Author Archives: editor

Savillah Hinrichsen, librarian and suffragist

Posted on June 12, 2021 by editor

When William “Buck” Hinrichsen took office as Illinois secretary of state in 1893, he appointed his sister, Savillah Hinrichsen, as assistant state librarian. The term “assistant,” however, was misleading – the secretary of state is also titularly the state librarian, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Prominent figures, State government, Women | Leave a comment

S.A. Barker Co.

Posted on June 5, 2021 by editor

Samuel A. Barker began his apparel career as a “bundle boy,” gathering discarded garments from shop floors for sorting and cleaning. He ended it as the owner of S.A. Barker Co., one of Springfield’s best-known women’s clothing stores. Barker (1885-1968) … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures | 4 Comments

Reed ‘Kid’ Waddell, international con man

Posted on June 1, 2021 by editor

Springfield’s Reed Waddell often gets credit for inventing the gold brick fraud. He probably was innocent, for once, of originating that particular swindle. But by the time he was shot to death – by a crony in Paris, France – … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement | 1 Comment

First women jurors

Posted on May 27, 2021 by editor

In January 1931, Grace Dye of Williamsville became the first woman eligible for jury duty in Sangamon County. But it would take eight years for most other women to enjoy the same right. The hiatus was thanks to the Illinois … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Local government, State government, Women | 1 Comment

Leroy Key, Andersonville hero

Posted on May 25, 2021 by editor

Leroy Key made his mark in history as a prisoner of war. Key died in Springfield in 1880, possibly because of aftereffects of the time he spent in the horrific Confederate prisoner-of-war camp at Andersonville, Ga., during the Civil War. … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Prominent figures | 4 Comments

Chinkapin Bridge

Posted on May 20, 2021 by editor

Update: The last Chinkapin Bridge collapsed, after more than 90 years, during the winter of 2024-25. Photo at bottom. A SangamonLink hat tip (and thanks) to reader Debra Hawpetoss, who notified us of the collapse and provided the photo. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Transportation | 8 Comments

Wife poisonings, 1941

Posted on May 16, 2021 by editor

When authorities suspected Carl Zubr had poisoned his second wife, they started to wonder about the death of his first wife too. The bodies of both women, it turned out, were laced with strychnine. Zubr (1902-67) was a mule driver … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement | 4 Comments

Engine House 5 (“the colored firehouse”)

Posted on May 12, 2021 by editor

Engine House 5, 1310 E. Adams St., was known as Springfield’s “colored firehouse” from its construction in 1901 until after its fire company moved to a new building in 1954. “The Springfield Fire Department routinely gave Five the worst of … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Buildings, Local government, Markers | Leave a comment

Palace Theatre

Posted on May 9, 2021 by editor

When the Palace Theatre opened at 1836 S. 15th St. in 1915, the “very pretty little house” became a venue where downtown movies were brought to Springfield’s southeast side. Despite its grand name, the theater was very small– about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Swabians, Theaters, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Bradfordton

Posted on May 6, 2021 by editor

Bradfordton owes its existence to a short-lived railroad and its name to a veteran of the War of 1812. Never an incorporated community, Bradfordton – on Illinois 97 (Jefferson Street extended) west of Springfield – originally was known as “Bradfordton … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Communities, Early residents, Fires, Prominent figures, Transportation | Leave a comment