Author Archives: editor

Lincoln sculpture, Illinois State Fairgrounds

Posted on August 13, 2017 by editor

The 30-foot-tall fiberglass statue of Abraham Lincoln inside the Main Gate of the Illinois State Fairgrounds was created in 1967 by department store window designer Carl Rinnus. See Carl Rinnus, popular sculpture.

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Carl Rinnus, popular sculpture

Posted on August 13, 2017 by editor

Carl Rinnus (1912-93) is best known as the sculptor/fabricator of the giant fiberglass statue of Abraham Lincoln that stands just inside the Main Gate at the Illinois State Fair. He also created another locally famous piece of Springfield sculpture, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Department stores, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

Stephen T. Logan (Lincoln law partner)

Posted on August 9, 2017 by editor

Springfield had more than its share of star lawyers – Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas and others – in the 1830s and ‘40s. But everybody agreed the best trial lawyer on the circuit was a short, cranky Kentucky native named … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Hangings in Sangamon County, 1826-1927

Posted on July 31, 2017 by editor

  Sangamon County put to death seven men, all convicted of murder, between 1826, five years after the county was established, and 1927, when a new state law required executions to be carried out in state prisons. Those hanged were: … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Sangamon County | Leave a comment

Sarah Smith Woodruff, first woman bicyclist

Posted on July 25, 2017 by editor

Sarah “Sadie” Smith Woodruff is considered the first woman to ride a bicycle, in 1888, in Springfield. See Brainerd Hill (West Lawrence Avenue).

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Capital City Cycling Club

Posted on July 25, 2017 by editor

The Capital City Cycling Club sponsored bicycle competitions, recreational rides and other activities from 1887 until the early 1920s. See Brainerd Hill (West Lawrence Avenue).

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Brainerd Hill (West Lawrence Avenue)

Posted on July 23, 2017 by editor

Brainerd Hill, now Springfield’s favorite sledding spot, once was the ultimate challenge for the city’s competitive bicycle community. Springfield “wheelmen” organized the Capital City Cycling Club in the fall of 1887 to sponsor a variety of bicycling events, foster competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Parks, Prominent figures, Social life, Sports and recreation, Transportation, Women | 3 Comments

‘Murder by abortion,’ 1946

Posted on July 17, 2017 by editor

A Springfield osteopath was convicted of murder after allegedly conducting an abortion that led to the death of a 19-year-old woman in 1946. Ronald U. Tilley (1897-1966) was sentenced to 18 years in prison, but the Illinois Supreme Court overturned … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

The Mill, tavern and restaurant

Posted on July 12, 2017 by editor

The Mill, 906 N. 15th St., was one of Springfield’s most popular dining spots for nearly 40 years. Brothers Herman (1897-1980) and Louis Cohen (1893-1962) opened the tavern and restaurant in May 1933 on the same corner where they had … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Fires, Hotels & taverns, Restaurants, Social life, Uncategorized | 26 Comments

Springfield manufacturers and professions, 1869

Posted on July 5, 2017 by editor

The Jan. 4, 1869 edition of the Illinois State Journal included a section headlined “Our City: Its Population and Progress” that recorded a wide range of economic statistics. Here is some of what the Journal reported. Few even of our … Continue reading →

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