Author Archives: editor

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

Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Posted on May 24, 2026 by editor

On Memorial Day 1986, a small group of camouflage-clad Vietnam veterans walked through Oak Ridge Cemetery, anticipating construction of a memorial for Illinoisans killed or missing in the war. “People are coming to realize we did our job,” veteran Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Markers, Military | Leave a comment

Illinois Foundry Co.

Posted on May 16, 2026 by editor

The Illinois Foundry Co., which operated for 50 years on South 11th Street, was part of an industrial complex surrounding Springfield’s massive Allis-Chalmers/FiatAllis manufacturing plant. Mandelbert “M.W.” Baker (1875-1939)  formed Illinois Foundry in Springfield in 1917. The foundry was an … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry | 1 Comment

Chicago & Alton rail tragedy, 1873

Posted on May 8, 2026 by editor

Four Springfield men, including a former mayor, died gruesomely in a train collision outside Chicago in 1873. At least 19* people died in the crash, which occurred when a coal freight ran into – and under – a southbound Chicago … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Railroads, Transportation | 1 Comment

Col. John H. Wilson Jr., post office namesake

Posted on April 27, 2026 by editor

A tiny sign above a self-service stamp machine is the only public indication that Springfield’s Cook Street post office is named after a World War II hero. John H. Wilson Jr. (1918-2008) earned a Silver Star, the nation’s third highest … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Buildings, Military, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Mary Lou “Smokey” Schneider (women’s softball)

Posted on April 14, 2026 by editor

Mary Lou “Smokey” Schneider (1928–2015) was born and raised in Jacksonville, where she developed a passion for fast-pitch softball at an early age. She played for several teams over her career, including the Springfield Merchanettes and the City Water, Light … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Sports and recreation, Women, Women's softball | Leave a comment

Bernice “Dutch” Renken (women’s softball)

Posted on April 14, 2026 by editor

Bernice “Dutch” Renken (1932-2022), born on a farm outside of Pleasant Plains, joined the powerhouse Madison Furniture Co. women’s softball team in 1950. Madison Furniture dropped its sponsorship in 1951, but the team, including Renken, remained together as the Californian … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Sports and recreation, Women, Women's softball | 2 Comments