Author Archives: editor

Historical markers in Sangamon County

Posted on July 8, 2016 by editor

The Historical Marker Database lists 101 markers in Sangamon County. Most are part of the Looking for Lincoln and Lincoln Home marker series, but the database includes others as well. A check of a dozen marker descriptions  indicates the database’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites | 4 Comments

Noble Bates Wiggins (hotelier)

Posted on July 8, 2016 by editor

Noble Bates Wiggins (1841-1901) was one of the original managers and later owner of the Leland Hotel. See Leland Hotel.

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Leland Hotel

Posted on July 8, 2016 by editor

The Leland Hotel, on the northwest corner of Sixth Street and Capitol Avenue, played host to travelers, party-goers, celebrities and politicians for 103 years in Springfield. The hotel probably got its most extensive public notice when it served as national … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures | 6 Comments

Oldest home in Sangamon County

Posted on June 20, 2016 by editor

A log cabin built in 1823 by James Walters – now part of a larger farmhouse, but still standing – was identified in 2016 as the oldest home in Sangamon County. See Riddle Hill.

Posted in Buildings, Early residents | Leave a comment

Riddle Hill

Posted on June 20, 2016 by editor

Riddle Hill got its name in 1899, when farmers and other residents west of Springfield expected a proposed Springfield-to-Jacksonville electric railway to boost land prices in the area. The Illinois State Journal announced the creation of a new Riddle Hill … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Prominent figures, Transportation | 9 Comments

Williamsville United Methodist Church

Posted on June 17, 2016 by editor

A 2007 church history says Williamsville United Methodist Church can trace its history to “religious exercises” held in the area, probably by the Rev. Stephen England of Cantrall, in 1820. The area’s first Methodist Society was formed near Spaulding in … Continue reading →

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Charles Darwin letters, Illinois State Register (1914)

Posted on June 12, 2016 by editor

More than 50 years after Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, the Illinois State Register devoted seven full pages over the summer of 1914 to the continued controversy over Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The result was a verbose … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Media | Leave a comment

First Chinese residents

Posted on June 3, 2016 by editor

Springfield’s first Chinese residents probably were three laundrymen – identified as As-Sing, Sam-Sing and Chun-Lung – hired by John McCreery, proprietor of the St. Nicholas Hotel, in January 1873. The Illinois State Register reported on their arrival in an article … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethnic groups | Leave a comment

First Chinese restaurant

Posted on June 1, 2016 by editor

The Hong Fong Low, 729½ E. Washington St., dating from 1903,  probably was Springfield’s first Chinese restaurant. For more on early Chinese cafes, see Oriental Cafe.

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Jack Lum (‘hibernation therapy’)

Posted on June 1, 2016 by editor

Jack Lum, partner in Springfield’s Oriental Cafe’, underwent five days of “hibernation therapy” in 1939, in which he was rendered unconscious and packed in ice. It was unsuccessful. See Oriental Cafe’.

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