Author Archives: editor

Covered bridges (Genealogy Trails information)

Posted on November 17, 2015 by editor

At least 30 covered bridge sites have been identified in Sangamon County, more than anywhere else in Illinois, according to an article posted on a family history web site, Genealogy Trails. The writer – Genealogy Trails contributors appear to all … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Transportation | Leave a comment

Spring Creek Covered Bridge fire, 1977

Posted on November 17, 2015 by editor

A covered bridge spanning Spring Creek west of Springfield was destroyed in what was thought to be an arson fire on Dec. 26, 1977. The bridge – known as the Spring Creek Covered Bridge, the Riddle Hill Bridge or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Transportation | 4 Comments

Frank C. Ewing Sr. & Jr. (murder, train derailment)

Posted on November 9, 2015 by editor

Frank Carlos Ewing Sr. was an inmate at the Menard State Penitentiary at the same time as his son, Frank Jr., in the 1960s. The elder Ewing had been convicted of the murders of his aunt and girlfriend; the son was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pawnee High School fire, 1958

Posted on November 8, 2015 by editor

Pawnee High School was demolished by a fire on Feb. 24, 1958, that was ignited by a student attempting to break into the school’s vault. Frank Carlos Ewing Jr., 15, admitted to Sangamon County sheriff’s investigators that he broke into … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Communities, Crime and vice, Disasters, Education, Law enforcement | 13 Comments

Divernon school photos, 1920s

Posted on November 8, 2015 by editor

The above photos of Divernon school students were provided by John Faber. Students’ identifications (except for a few relatives of Mr. Faber) are not available. Divernon opened its first school in 1887, but school enrollment began to jump after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Communities, Education, Photos and photosets, Schools and school districts | 1 Comment

The Muller blocks (Lenox Avenue from State to Price streets)

Posted on November 2, 2015 by editor

Construction contractor Lee Muller (1910-73) built the stone buildings that line the 700 and 800 blocks of West Lenox Avenue. The six buildings, all faced with Bedford stone, contain more than 30 rental units. The original showcase of the complex was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business | Leave a comment