Author Archives: editor

Riverton

Posted on April 7, 2013 by editor

Like many early towns, the village of Riverton’s proximity to the Sangamon River contributed to its beginnings. A ferry across the Sangamon, operated by Ezikiel Judd, was the first enterprise in the area. He later transferred the ferry to his … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Coal mines and mining, Communities, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Mills, Railroads, Sangamon River, Schools and school districts, Sports and recreation, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Albert Ide and the Ideal Engine

Posted on April 5, 2013 by editor

Inventor and businessman Albert L. Ide (1841-1897) won international fame as the creator of the Ideal steam engine, which was used in early electric generation systems around the turn of the 20th century. Born in Ohio in 1841, Ide arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | 24 Comments

Auburn

Posted on April 2, 2013 by editor

Auburn was founded twice. The first time was in 1835 by the Eastman family – George and Asa, along with their sister Hannah, who chose “Auburn” as the name of the fledgling community. (An 1896 Illinois State Journal article hypothesized that … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Communities, Disasters, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Tagged | 1 Comment

New Berlin (and Berlin): Following the railroad

Posted on April 2, 2013 by editor

When Europeans arrived, three villages of Pottawatomie and Delaware Indians were in the Berlin/New Berlin area. “During the first few years after the first settlers came, the Indians were as numerous as the whites,” reports a New Berlin history in … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Disasters, Native Americans, Sports and recreation | Leave a comment

Berlin

Posted on April 2, 2013 by editor

Founded: When Europeans arrived, three villages of Pottawatomie and Delaware Indians were in the Berlin/New Berlin area. “During the first few years after the first settlers came, the Indians were as numerous as the whites,” reports a New Berlin history in … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Disasters, Native Americans, Sangamon County | Leave a comment

Thayer

Posted on April 1, 2013 by editor

Founded: Thayer was incorporated in 1901, centered around a railway station on the Chicago & Alton line and a Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Co. mine that, by 1910, employed 450 miners. As of 1910, Thayer had a population of … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Communities | Tagged | Leave a comment

National Register of Historic Places

Posted on March 31, 2013 by editor

The National Register of Historic Places includes more than 60 listings in Sangamon County. In addition to the linked list, more information on many of the sites is available on SangamonLink.org. Other entries will be added periodically. Use SangamonLink’s Index or the Search … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Historic Sites | Leave a comment

Photosets: My Old Postcards (Randy Von Liski)

Posted on March 31, 2013 by editor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/myoldpostcards/

Posted in Photos and photosets, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Chatham

Posted on March 31, 2013 by editor

The village of Chatham was laid out in October 1836 by Luther Ransom, who also built the first house in the community. Chatham got its first burst of growth following the building of the Alton & Sangamon Railroad (later the … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Early residents, Historic Sites, National Register | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Dawson

Posted on March 31, 2013 by editor

The village of Dawson is near an old Native American trail that ran from Clear Lake to Buffalo Hart. The village itself was incorporated in 1883, two years after the Wabash Coal & Mining Co. opened a mine shaft in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Communities, Prominent figures | Tagged | 1 Comment