Author Archives: editor

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.

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Illinois State Arsenal (1903)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the new Illinois State Arsenal  at Second and Monroe streets on June 4, 1903. The structure, designed by Bullard & Bullard architects and built at a cost of $150,000 by the Culver Stone and Marble Co., … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Buildings, Celebrations, Disasters, Lincoln, Abraham, Military, Museums, Race riot of 1908, Sports and recreation, State government | 7 Comments

Illinois State Fair

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

This entry, first published in 2013, was significantly expanded in 2023. The first Illinois State Fair was held in Springfield in October 1853 under the direction of the Illinois State Agricultural Association. The association’s president, James N. Brown (considered the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Amusements, Buildings, Celebrations, Farming, Illinois capital | 3 Comments

Illinois State Library, circa 1900 (photo)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

The Illinois State Library was founded in 1839 by then-Secretary of State Stephen Douglas, who reserved space for it next to his new office in what is now the Old Capitol State Historic Site. Abraham Lincoln, who used the library … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Illinois capital, Social services, State government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment