Author Archives: editor

Sattley Manufacturing Co.

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

See Hummer Manufacturing Co. 

Posted in Business, Industry | Tagged | Leave a comment

School problems, 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 Children, Education, Schools and school districts, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

See Second Presbyterian Church.

Posted in Abolitionism, Buildings, Churches | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Second Presbyterian Church

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s Second Presbyterian Church (now known as Westminster Presbyterian Church), was founded in May 1835, when 30 members of First Presbyterian Church split from the parent congregation. Although some researchers ascribe the split to a dispute over slavery, with Second … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Buildings, Churches | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Shaheen’s Springfield Speedway

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Joe Shaheen (1905-89)  operated the Springfield Speedway on the southeast corner of Dirksen Parkway and Clear Lake Avenue from 1947 to 1988. Shaheen’s, also known as Little Springfield, was  a quarter-mile dirt oval. Races over the years featured midgets, stock … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Sports and recreation, Transportation, Uncategorized | 18 Comments

Asa Shaw

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Asa S. Shaw, a native of New York, was justice of the peace in 1828 Springfield. John Todd Stuart in 1881 recalled Shaw as “possessed of a very strong intellect, good judgment and superior business qualifications,” but said Shaw “succumbed … Continue reading →

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Mack, Frank and Mary “Polly” Shelby

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Mack and Frank Shelby, ages 27 and 29, respectively, bought a lot at the southwest corner of Third and Washington streets in 1826, according to the Early African American Population of Springfield Illinois by Richard E. Hart (2008). Mack was … Continue reading →

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Mary and John Sherill

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Mary Pentacost Sherill (1802-1850?)was a founding member of Springfield’s Second Presbyterian Church (later Westminster Presbyterian Church), which was formed on May 26, 1835. Second Presbyterian was known as both the Abolitionist Church and the Temperance Church. Mary’s husband, John (1784-1858), … Continue reading →

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

Hettie Bunker Smith

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Hettie Bunker Smith (1896-1989), an art teacher and housewife, began making artificial facial features for disfigured people in 1934, when a friend asked her for help covering a facial scar. Eventually, she received a presidential citation for her volunteer work … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Social services | Tagged | Leave a comment

Spaulding Orchard

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

The Spaulding family, starting with J. B. Spaulding, grandfather of Willis and Charles Spaulding and Maydie Spaulding Lee, at various times owned several orchards around Springfield. The village of Spaulding, next to Riverton, “got its railroad station because of the … Continue reading →

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