Author Archives: editor

Sangamon County farm statistics, 1860

Posted on April 25, 2014 by editor

The 1860 federal census of agriculture for Sangamon County reported the county had 2,237 farms encompassing a total of 379, 512 acres.  The average farm size was about 170 acres. County residents owned 12,607 horses, 8,121 milk cows, 17,363 beef … Continue reading →

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Census figures

Posted on April 21, 2014 by editor

See Population changes, 1840-2010 for figures on Sangamon County as a whole and for the city of Springfield individually.

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Population changes, 1830-2020

Posted on April 21, 2014 by editor

Below are U.S. Census population figures for Sangamon County as a whole beginning in 1830 and for the city of Springfield alone beginning in 1840. (The 1830 Census did not separate out figures for individual communities.) Racial designations below are … Continue reading →

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James A. Stubbs masonry

Posted on April 19, 2014 by editor

James A. Stubbs (1864-1937) was a builder, brick and masonry contractor and landlord for 45 years in Springfield. His work was generally unmarked,  but many of his buildings still stand and are a distinctive part of the city’s fabric. Stubbs, … Continue reading →

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Endurance flying record, 1939

Posted on April 19, 2014 by editor

Brothers Hunter and Humphrey Moody beat the world record for endurance flying in a light aircraft — nearly 344 hours — in July and August 1939. The brothers, who lived in Dalton City, set the record flying out of Springfield … Continue reading →

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Cemeteries in Sangamon County

Posted on April 14, 2014 by editor

The most complete online list of Sangamon County cemeteries seems to be one compiled by findagrave.com. Findagrave includes 278 listings, including both operating and defunct cemeteries, as well as alternate names for many cemeteries. Findagrave also identifies private and family … Continue reading →

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St. Francis of Assisi Church

Posted on April 14, 2014 by editor

St. Francis of Assisi Church, designed by the Springfield architectural firm of Helmle & Helmle and built in the 1920s, has been called “one of the undiscovered treasures of Springfield.” Also see Franciscan Life Center.

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Lincoln Tomb reconstruction and rededication, 1930-31

Posted on April 4, 2014 by editor

President Herbert Hoover rededicated the Lincoln Tomb in front of a massive crowd on June 17, 1931. The occasion was the reopening of the tomb following a complete reconstruction, including a new interior. When the memorial was erected in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, National Register, Presidents | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fiatallis

Posted on April 3, 2014 by editor

Fiatallis (earlier Fiat-Allis) was the final corporate name of Allis-Chalmers, which manufactured construction equipment at a plant in Springfield from 1928 until 1985. See Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. 

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‘Hell at Midnight in Springfield’

Posted on March 31, 2014 by editor

Hell at Midnight in Springfield: or A Burning History of the Sin and Shame of the Capital City of Illinois was a rant against vice, alcohol and, especially, “political Romanism” written by professional anti-Catholic William Lloyd Clark after a visit to Springfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Law enforcement, Women | Tagged | 2 Comments