Author Archives: editor

Caldwell School, Chatham

Posted on February 7, 2017 by editor

Caldwell School was at Main and Walnut streets in Chatham from 1895 to 1964. See Ben F. Caldwell: politician, farmer, banker.

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Ben F. Caldwell: politician, farmer, banker

Posted on February 7, 2017 by editor

Ben Franklin Caldwell (1848-1924) was a member of Congress and the Illinois legislature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also was a farmer, banker and civic leader whose donations helped build schools in both Chatham and Thayer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Fires, Historic Sites, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts | 9 Comments

Edith Martin, teacher & heroine

Posted on February 7, 2017 by editor

Teacher Edith Martin may have saved 30 children by forcing them out a second-story window as flames consumed Thayer’s Caldwell School on Feb. 16, 1903. An Illinois State Register special correspondent described the rescues in a highly colored account published … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Children, Education, Fires, Schools and school districts | Leave a comment

Ridgely School fire, 1916

Posted on February 3, 2017 by editor

Regular fire drills were credited with saving the lives of an unknown number of children when Ridgely School caught fire in the middle of classes on Nov. 15, 1916. The blaze began when sparks from the school’s coal furnace flew … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Children, Disasters, Education, Fires, Schools and school districts | Leave a comment

Red Grange visits Springfield, 1928

Posted on February 1, 2017 by editor

Football great Red Grange faced an unpleasant welcome to Springfield when he accompanied runners to the city during the 1928 Transcontinental Foot Race.

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‘The Bunion Derby’ (1928)

Posted on February 1, 2017 by editor

Football star Red Grange received an unfriendly welcome when he accompanied the 1928 Trans-American Foot Race to Springfield in 1928. The race, better known as the “Bunion Derby,” was the brainchild of Grange’s agent, C.C. “Cash and Carry” Pyle (1882-1939). … Continue reading →

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Beach desegregation lawsuit, 1916

Posted on January 25, 2017 by editor

Black residents of Springfield filed suit after three African-American men were blocked from swimming at the new Bunn Park Beach shortly after it opened in 1916. Courts ultimately rejected the suit on technicalities. See Women’s bathing suit controversy, 1916.

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Bunn Park Beach

Posted on January 24, 2017 by editor

The Bunn Park Beach, Springfield’s first public beach, operated from 1916 until 1928. See Women’s bathing suit controversy, 1916.

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Harriett Reed, women’s rights activist

Posted on January 23, 2017 by editor

Harriett Reid was a suffragist, progressive and labor and civic activist in Springfield during the 1910s. Her application to become an workers’ compensation arbitrator with the Illinois Industrial Commission established the precedent that women could not be discriminated against in … Continue reading →

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Women’s bathing suit controversy, 1916

Posted on January 23, 2017 by editor

Springfield women’s rights activist Harriett Reid made fun of the Springfield Park Board’s 1916 directive that women’s swimsuits at the new Bunn Park Beach include skirts. The park board had voted 5-1 to impose the restriction, which was sponsored by … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Local government, Parks, Women | Leave a comment