Author Archives: editor

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

Elijah Iles (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Elijah Iles (1796-1883) was Springfield’s first merchant and perhaps its most dynamic founder. Iles built a log store near the settlement of the John Kelly family shortly after arriving in central Illinois. Iles described his move to Sangamon County and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Native Americans, Parks, Prominent figures, Springfield | Leave a comment

Illini Country Club

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Illini Country Club was founded in 1906 on 138 acres of farmland off Chatham Road that was purchased from Noble Wiggins. Illini was an outgrowth of the Springfield Golf Club, which had owned what now is the Pasfield Park Golf … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Sports and recreation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Thomas Cox (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Thomas Cox (1787-1844) bought out the property of the John Kelley family to become one of the four original proprietors of Springfield in 1824. (The others were Elijah Iles, Pascal Enos and John Taylor.) Cox previously was a prominent resident … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures | Tagged | Leave a comment

Illinois Capitol Complex

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Nine major buildings make up the heart of what is known as the Capitol Complex – the Statehouse and surrounding state government structures. Included are: *The Capitol itself *The Michael J. Howlett Building (formerly the Centennial Building), south of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, State government | Leave a comment

Illinois Capitol

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Today’s Illinois Capitol is the sixth building to have been so designated. The state rented the first, a two-story brick building in Kaskaskia, the first capital, for $4 a day. The next three capitols were in Vandalia, where the capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Buildings, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, State government | Leave a comment

Illinois Executive Mansion, 1860 (lithograph)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

The Illinois Executive Mansion is one of the three oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansions in the U.S. Since the lithograph above was done, the mansion has lost the cupola, the columns on the entrance portico and the balconies. (Reprinted in The … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Fever River, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, State government | Tagged | Leave a comment

Illinois governors (list)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Jay Robert “JB” Pritzker, a Democrat, took office as the 43rd governor of Illinois in 2019. Previous governors, with party affiliation and years in office (reverse order) Bruce Rauner (Republican), 2015-19 Patrick Quinn (Democrat) 2009-15 Rod Blagojevich (D), 2003-09 George … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois capital, Politics, State government | Tagged | Leave a comment

Illinois High School Association state champions (teams)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

This entry has been updated through 2019 and also to correct the omission of two championships won by teams from Pleasant Plains High School. Thanks to Mike Barlow (see comments) for pointing out the omissions. GIRLS Cross-country Sacred Heart-Griffin High … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Sports and recreation | 2 Comments

Lanphier Park

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

See Robin Roberts Stadium.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment