Author Archives: editor

Seven children die in car/train accident, 1928

Posted on May 11, 2017 by editor

Seven young people – six siblings and a cousin – were killed on June 5, 1928, when the car they were in drove in front of a southbound Interurban train near Auburn. The car was traveling west on Divernon Road. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Disasters, Railroads, Transportation | 2 Comments

‘Deadman’s Crossing,’ 16th Street and Sangamon Avenue

Posted on May 10, 2017 by editor

The railroad intersection at 16th Street and Sangamon Avenue earned the nickname “Deadman’s Crossing” in the years before an underpass was built to route traffic below the train tracks. At least 16 people were killed at the crossing between 1903 … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Railroads, Transportation, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Lustron all-steel homes

Posted on May 8, 2017 by editor

More than 4,000 people viewed Springfield’s first all-steel Lustron home when it opened for public inspection on June 26, 1949. The demonstration home at 2255 S. College St. was the first of five that eventually were built in Springfield and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings | 13 Comments

Mother’s Day begins, 1910

Posted on May 5, 2017 by editor

A proclamation by Gov. Charles Deneen in 1910 made Illinois one of the first eight states to officially designate the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The idea had been first promoted by a Philadelphia woman, Anna Jarvis, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Family life, Women | Leave a comment

First African-American alderman

Posted on May 1, 2017 by editor

Frank B. Hicklin was the first African-American member of the Springfield City Council, serving from 1895 to 1897. See First African-American to hold public office. This entry has been corrected. 

Posted in African Americans | Leave a comment

Hicklin family (African-American activists, politicians)

Posted on May 1, 2017 by editor

Hezkiah Hicklin was the first African-American to hold public office in Sangamon County. His son, Frank Hicklin, was Springfield’s first black alderman. And Martha Hicklin, Hezkiah’s wife, played leading roles in local social and historical groups. See First African-American to … Continue reading →

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First African-American to hold public office

Posted on May 1, 2017 by editor

Springfield’s Hicklin family provided two of Sangamon County’s earliest successful black politicians, as well as leadership in the local civil rights and African-American history movements. Hezkiah Hicklin (1835-1904) was the first black person in the county to hold public office, … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Ethnic groups, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Catharine Bergen Jones, oldest woman voter, 1914

Posted on April 24, 2017 by editor

Catharine Bergen Jones cast her first vote (in support of liquor prohibition) in 1914, at age 97. Her obituary described her as one of “Springfield’s best known and most interesting characters.” See Women’s vote history, Sangamon County. This entry has … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Women register to vote, 1914

Posted on April 24, 2017 by editor

A massive outpouring of women added more than 10,000 names to Springfield voting rolls in a single day, March 17, 1914. It was the first time women were allowed to register to vote in local elections other than schools. See … Continue reading →

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Mary Morrison (woman school board member)

Posted on April 24, 2017 by editor

Mary Morrison was one of two women elected to the Springfield School Board in 1911. She and Ida Hanes were the first two women to serve on the board. See Women’s vote history, Sangamon County.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment