Author Archives: editor

Shadid’s Book Mart

Posted on October 11, 2020 by editor

Shadid’s Book Mart began business at 322 S. Sixth St. on Aug. 4, 1958, after Mitchell, Woodrow and Phillip Shadid bought out the stock of a defunct book store downtown. The brothers at first called their shop the “Mag & … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Prominent figures | 10 Comments

Stephen Douglas statue, Statehouse (removed)

Posted on October 5, 2020 by editor

See Dismantled statues, Statehouse lawn.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pierre Menard statue, Statehouse (removed)

Posted on October 5, 2020 by editor

See Dismantled statues, Statehouse lawn.

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Dismantled statues, Illinois Statehouse lawn

Posted on October 5, 2020 by editor

The statue of Pierre Menard that formerly stood on the Illinois Statehouse grounds was a gift from a citizen of Missouri. Was it a good likeness of Illinois’ first lieutenant governor? Nobody knows. The Menard statue, along with that of … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Markers, Politics, Presidential candidates, Prominent figures, State government, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Luann McDaniel, Valley Forge nurse

Posted on September 27, 2020 by editor

Of more than 50 Revolutionary War veterans thought to be buried in Sangamon County, Luann McDaniel is the only woman. According to family tradition, McDaniel (1759-1850) acted as a nurse at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. Her husband, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Markers, Military, Women | Leave a comment

Newcomer-Bell Mill

Posted on September 24, 2020 by editor

The Newcomer-Bell Mill was on Sugar Creek in Woodside Township, on a site that today is covered by Lake Springfield south of Lindsay Bridge. William Southwick (1805-83)purchased the property on Dec. 6, 1830 and formed a partnership with Armon Lathrop … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Industry, Mills | 5 Comments

Tourist camp, 1924

Posted on September 22, 2020 by editor

A camp to accommodate the new phenomenon of automobile tourism was set up in Springfield’s Douglas Park in 1924. See Founding of Douglas Park, 1921.

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Founding of Douglas (Duncan) Park, 1921

Posted on September 22, 2020 by editor

The Springfield Park Board bought the property that became Douglas Park (later Duncan Park) in September 1920, but there was a problem with developing the new land: the neighborhood stank.* The park district paid $20,000 to buy the 26-acre “Enos … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Parks, Public health | 4 Comments

Round Prairie tornado, 1883

Posted on September 18, 2020 by editor

Note: See correction below. A mother and her baby were among victims when a tornado surprised people living south and east of Springfield on May 18, 1883. At least four people died in Sangamon County because of the storm. Another … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Weather | 3 Comments

Lawrence Avenue fire, 1916

Posted on September 10, 2020 by editor

A quick-moving fire, compounded by misdirected fire engines, destroyed the south side of the 300 block of East Lawrence Avenue early Oct. 3, 1916. The blaze, the cause of which was never determined, started just before 4 a.m. in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Disasters, Fires | Leave a comment