Author Archives: editor

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

WTAX radio

Posted on October 30, 2015 by editor

WTAX radio moved from Streator to Springfield in 1930. See Radio beginnings in Springfield.

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WCBS/WCVS radio

Posted on October 30, 2015 by editor

WCBS was Springfield’s first permanent radio station. See Radio beginnings in Springfield.

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Charles Messter, radio pioneer

Posted on October 30, 2015 by editor

Charles Messter was a co-founder of WCBS, Springfield’s first permanent radio station. See Radio beginnings in Springfield.

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Harold Dewing, radio pioneer

Posted on October 30, 2015 by editor

Harold Dewing was a co-founder of WCBS, Springfield’s first permanent radio station. See Radio beginnings in Springfield. 

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Radio beginnings in Springfield

Posted on October 30, 2015 by editor

Two boyhood friends turned radio pioneers brought Springfield its first permanent radio station in 1926. That station, whose original call letters were WCBS, broadcast its first program, a test featuring Alfred Blankschen, organist at Springfield’s Lyric Theater, on Dec. 10, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Media, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

Measles vaccinations, 1966 (photo)

Posted on October 27, 2015 by editor

In February 1966, Illinois Department of Public Health officials predicted a major measles outbreak unless local agencies set up crash immunization programs. “We will have a severe epidemic with deaths and encephalitis … unless there is widespread use of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Illustrations, Medicine, Public health, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Jolly Boy kites

Posted on October 23, 2015 by editor

Millions of Jolly Boy kites, manufactured by the J.C. Ayling Kite Co. in Springfield, were sold between about 1911 and the early 1940s. See J.C. Ayling Kite Co.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments