Author Archives: editor

Coney Island restaurant

Posted on July 19, 2023 by editor

On a sunny April day in 1989, hungry Springfieldians lined up to savor a hot dog from the Coney Island Restaurant at 114 N. Sixth St.  The line, which wrapped around the block, included citizens from all walks of life, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Celebrations, Ethnic groups, Greeks, Prominent figures, Restaurants | 5 Comments

Sangamo Club

Posted on July 9, 2023 by editor

The very first Sangamo Club boasted a technological marvel: a telephone that could be raised and lowered between the first and second floors. The Sangamo Club, founded in 1890, closed, apparently permanently, in June 2023. Over 133 years in existence, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Prominent figures, Social life, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Grunendike delivery prank, 1936

Posted on July 4, 2023 by editor

The deliveries began at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1936. One after another, merchants, tradesmen, delivery people and cab drivers, even a veterinarian,  knocked on the door of the Grunendike home at 500 S. Sixth St. They brought cakes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Former fire chief killed in World’s Fair blaze, 1893

Posted on June 22, 2023 by editor

Seventeen people died in a spectacular fire during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. One was former Springfield Fire Marshal John H. Freeman. Following his second stint as fire marshal (today’s fire chief), Freeman enlisted with the World’s Fair fire company. … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Fires, Local government, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Springfield loses a newspaper, 1919

Posted on June 14, 2023 by editor

The News-Record, the last credible challenger to the Illinois State Journal and Illinois State Register in Springfield’s daily newspaper market, published its final edition on May 5, 1919. The closure was a good deal for everybody concerned … except maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Communications, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Grand Army of the Republic parade, 1932 (video)

Posted on June 4, 2023 by editor

Aging but still vital, more than 700 veterans of the Union Army marched through downtown Springfield as part of the 1932 national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. Movie cameras captured part of parade, which was held on … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Military, Videos | 2 Comments

Saloon free lunches

Posted on May 18, 2023 by editor

In November 1927, Illinois State Journal writer A.L. Bowen embarked on a three-day series of columns remembering the restaurants, saloons and hotels that dotted downtown Springfield when he arrived in the city at the turn of the 20th century. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Social life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Drowning of Mayor Griffiths, 1907

Posted on May 12, 2023 by editor

Springfield Mayor David Griffiths and Fire Chief Peter Jacobs were on their way to a day of fishing June 12, 1907. When they took a wrong turn, their buggy overturned in a Sangamon River backwater slough. Neither man could swim. … Continue reading →

Posted in Illustrations, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Sangamon River | Leave a comment

Shot-firers, ‘windy shots’ and coal mine safety

Posted on May 7, 2023 by editor

The Illinois General Assemply approved a law in 1905 designed to safeguard coal miners from black-powder explosions. It didn’t work that way for John Stratton, Thomas Hiscock, William Wilson, Herman Kownatzky, Robinson Ridley and Loren Dunbar. The six men, all … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Coal mines and mining, Disasters, Industry, Labor unions | 1 Comment

Sam Willis, chef

Posted on April 30, 2023 by editor

Thousands of African-Americans fled Springfield in the wake of the 1908 race riot. The city’s best chef may have been one. Samuel Willis (1856-1920), a native of Virginia, moved to Springfield in the 1870s. He apparently learned the restaurant business … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Uncategorized | 6 Comments