Author Archives: editor

Susan Wilcox

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

Susan Wilcox (1866-1943) taught English and other subjects at Springfield High School for 46 years, nurturing such budding talents as Vachel Lindsay and Robert Fitzgerald. Lindsay later called Wilcox his “noblest and most faithful friend of my life.” Wilcox was … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Springfield Survey, 1914

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey of 1914 was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions, and it’s still well-known in the fields of sociology and social work. But, partly because it was so ambitious, nothing similar was ever attempted … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Children, Education, Law enforcement, Local government, Medicine, Parks, Photos and photosets, Public health, Resources, Schools and school districts, Social services, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | 4 Comments

‘Well and privy menace,’ 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

This photo is taken from a report done for the Springfield Survey, which 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. … Continue reading →

Posted in Public health, Springfield Survey | Leave a comment

West Side Capitol Neighborhood (Fever River report)

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

The West Side Capitol neighborhood, an area  of Springfield running west of the Statehouse, is one of five areas of Springfield that have been exhaustively studied by Fever River Research of Springfield. The resulting reports  are extraordinarily informative historical and … Continue reading →

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WICS television

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

WICS signed on for the first time on Sept. 30, 1953, broadcasting the World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees, according to Doug Quick, who has compiled a massive online history of central Illinois broadcasting. The station’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business | Tagged , | 2 Comments

John Williams (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

John Williams (1808-90) was an early Springfield merchant and later, according to his Illinois State Journal obituary, a banker, railroad developer, mine owner and farmer. A friend and political ally of Abraham Lincoln, Williams later was a member of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Police Officer Porter Williams, 1916 (photo)

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

Porter Williams held the rank of detective sergeant in the Springfield Police Department when he was shot to death during rioting by coal miners on Sept. 25, 1932. Williams’ killer was never identified. The Springfield Police Department now sponsors the … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Law enforcement, Photos and photosets, Springfield | Tagged | Leave a comment

World War I Homecoming Celebration

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

Sangamon County honored its veterans of World War I with a daylong Homecoming Celebration on June 24, 1919. The event began with a parade that started in downtown Springfield and ended at Washington Park. The memorial service there was described … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Celebrations | Tagged | 2 Comments

Young gentlemen at cards, 1840s (photo)

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

The four card players in this photo, thought to have been taken between 1840 and 1845, are believed to be, from left: Zimri Enos, an engineer, attorney and surveyor who left personal reminiscences that are important to understanding Sangamon County’s pioneer … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Histories, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Erastus Wright

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

Erastus Wright (1779-1870) was a teacher, businessman, public official and farmer in a varied career spent mostly in central Illinois. He also was an early Springfield abolitionist and was one of Abraham Lincoln’s pallbearers. Wright was born in Massachusetts and traveled with … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Churches, Early residents, Education, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Railroads | Tagged | 2 Comments