Author Archives: editor

Tree-sitting fad, 1930

Posted on April 3, 2017 by editor

Endurance tree-sitting – climbing trees and staying in them as long as possible – captivated Springfield youngsters, and amused newspaper readers, for several weeks in mid-1930. The local tree-sitters were part of a brief nationwide craze for the stunt. “Long … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Children, Spectacles | 3 Comments

Fourth Presbyterian Church

Posted on March 23, 2017 by editor

Fourth Presbyterian Church at Seventh and Reynolds streets was created in 1908 as a Portuguese congregation. It ultimately merged with what is now Clementine Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St. See Portuguese immigrants.

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Rev. Robert Kieser (Fourth Presbyterian Church)

Posted on March 22, 2017 by editor

Robert Kieser was pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Seventh and Reynolds streets, from 1948 to 1959. See Portuguese immigrants.

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David Beam (farmer, miller, politician)

Posted on March 19, 2017 by editor

David Beam built a house in Cotton Hill Township, southeast of Springfield, in the 1830s that later became entangled in the debate over whether to build Hunter Lake as a backup water supply to Lake Springfield. See Pensacola.

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Pensacola

Posted on March 19, 2017 by editor

“Pensacola” was the name given to a tiny, unincorporated community in Cotton Hill Township, southeast of Springfield, in the 1800s. The area is designated for inundation if and when Hunter Lake is ever created as a backup water source for … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Early residents, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Mills, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Sangamo Electric meter chronology

Posted on March 13, 2017 by editor

The six images below give the serial numbers of watthour meters (singlephase and polyphase), mechanical and thermal demand meters, and instrument transformers manufactured by Sangamo Electric  and the years (between 1930 and 1981) they were manufactured. Collectors and people still … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Resources | 8 Comments

J.H. Collins, school superintendent

Posted on March 10, 2017 by editor

J.H. Collins served as Springfield school superintendent from 1888 to 1905 and from 1907 to 1913, a total of 23 years. He remains the local school-district’s longest serving superintendent. See Lincoln Library’s grandfather clock for more.

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Lincoln Library’s grandfather clock

Posted on March 10, 2017 by editor

The nine-foot-tall grandfather clock that sits on the first floor of Lincoln Library was given to the library in 1936 by the widow of former Springfield School Superintendent J.H. Collins. Collins, according to a bookmark available at the library that … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts | 5 Comments

Springfield school superintendents (list)

Posted on March 10, 2017 by editor

For a list of Springfield school superintendents, see Education beginnings in Springfield.

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‘Waiting for Maud,’ Oak Hill Cemetery

Posted on March 6, 2017 by editor

A gravestone at Oak Hill Cemetery east of Springfield pays tribute to a dog that, according to folklore, never recovered from the death of its young owner. Maud Rodgers, who lived with her parents in the Riverton/Clear Lake area, died … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | 10 Comments