Author Archives: editor

American House hotel

Posted on November 22, 2013 by editor

The American House hotel, built on the southeast corner of Sixth and Adams streets in 1837, was the largest hotel in Illinois for more than a decade. See Trip to Springfield, 1852. 

Posted in Hotels & taverns | Leave a comment

Springfield School District desegregation order (1976)

Posted on November 19, 2013 by editor

The Rev. Negil McPherson filed suit against the Springfield School District in April 1974, accusing the district of “numerous deliberate actions all of which boiled down to creating, fostering, and maintaining racial and ethnic segregation in the Springfield, Illinois, public … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Local government, Schools and school districts | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Sangamon County historic landmarks

Posted on November 18, 2013 by editor

As of February 2021, nine sites had been designated historic landmarks by Sangamon County. They were: *The George Power Courthouse (Cantrall) *The Brunk Farmstead (Rochester) *The Lincoln-Van Buren Trail (between Rochester and Springfield) *Sangamon Ordnance Plant water tower (Illiopolis) *Inn … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Sangamon County | 2 Comments

John Knoepfle

Posted on November 17, 2013 by editor

See Sangamon County poets.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Susan Lawrence Dana

Posted on November 16, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in July 2023. See “Hat tips” below. Susan Lawrence Dana (1862-1946) was a Springfield socialite, activist and philanthropist best known for commissioning architect Frank Lloyd Wright to transform her family’s Civil War-era home at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Museums, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, Social services, State government, Women | 2 Comments

Joe DeFrates

Posted on November 15, 2013 by editor

Joe DeFrates was the founder of Chilli Man Chilli and a two-time winner of the International Championship Chili competition in Terlingua, Texas. See Chili ‘chilli’ in Springfield.

Posted in Prominent figures, Restaurants | Leave a comment

The Sugar Bowl restaurants

Posted on November 14, 2013 by editor

Springfield had two Sugar Bowl restaurants, both on South Grand Avenue, which between them lasted from 1919 to 1959. Teddy Gray (1892-1977) was the main operator of the 11th Street and South Grand Sugar Bowl, while Alex Karon (1893-1972) was primarily identified … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Ethnic groups, Greeks, Restaurants, Transportation | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Gertrude Wright

Posted on November 14, 2013 by editor

Gertrude Wright, who was the first African American to graduate from Springfield High School, went on to marry Clement Morgan, a lawyer in Massachusetts. Both Wright Morgan and her husband played prominent roles in W.E.B. Dubois’ Niagara Movement, designed as … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

‘Iron Man’ Joe McGinnity

Posted on November 14, 2013 by editor

Joe McGinnity, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame known better as “Iron Man McGinnity,” played baseball and ran a tavern in Springfield in the late 1890s. See Pre-1900 baseball. 

Posted in Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Leave a comment

State Sen. Hugh Magill

Posted on November 14, 2013 by editor

State Sen. Hugh Magill (1868-1958) was the original sponsor of the 1913 law that gave Illinois women the right to vote. See Women’s suffrage in Illinois; see also Auburn.

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