Author Archives: editor

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 →

Posted in Early residents | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in African Americans, Early residents | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Agriculture, Farming, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Charles H. Spaulding

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Charles Herbert Spaulding (1888-1968), described at his death as “the nation’s foremost water technologist,” provided the technical innovations that enabled his brother, Willis J. Spaulding, to carry out his vision of a publicly owned Springfield water system. Charles Spaulding designed … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Prominent figures, Public health, Springfield | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Willis J. Spaulding

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

“Next to Lincoln, Willis Spaulding was our greatest citizen,” then-Mayor Nelson Howarth said upon Spaulding’s death in 1965. “… His leadership in the fight for public utilities resulted in Lake Springfield, pure water, low electric rates and acres of recreational … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Prominent figures, Springfield, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Rev. Francis Springer

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

The Rev. Francis Springer (1810-92) is considered the father of Lutheranism in Springfield. A service he held in his home in 1841 led to the founding of the first Lutheran congregation in the city. That church later evolved into both … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Education, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Social services | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments