Author Archives: editor

Bank run of 1932 (George Bunn Jr. memoir)

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

George “Gib” Bunn Jr. remembered Springfield’s banking crisis of December 1932 in an oral interview conducted in 1973. The interviewer was John Bucari. Below is an edited transcript of the section of the interview dealing with the failure of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Depression, Prominent figures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bates Experimental Road

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

The Bates Experimental Road of 1922-23  was, literally and figuratively, a groundbreaking study. In the early 1920s, the Illinois Division of Highways was preparing to embark on a major road construction program to accommodate the rapidly growing population of automobiles. … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Benjamin Franklin statue

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

The Benjamin Franklin statue that sits in front of the former headquarters of the Franklin Life Insurance Company was unveiled on Sept. 8, 1949. Featured speaker for the ceremony was Vice President Alben Barkley. Ann Otway Byrd Castle, the great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter … Continue reading →

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Rev. John Bergen (1828 pioneers)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Rev. John Bergen (1790-1872) was the first full-time pastor of Springfield’s original Presbyterian church, which was founded in 1828. He, his wife Margretta (1793-1853) and their family moved to Springfield in late 1828 from New Jersey, where John Bergen had … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents, Parks, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Bettie Stuart Institute

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

The Bettie Stuart Institute educated young women, mainly from the Springfield area, from the 1860s into the 1930s. Courses ranged from English, math and foreign languages to art, vocal and instrumental music, but, as an advertisement for the school pointed … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Education, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, Uncategorized, Women | Leave a comment

Black farmers at Chinkapin Hill

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Chinkapin Hill was the colloquial name for an area northwest of Springfield that was settled starting in the 1830s by a cluster of African-American farmers. Curtis Mann profiled the Chinkapin Hill settlement in the Sangamon County Historical Society’s newsletter, Historico, … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Agriculture, Early residents, Farming, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Black residents’ resolution opposing Liberia emigration (1858)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Black residents of the Springfield area met on Feb. 12, 1858 to protest the Dred Scott decision by the U.S. Supreme Court and to express their opposition to proposals that the United States solve its slavery problem by encouraging blacks … Continue reading →

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Board of Trade

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Board of Trade was formed in 1869. See Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

Posted in Business | 2 Comments

Bolivia Road Bridge (National Register)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

The Bolivia Road Bridge over the North Fork of the Sangamon River, 20 miles southeast of Springfield,  connects Sangamon County with Christian County. Bolivia (pronounced in central Illinois as “Bolivee”) was an early community located along the road that connected … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, National Register, Transportation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Charles Boyd (1828 pioneers)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Charles Boyd (1794-1881) was a tailor who lived in Springfield from 1820 to 1830. A family history credits him with building the third cabin, first brick chimney and first dry well in Springfield, as well as making the first tax … Continue reading →

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