Author Archives: editor

The whipping post, 1828-37

Posted on June 21, 2017 by editor

A whipping post stood permanently on the northeast corner of Springfield’s public square from 1828 to 1837. It apparently was used infrequently, but often enough that whippings stuck in the minds of those who saw them. The post – which … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Early residents, Illinois capital, Law enforcement, Local government, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

John S. Condell memoir, 1840s

Posted on June 18, 2017 by editor

John S. Condell Sr. (1818-1907), born in Ireland, arrived in Springfield by way of Philadelphia and Carrollton in 1841. Condell was one of Springfield’s pioneer merchants, operating stores on the downtown square for more than 40 years. One of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Historic Sites, Histories, Prominent figures, Social life | 5 Comments

Sangamon College (Pleasant Plains)

Posted on June 13, 2017 by editor

Sangamon College was a short-lived venture created in Pleasant Plains by educators John L. Scott and Hugh M. Curry with the help of a dozen local investors. Most of the financial backers were from the Pleasant Plains area, but they … Continue reading →

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Springfield park names

Posted on June 10, 2017 by editor

Parks in the Springfield Park District have taken their names from U.S. presidents, local pioneers, subdivisions, donors and others. Here is a list of parks and their name derivations as of summer 2017. Bergen. 2900 Clear Lake Ave. The Springfield … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Early residents, Parks, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | 1 Comment

First auto-related fatality, 1906

Posted on June 1, 2017 by editor

Raymond Livingston, age 6, was trying to dodge an oncoming automobile when he was run over by a Springfield street car on April 29, 1906. See Springfield traffic rules, 1903.

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Springfield traffic rules, 1903

Posted on June 1, 2017 by editor

Springfield officials enacted the city’s first ordinance regulating automobiles in 1903, only three years after motorcars were introduced to the city. The rules went into effect on Dec. 3, 1903. The ordinance set a speed limit of 12 miles per … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Springfield, Transportation | Leave a comment

Last Springfield street car, 1938 (photos)

Posted on May 26, 2017 by editor

The last Springfield street car ran on the North Fifth Street route the evening of Jan. 1, 1938, leaving city streets thereafter to automobiles and Springfield Transportation Co. buses. The North Fifth street car went from Fifth and Monroe streets … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos and photosets, Transportation | Leave a comment

Train robbery, 1912

Posted on May 23, 2017 by editor

Two robbers stopped the Chicago & Alton “Hummer,” bound for St. Louis, south of Iles Junction on Christmas Eve 1912. After failing to blast open the baggage car safe, they  fled when police arrived. Authorities indicted Elmer Vigas and Jack … Continue reading →

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Mail robbery, 1923, ‘most daring ever’

Posted on May 22, 2017 by editor

Ten men eventually went to prison for a 1923 mail robbery the Illinois State Journal called “the most daring ever staged in this city.” The gang struck at 1:20 a.m. April 1, 1923, at the Chicago & Alton railway station … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Railroads, Transportation | 10 Comments

Streetcar robberies, 1922

Posted on May 16, 2017 by editor

A rash of streetcar stickups culminated in 1922 with the shootings, one fatal, of two car operators. A.D. Mackie, general manager of the Springfield Consolidated Railway Co., responded to the first shooting by offering a reward for apprehension of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Transportation | Leave a comment