Author Archives: editor

The J.C. Ayling kite factory

Posted on October 23, 2015 by editor

The J.C. Ayling Kite Co., which got its start in a backyard shed on North Seventh Street, manufactured millions of Jolly Boy kites in Springfield from 1911 until the 1940s. The key to the company’s success was an innovation developed … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Children, Industry | 2 Comments

Springfield fire alarm boxes, 1912 (photos)

Posted on October 20, 2015 by editor

The 1912 Central Union Telephone Co. directory included this handy list of fire alarm locations. The directory also prominently asked residents not to call the phone company to find out the location of a fire, as that “seriously interferes with … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government | 2 Comments

Illinois State Informer (newspaper)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by editor

The Illinois State Informer was a weekly newspaper founded by Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew, a nationally prominent black physician, in the mid-1930s in Springfield. Kenniebrew (1875-1943), a graduate of Tuskegee Institute and close friend of Tuskegee founder Booker T. Washington, had moved to … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts and letters, Ethnic groups, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew (physician)

Posted on October 14, 2015 by editor

Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew lived and died in Springfield, and his wife later became one of the most honored Springfieldians of her generation. His most notable achievements as a pioneering African-American physician, however, were accomplished elsewhere. Kenniebrew (1875-1943) founded the world’s … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, First Citizens, Medicine, Prominent figures, Women | 2 Comments

Tuxhorn garage and towing

Posted on October 12, 2015 by editor

John Tuxhorn Sr. (1885-1953) opened his Tuxhorn Garage at 1158 N. Sixth St. in 1919, but it wasn’t until the early 1940s that John Jr. added towing service – and, a decade later, began painting his tow trucks bright pink. … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Transportation | Leave a comment

‘Lawsonomy’ in Springfield

Posted on October 8, 2015 by editor

Lawsonomy was the general term for a system of philosophy, physics and economics created and promoted by an ex-baseball player and aircraft developer named Alfred W. Lawson (1869-1954). Lawsonomy’s political and economic offshoot was the Direct Credits Society, which, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Depression, Photos and photosets, Politics | Leave a comment

Telephone service begins, 1878

Posted on October 6, 2015 by editor

This entry has been updated and expanded. The first telephone conversation in Springfield took place on Feb. 28, 1878, over a line between the city office of Western Union, Sixth and Monroe streets, and the company’s branch office at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | 4 Comments

‘First flash of lightning’: Telegraph reaches Springfield

Posted on September 29, 2015 by editor

Edited to add Hat Tip (see below) In 1848, only four years after Samuel F.B. Morse famously sent the message “What hath God wrought!,” Springfield became linked to the rest of the world via telegraph. The Illinois State Journal’s story … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Media | 2 Comments

Nude swimming banned, 1921

Posted on September 28, 2015 by editor

Springfield Park District officials resorted to a police guard and at least one arrest to keep boys from swimming nude in a Lincoln Park pond in 1921. Officials warned the pond would be closed and drained if swimmers didn’t wear … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Children, Law enforcement, Local government | 1 Comment

Miss Nellie Hughes (librarian)

Posted on September 22, 2015 by editor

Miss Nellie Hughes was librarian at Lincoln Library’s North Branch from its founding in 1926 until her retirement in 1972. See North Side State Bank collapse, 1927.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment