Author Archives: editor

Fast food in Springfield

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The first drive-in restaurant in Springfield was the Sugar Bowl at 11th Street and South Grand Avenue, according to Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age, written by John Jakle of Champaign-Urbana and Keith Sculle of Springfield. The 11th … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Restaurants | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Fatal racing accident, 1910 Illinois State Fair

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Driver LaRue Vredenburgh (1882-1910) died in this crash during auto racing at the 1910 Illinois State Fair. The car, a green Stoddard-Dayton characterized as “one of the prettiest running cars on the track,” was traveling 60 mph when it went … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports and recreation, Transportation | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Federal court opinion on commission government (1987)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

U.S. Judge Harold Baker ruled on Jan. 12, 1987, that the effect of commission government in the city of Springfield had been to “submerge” African Americans as a voting minority and had made it practically impossible for a black person … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Ethnic groups, Law enforcement, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Springfield | Leave a comment

First United Methodist Church

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Early settler Charles Matheny had been an ordained Methodist circuit preacher in Kentucky, so it was only natural that he should start holding services in his home shortly after arriving in Springfield. Springfield’s First United Methodist Church considers that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents | Tagged | 3 Comments

First Presbyterian Church

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The Sangamon Presbyterian Church, now First Presbyterian Church, was founded by the Rev. John Ellis on Jan. 23, 1828. The energetic Rev. John Bergen soon became the church’s first permanent pastor, and he initiated plans to construct a church building. … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Churches, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 5 Comments

First Universalist Church

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

First Universalist Church, founded in 1852, operated, at least periodically, from a building at Fifth and Cook streets in Springfield from 1858 to about 1900. Although the local Universalists often went without a regular pastor — instead hearing lessons from … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cornelius Flagg Farmstead, Sherman

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

                                                  Flagg Farmstead, 2013 (SCHS photo) The Flagg Farmstead , 500 Old Tipton Road in Sherman … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Buildings, Business, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, National Register, Prominent figures, Railroads | Leave a comment

Levi and Garner Goodan (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Levi Goodan captained a company of militia, part of the Fourth Regiment of Whiteside’s Brigade, in the Black Hawk War. Among the regiment’s other three company commanders was Abraham Lincoln. Levi and his wife, Garner , lived in 1828 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents, Military | 1 Comment

Gottschalk Grocery

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

“The name Gottschalk has been synonymous in Springfield with quality foods,” the Illinois State Register proclaimed in 1924, when Gottschalk’s grocery celebrated 35 years in business at College Avenue and Edwards Street. At the time, in addition to basic staples, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Grocery markets, Historic Sites, National Register | 8 Comments

William Fleurville (Florville)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

William Fleurville (1807-1868) was a Haitian-born barber and businessman whose shop on Adams Street between Fifth and Sixth streets became a regular meeting place for Springfieldians, including Abraham Lincoln. The spelling of Fleurville’s last name is inconsistent; he often used … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Early residents, Ethnic groups, Prominent figures | Tagged , , | 20 Comments