Author Archives: editor

First women lawyers

Posted on March 7, 2023 by editor

Erma Garrison Templeman was the first woman to practice law in Sangamon County. She wasn’t, however, the first to pass the bar exam; at least two other women beat her to that distinction. All three had noteworthy life stories, good … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Women | 1 Comment

‘The Great Klaholt robbery’, 1883

Posted on February 28, 2023 by editor

One hundred-forty years ago this week, “adroit cracksmen” made away – briefly – with what probably is the most lucrative burglary haul in Springfield history. The theft was carefully planned. The getaway, apparently, was not. The theft took place in … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bell Miller, businesswoman

Posted on February 24, 2023 by editor

Bell Miller was only 22 in 1892, when she opened a small flower shop at her home on South Second Street. One greenhouse soon grew to seven, covering the area around First and Canedy Streets. The Illinois State Journal took … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Hotels & taverns, National Register, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

Frank Zito’s Leavenworth prison record

Posted on February 14, 2023 by editor

Most photographs of Frank Zito, Springfield’s so-called “godfather” of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, show him as an older man, vaguely grandfather-ish in a homburg. The mug shots taken when Zito, then about 40, entered the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Susan Lawrence’s secret marriage

Posted on February 8, 2023 by editor

Susan Lawrence Dana and Lawrence Joergen-Dahl married secretly on March 19, 1912.  It took another two months for Springfield to become aware of the wedding. The marriage was certainly a love match for Dana (1862-1946), the wealthy socialite who a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Robert Preston Taylor (Lincoln College of Law, Illinois State Museum)

Posted on February 1, 2023 by editor

By one measurement, Robert Preston Taylor (1876-1951) goes into history as the first African-American graduate of the old Lincoln College of Law in Springfield. But that would ignore Taylor’s more significant achievement: bringing to life exhibits at the Illinois State … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Higher education, Museums, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Butchers vs. the ‘blue law’ (1916)

Posted on January 29, 2023 by editor

Springfield’s Sunday “blue law” was more than 40 years old in 1916. That’s when a group of suburban butchers decided the law should actually be enforced. As the dispute developed, Springfield police that March hauled in 15 businessmen, including seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Labor unions, Law enforcement, Local government, Springfield, Theaters | Leave a comment

First snowplow (1918)

Posted on December 30, 2022 by editor

Springfield’s first motorized snowplow arrived five days late. A massive blizzard, carrying heavy snow, powerful winds and temperatures as low as 20 below, struck the city on Friday, Jan. 11, 1918. Springfield already was under a blanket of snow, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Local government, Transportation, Weather | Leave a comment

Riverton High School boys basketball, 1949-50

Posted on December 13, 2022 by editor

Frank Santarelli assembled what turned out to be a great Riverton boys basketball team on a cold November afternoon in 1949. Santarelli, himself a Riverton alumnus, coached the Hawks from 1935 through 1942 and 1946 through 1957. The 1949-50 team … Continue reading →

Posted in Prominent figures, Sports and recreation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Roberts Brothers (men’s clothing)

Posted on December 11, 2022 by editor

In the cold, early morning hours of December 12, 1974, smoke billowed from the roof of Roberts Brothers clothing store in downtown Springfield. A fire had started on the second floor, and the Springfield Fire Department was alerted when a … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures | 6 Comments