent figures, Sangamon River, Springfield | Leave a comment