Author Archives: editor

“Sangamon”: Origin of the name

Posted on March 25, 2013 by editor

Sangamon County was named after the Sangamon River, which winds through the county from the east to northwest. For its part, the river apparently got its name from an early French explorer, the Jesuit priest Father Pierre Charlevoix, who traveled … Continue reading →

Posted in Sangamon County | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Sangamon County, founding of

Posted on March 22, 2013 by editor

Sangamon County was created by an act of the Illinois General Assembly on Jan. 30, 1821. It was subdivided from Madison and Bond counties and at the time was one of only 33 counties in the state (there are now … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Communities, Local government, Sangamon County | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Wigwam

Posted on March 21, 2013 by editor

In 1860, members of the Republican Party held conventions and party rallies in buildings they called “wigwams” all over the North. Illinois Republicans proposed Abraham Lincoln for president in the Decatur Wigwam, and the National Republican Convention nominated Lincoln in the … Continue reading →

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Illinois State Arsenal (1855)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by editor

In 1855, the state of Illinois built an arsenal at 424-26 N. Fifth St., on the east side of Fifth Street between Mason and Carpenter streets. The smallish rectangular brick building, built in the Greek Revival style with a pediment on … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Presidents, State government | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Church of the Immaculate Conception (‘Old St. Mary’s’)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by editor

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic parish church that stood at the northeast corner of Seventh and Monroe streets from 1858 until 1952, should not be confused with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which became the episcopal … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches | Tagged | 13 Comments

Historic sites of Springfield

Posted on March 18, 2013 by editor

The Historic Sites Commission of Springfield has designated 66 buildings as having local historic significance. The commission’s primary goal is to increase awareness of the need for historic preservation, although designation as a historic site can also be helpful in obtaining economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Local government | 2 Comments

Springfield, origin of

Posted on March 18, 2013 by editor

Whether or not Elisha Kelley was the first resident of the area that later became Springfield, the “Kelley cabins,” occupied by Elisha, John and Henry Kelley and others, were the heart of early Springfield. Even though their settlement was tiny, nowhere … Continue reading →

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Aetna Foundry and Machine Shops

Posted on March 18, 2013 by editor

The Aetna Foundry and Machine Shops, established in 1848 by a partnership named Lowry, Lamb & Co., operated for most of its existence at the southwest corner of Second and Adams streets in Springfield. John C. Lamb became sole owner in 1855. … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Coal mines and mining, Industry | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Donner Party: Emigrant tragedy

Posted on March 18, 2013 by editor

The Donner Party left Springfield to emigrate to California in mid-April 1846 but became stranded in deep snow near present-day Truckee, Calif. The group’s experience is remembered primarily because, before the surviving members of the expedition were rescued, some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Early residents, Markers, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Certificates of Freedom

Posted on March 18, 2013 by editor

Many early black residents of Sangamon County were former slaves. Below are some of the certificates of freedom they were issued by their former owners or, in some cases, by judicial action. Note that Phoebe “Feba” Rountree Fleurville referred to … Continue reading →

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