Author Archives: editor

Sangamon County Lithuanians in World War I

Posted on December 20, 2014 by editor

More than 50,000 Lithuanian-Americans fought for the United States in World War I. This remarkable number was later leveraged to lobby U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to recognize the newly independent Lithuanian state that emerged from the War’s aftermath. The vast … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Ethnic groups, Lithuanians, Military | 3 Comments

The Historic Preservation Association of Springfield

Posted on December 19, 2014 by editor

Note: This post has been revised by the author. By the middle 1980s, the preservation of historically and architecturally significant buildings had become the subject of growing attention in Springfield. This attention reflected national trends, as well as regret over … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Local government, National Register, Springfield | 3 Comments

Henry M. Lutz (Capital Airport, Franklin Life)

Posted on December 17, 2014 by editor

See Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

Posted in Prominent figures, Transportation | Leave a comment

Vito Impastato (restaurateur, organized crime suspect)

Posted on December 14, 2014 by editor

Vito Impastato, though often suspected of crimes including kidnapping, bank robbery and murder, built an enduring career as a restaurant operator in Springfield. His restaurants began in the 1930s with the Club Holiday, MacArthur Boulevard and North Grand Avenue. Later, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Uncategorized | Tagged Club Holiday, Orchid Lounge, Supper Club | 5 Comments

Frank Zito and the Zito brothers (organized crime)

Posted on December 14, 2014 by editor

Frank Zito, usually characterized as “Springfield’s godfather,” remains a fabled figure in the history of Springfield organized crime decades after his death. He attended the notorious Apalachin, N.Y., conference of Mafia chieftains, seriocomically invoked the Fifth Amendment before a Congressional … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Tagged Bootlegging, Charles Dawson, gambling, James De Rosa, Macoupin conspiracy, Modern Distributing, Skyrocket Inn, Springfield conspiracy, Supper Club, Vito Impastato | 71 Comments

Lincoln Tomb statuary (original)

Posted on November 18, 2014 by editor

This entry is a lightly edited version of a presentation given by Mark Johnson, historian for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, to the 2014 volunteer dinner hosted by the now-defunct Lincoln Monument Association, a non-profit support group for the Lincoln … Continue reading →