Author Archives: editor

Explosion on North Seventh Street, 1937

Posted on September 4, 2014 by editor

Authorities blamed a Springfield arson ring for a massive explosion that destroyed two north-end houses and damaged dozens of others on March 17, 1937. Eight people were charged with arson and insurance fraud in the case. But the main defendant … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Disasters, Law enforcement | Tagged | 1 Comment

Illinois Terminal railroad

Posted on September 2, 2014 by editor

See The interurban railway.

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Illinois Traction System

Posted on September 2, 2014 by editor

See The interurban railway.

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The interurban railway

Posted on September 2, 2014 by editor

The Illinois Traction System, though originally an electric railway, was far more than a trolley. The ITS, also widely known as “the interurban” or “the traction,” was, in fact, a lifeline for many in central Illinois during the first half … Continue reading →

Posted in Railroads, Transportation | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Illinois Soil and Soy Bean Special

Posted on August 30, 2014 by editor

The Illinois Soil and Soy Bean Special was a six-car train that promoted expansion of soybean acreage in central Illinois in the spring of 1927. See Soybeans for more information.

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Soybeans

Posted on August 30, 2014 by editor

Soybeans, now the second-leading crop in Sangamon County (as they are in most of the Midwest), became a staple on county farms in the 1920s. The increase in soybean production already had been dramatic, but it had started from a … Continue reading →

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Lithuanian children at Palmer School, 1910s

Posted on August 22, 2014 by editor

Excerpted from “An Immigrant Childhood,” written by Ann Tisckos Wisnosky and republished on Sandy Baksys’ Lithuanians in Springfield web site.   When we started Palmer School, we were looked upon as “those foreign kids” and sometimes called names. Other ethnic groups … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Ethnic groups, Lithuanians, Schools and school districts | Tagged | 5 Comments

Elizabeth Brown Ide

Posted on August 14, 2014 by editor

Elizabeth Brown Ide (1873-1978), who was born into money and married more, could have been merely a socialite. Instead, she became Springfield’s most prominent children’s advocate during the early 20th century. Ide’s parents were Christopher Brown and Caroline Owsley Brown, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Medicine, Prominent figures, Public health, Social services, Springfield Survey, Women | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Virginia Eifert

Posted on August 8, 2014 by editor

Virginia Eifert (1911-66) was a self-taught naturalist, artist and newspaper columnist and the founding editor of The Living Museum, published by the Illinois State Museum, which she oversaw from 1939 until her death in 1966. She also was the author … Continue reading →

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Alja Crook (Illinois State Museum)

Posted on August 8, 2014 by editor

Alja Crook (1864-1930), as curator of the Illinois State Museum from 1906 until his death, is credited with bringing the Illinois State Museum into the 20th century. See entry on the Illinois State Museum. A brief biography also is here.

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