Author Archives: editor

The Palace Hotel

Posted on March 21, 2020 by editor

In the late 1800s, Springfield’s Palace Hotel had a great location at Fourth and Washington streets, a half-block from the Chicago & Alton railroad station (today’s Amtrak station). For a while, the Palace was one of the city’s premier hostelries. … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

John Hancock, early poet

Posted on March 15, 2020 by editor

In at least one scholar’s opinion, Springfield storekeeper John Hancock was “the finest poet of the frontier, in not only Illinois but the entire Midwest.” See “Huyler’s Ghost,” a poem by “H.”, 1832. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

‘Huyler’s Ghost,’ a poem by ‘H.’,1832

Posted on March 15, 2020 by editor

“Huyler’s Ghost” is by an early Springfield poet whom scholar John Hallwas considers “the finest poet of the frontier, in not only Illinois but the entire Midwest.” The poet signed his works, which were printed in the Sangamo Journal from … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Arts and letters, Early residents, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Col. Henry Davis

Posted on March 8, 2020 by editor

Col. Henry Davis built the 18-room mansion that housed the Mary Bryant Home for 23 years. See Mary Bryant Home.

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Mary Bryant Home

Posted on March 8, 2020 by editor

The genesis of Springfield’s Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired was the meager life savings of a blind woman who understood the need for a safe home. Mary Bryant, born in Chicago in 1854, lost her sight … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Public health, Social services, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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