Author Archives: editor

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

Hatcher automotive service fire, 1921

Posted on March 4, 2017 by editor

The Hatcher automobile dealerships, an outgrowth of the Johnston-Hatcher Co. home furnishings store, built a service facility in the 700 block of East Adams Street in 1920. It was demolished by fire the next year. See Johnston-Hatcher fires, 1907 & … Continue reading →

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Johnston-Hatcher fires, 1907 & 1913

Posted on March 4, 2017 by editor

The Johnston-Hatcher Co. sold home furnishings of all kinds from 1899 to 1949 in downtown Springfield. The store, however, fell victim to two of the city’s most devastating early 20th-century fires. Johnston-Hatcher was the creation of two sets of brothers … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Airport, Amusements, Auto dealers, Buildings, Business, Crime and vice, Disasters, Farming, Fires, Presidents, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Wolf Creek Mill

Posted on February 25, 2017 by editor

Wolf Creek Mill, also known as Constant’s Mill, was on Wolf Creek in Williams Township, about three and a half miles southeast of Williamsville. The 1881 History of Sangamon County, Illinois states the mill was built in 1825 by Thomas … Continue reading →

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