Author Archives: editor

Sangamon County Fair

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Corrected entry; see below — ed. What essentially was the first Sangamon County Fair was an exhibition held Oct. 22, 1835, under sponsorship of the Sangamon County Agricultural Society. Winners at the first show were: John Todd and J.M. Shackleford, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Amusements, Celebrations, Farming, Maps, Sangamon County | Tagged | 1 Comment

Sangamon County farm memories

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

The Audio-Video Barn of the Illinois State Museum was created to collect oral histories about Illinois agriculture. The 130 “Stories from the Barn” include 18 by Sangamon County residents. They can be seen and heard as outlined below. Transcripts (.pdf … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Farming, Resources, Sangamon County | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sangamon County geology

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Dr. A.R. Crook, curator of the Illinois State Museum of Natural History, analyzed the geology of Sangamon County in a 1912 pamphlet. It included the following description of the soil and rock layers underlying the county down to about 1,700 … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Sangamon County, Soil | Leave a comment

Sangamon County Historical Society publications

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

The Sangamon County Historical Society has published 36 books, pamphlets and program booklets since 1965, on subjects ranging from Abraham Lincoln sculpture to the local chili culture to Springfield’s most powerful crime boss. Most of the publications remain in print … Continue reading →

Posted in Resources | 2 Comments

Sangamon County Jail, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 9, 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Law enforcement, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sangamon County poor farm, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 8, 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Public health, Social services, Springfield Survey | Tagged | 21 Comments

Sangamon Stage

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

The Sangamon Stage is a geological term used to designate one of the intervals between the successive advances of glacial ice across the landscape of North America. Also known as the Sangamon Interglacial, the period is so named because the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prehistory, Soil, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Santa Anna’s artificial leg

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

One of the more popular attractions at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield is the artificial leg that belonged to Mexican General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, conqueror of the Alamo. The limb was captured during the battle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Military, Museums, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Hummer Manufacturing Co.

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Operating under a variety of names, Hummer Manufacturing Co. (originally Sattley Manufacturing Co.) was one of Springfield’s most important industries for more than 70 years. The firm originated in 1851 as a small farm-machinery manufacturer operated in the Rochester area by brothers Archibald … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry | Tagged | 10 Comments

Racine-Sattley Manufacturing Co.

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

See Hummer Manufacturing Co. 

Posted in Business, Industry | Tagged | Leave a comment