Author Archives: editor

Harry Loper (1908 race riot)

Harry Loper, a successful white restaurateur, owned one of the few motorcars in Springfield in 1908. So when Sangamon County Sheriff Charles Werner wanted to move two black accused murderers out of the county jail before a white mob stormed … Continue reading

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Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop

This entry has been updated, corrected and expanded. Opened in the 1920s, the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop at 118 N. Pasfield St. is thought to be the oldest sandwich shop in continuous operation in Springfield. It also claims to have the … Continue reading

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Rabbi Barry Marks (First Citizen)

Barry Marks, rabbi at Temple Israel in Springfield, was named Springfield’s First Citizen in 2011. (Image from award plaque, left) Marks was honored for more than 30 years of community involvement, including helping to found the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association … Continue reading

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Charles Matheny (1828 pioneers)

Charles R. Matheny (1786-1839), was a prominent political and religious leader in Sangamon County’s earliest days. Born in Virginia, Matheny was ordained a Methodist minister and studied law in Kentucky. He was elected to the Illinois territorial legislature from St. … Continue reading

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Memorial Medical Center

See Springfield Hospital and Training School. 

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Brother James Court

See St. James Trade School.

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Howard Austin

See Sangamon County poets.

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‘The Rolling Mill’

See Springfield Iron Co. 

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John Knoepfle

See Sangamon County poets.

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Isaac Diller mansion

See Robert Rudolph. 

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