Author Archives: editor

Home and Hospital for Fallen Women

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

The Home and Hospital for Fallen Women opened in 1868 at 902 S. 12th St., a building known generally as the Judge John Taylor House. The purpose of the Home and Hospital was described in 1871 in a pious, and … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Buildings, Children, Education, Historic Sites | Leave a comment

Carrol Hall (First Citizen)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Carrol Hall (1905-95) was a co-founder and first president of Springfield-based Horace Mann Insurance Co. In 1945, Hall joined with fellow teacher Les Nimmo to create Horace Mann (originally named the IEA Mutual Insurance Co.). The firm at first offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Education, First Citizens, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Horace Mann insurance

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Two Springfield public school teachers, Carrol Hall and Les Nimmo, founded the Illinois Education Association Mutual Assurance Co. in 1945 to market auto insurance to Illinois teachers. The company, later named Horace Mann Educators Corp. to honor the pioneering educator, soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Education, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

The horseshoe sandwich (with recipe)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

This entry was significantly expanded in December 2023. Although accounts differ, most people credit Joseph Schweska with creating the horseshoe sandwich, the locally famous open-faced combination of toast, meat and French fries covered in cheese sauce. As the story goes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Restaurants | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Thomas Houghan

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Dr. Thomas Houghan (??-1862) built the Springfield home now known as Edwards Place in 1833. He sold it to Benjamin Edwards in 1843. Houghan was one of the first 10 physicians in Springfield and played a prominent role in local … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Prominent figures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Housing for African Americans, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. Topics covered included schools, care of “mental defectives, the insane and … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Ethnic groups, Springfield Survey | Leave a comment

Elijah Iles House

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

The house pioneer merchant Elijah Iles is thought to have had built for his family near Sixth and Cook streets in the 1830s* now is a museum and display place for exhibits focused on Springfield history. Both Abraham Lincoln and … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Museums | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lyman Hubbard Sr.

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Lyman Hubbard Sr. (1927-2012) was a career U.S. Air Force pilot and the only Springfieldian to be a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed all-black World War II air squadron. Hubbard, who flew B-25 bombers during World War II, … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Air travel, Ethnic groups, Military, Prominent figures | Tagged | 2 Comments

Nancy and Alexander Humphreys (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Nancy Humphreys was a charter member of both the Sangamo Presbyterian (1828) and Second Presbyterian (1835) churches in Springfield. John Todd Stuart places the residence of Nancy and Alexander Humphreys, as well as the site of Alexander’s blacksmith shop, near the … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ice harvesting

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Before artificial refrigeration was invented, ice was cut from rivers, ponds, and lakes during the winter and sent to storehouses, businesses, and homes. Bigger customers included produce shippers, grocery stores, and breweries, which needed huge quantities of ice. Springfield’s old … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business | Tagged , , | Leave a comment