Author Archives: editor

Ted Curtis (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Ted Curtis, a Springfield native and U.S. Air Force veteran, became a real estate agent and later assistant real estate commissioner for the state of Illinois.  He served on the Springfield School Board for 10 years and was active in … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Ethnic groups, Military, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Theresa Faith Cummings (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Theresa Faith Cummings, a sixth-generation resident of Springfield, Illinois, was the first director of the Community Action Agency’s Neighborhood Center.   In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series,  she discussed the services the center provided, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethnic groups, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

John Crisp (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

John Crisp, a Springfield artist and jazz musician, discussed growing up in the John Hay Homes housing project, performing as a musician, and teaching music and art to youth in an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series. 

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Bettie Allen (African-American history interviews))

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Born in Springfield, Bettie Allen began working as a mechanic as a teenager and continued into adulthood, while also working for state government  She volunteered in the South, doing voter registration and civil rights work, in the 1960s. In an … Continue reading →

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Springfield African-American History Foundation interviews

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

As of late 2015, the Springfield African-American History Foundation, in conjunction with the oral history efforts of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, had published interviews with 30 black residents of Springfield. Those interviews can be found here. Interviewees are: Adams, Rosia: … Continue reading →

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Adelaide O’Brien

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Adelaide O’Brien was the maiden name of a pioneer woman aviator in central Illinois. See Adelaide O’Brien Rentschler.

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Adelaide O’Brien Rentschler (aviator)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Adelaide O’Brien (1915-99) of Springfield was the first licensed woman pilot in downstate Illinois. During World War II, O’Brien was a local ground instructor for U.S. Army Air Corps flight cadets. O’Brien also was widely known in central Illinois for … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Arts and letters, Military, Women | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Opening of Commercial Airport, 1928 (photo)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

     

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Business, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Scott Burton (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Scott Burton, a black barber, was one of two African-Americans who were lynched during the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908.

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Kate Howard (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Kate Howard, a white woman, was accused of being one of the leaders of a mob that destroyed Loper’s Restaurant at the start of the Springfield race riot. She committed suicide after being arrested. See Race riot of 1908.

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