Author Archives: editor

Hotel Silas

Posted on September 1, 2016 by editor

The Silas Hotel opened in 1897 at 113 N. Fourth St. See Dineen family (hoteliers).

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Palmer Hotel

Posted on September 1, 2016 by editor

The Palmer Hotel was at 429 E. Jefferson St. from 1927 to 1979. See Dineen family (hoteliers). 

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Dineen family (hoteliers)

Posted on September 1, 2016 by editor

When Robert Dineen died in 1970, his obituary stated he had been an owner of the Palmer Hotel and the Illinois Hotel in downtown Springfield. Although not mentioned in the obituary, he also was the past president and a founding … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Downtown business map, 1913

Posted on August 19, 2016 by editor

The Oct. 7 and 8, 1913, editions of the Illinois State Register, published during the Illinois State Fair (then held in the fall) included a map of the area surrounding Springfield’s courthouse square that showed many of the city’s downtown … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Illustrations, Maps | 8 Comments

Olympics gold-medal winners from Sangamon County  

Posted on August 16, 2016 by editor

Olympics gold-medal winners from Sangamon County through 2016, as listed on Wikpedia, were: Ryan Held, Springfield: Men’s 4×100 freestyle relay (swimming), 2016. Graduate of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Andre Iguodala, Springfield: Basketball, 2012. Graduate of Lanphier High School, MVP of … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | 4 Comments

Alice Gilliland (Royal Neighbors of America)

Posted on August 14, 2016 by editor

Alice Gilliland (1863-1926) helped found the Royal Neighbors of America, the first “fraternal” benefit society to offer life insurance to women, and rose to become the group’s Supreme Oracle, its top post. Gilliland, who was among the first 500 members … Continue reading →

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‘The Badlands’

Posted on August 7, 2016 by editor

For a brief description of “the Badlands,” a residential and commercial neighborhood northeast of downtown Springfield that housed a number of saloons and bawdy houses at the turn of the 20th century, see “Cocaine Alley.” 

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‘The Levee’

Posted on August 7, 2016 by editor

For a brief description of “the Levee,” Springfield’s historic downtown vice district, see “Cocaine Alley.” 

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‘Shinbone Alley’

Posted on August 7, 2016 by editor

“Shinbone Alley” was the nickname for the 900 blocks of East Mason and East Monroe streets around the turn of the 20th century. See “Cocaine Alley.”

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‘Cocaine Alley’ (1899-1903)

Posted on August 7, 2016 by editor

Note: This entry is based on research done by Floyd Mansberger and Christopher Stratton of Fever River Research for the city of Springfield and Federal Railroad Administration in connection with the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. Their full 358-page report, published … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Local government, Public health, Race riot of 1908, Social life | 4 Comments