Author Archives: editor

Earle Baker Perce, Antarctic explorer

Posted on February 24, 2020 by editor

Perce Point, a headland on an island on the west edge of Antarctica, commemorates a Williamsville man’s role in exploring some of the last unknown places on earth. Earle Baker Perce (1910-68) was a U.S. Navy radioman and pilot when … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Military, Prominent figures, Science | Leave a comment

The Kohlrus family

Posted on February 16, 2020 by editor

Josef Kohlrus and his sons operated Kohlrus & Sons grocery, later succeeded by Kohlrus Catering, at 1512 N. 15th St. from the 1930s until 1968. See Danube Swabians in Sangamon County.

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Danube Swabians in Sangamon County

Posted on February 16, 2020 by editor

In February 1903, the SS Pennland docked at Philadelphia, offloading scores of immigrants. One of the newcomers walking off the ship that day was Josef Kohlrus, a 31-year-old miner from Central Hungary.  With $14 in his pocket, Josef’s final destination … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Swabians | 21 Comments

Coe’s Book Store

Posted on February 6, 2020 by editor

In 1898, brothers Louis and Harry Coe, together with Ward Carter, organized Coe, Carter and Coe, a retail book and stationery store on the northeast corner of Fifth and Monroe streets. The business, at two different addresses and under three … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Prominent figures | 8 Comments

Broadwell’s building

Posted on January 30, 2020 by editor

This entry has been edited to correct information in a photo caption. The building on the northwest corner of Fifth and Washington streets in Springfield was a drugstore for about 125 years. While that tradition ended in 1981, the old … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Historic Sites, Medicine, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Elijah E. Myers, architect

Posted on January 24, 2020 by editor

Elijah E. Myers, who began his career in Springfield, was one of America’s foremost architects of the late 19th century. He also was one of the least reputable. See Brinkerhoff Home. 

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Brinkerhoff Home

Posted on January 24, 2020 by editor

The Brinkerhoff Home at Fifth Street and Keys Avenue was designed in the 1860s by Elijah E. Myers, who would go on to be one of 19th-century America’s best known, and least reputable, architects. The three-story, red brick mansion at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, National Register, Prominent figures | 10 Comments

Polio quarantine, 1949

Posted on January 6, 2020 by editor

In July 1949, with a polio epidemic under way, Springfield officials ordered children under 16 years old into quarantine – confined, with few exceptions, to their own backyards. Hours later, 4-year-old Thomas Suttle died of polio. The boy was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Local government, Medicine, Public health | 9 Comments

Illinois High School Association state champions (individual)

Posted on January 1, 2020 by editor

The first Sangamon County youth to be named state champion in any sport was Springfield High School student Frank Bogardus (1874-1931), who won the “drop foot ball kick” at Illinois’ first statewide track meet in May 1893. His kick traveled … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools and school districts, Sports and recreation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Year’s news, 1920

Posted on December 30, 2019 by editor

Good news dominated Springfield newspapers on New Year’s Day 1920. The pages of the Illinois State Journal and Illinois State Register were full of predictions about the year to come. Businesspeople were optimistic. Among those the Register quoted was Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Celebrations, Crime and vice, Prominent figures, Public health, Social life | Leave a comment