Category Archives: Amusements

Helen Dodge Edwards (obituary)

Posted on December 22, 2014 by editor

The Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society for April 1909 to January 1910 included an obituary of Helen Kissick Dodge Edwards (1819-1909), widow of Benjamin Edwards, matriarch of Edwards Place and, as the obituary says, “the ideal of an … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Early residents, Prominent figures, Social life, Women | Leave a comment

Wedding customs before the Civil War

Posted on July 28, 2014 by editor

Pre-Civil War weddings in Sangamon County had their peculiarities, often including macaroon pyramids and very early starting times, as Caroline Owsley Brown remembered in 1914. Here are Brown’s descriptions of some of those weddings. Eliza Barret/P.C. Johnson Miss Eliza Barret’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Celebrations, Early residents, Family life, Histories, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Women’s literary clubs

Posted on July 14, 2014 by editor

The literary club movement began early in the 19th century as a consequence of the Industrial Revolution. The first recorded occurrence was a lecture series started in Milbury, Mass., in 1826. By 1834, 3,000 groups had been organized to listen … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Arts and letters, Lindsay, Vachel, Prominent figures, Social services, Springfield Survey, Women | 4 Comments

Clear Lake

Posted on June 28, 2014 by editor

When most Sangamon County residents hear the name “Clear Lake,” they think of the avenue or township. However, the body of water that gave these places their names has a rich history all its own. Clear Lake itself is about … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Communities, Local government, Military, Parks, Sangamon River, Sports and recreation | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Cara-Sel Lounge

Posted on June 27, 2014 by editor

One of the more colorful Lithuanian-American businesses in Springfield was the Cara-Sel Lounge, Seventh Street and North Grand Ave, operated for 17 years by Tony and Carol Yuscius. Tony (1923-2009) was the son of Lithuanian-born Joseph and Marcella (Radavich) Yuscius. … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Coal mines and mining, Ethnic groups, Hotels & taverns, Lithuanians, Restaurants | 2 Comments

The Sugar Bowl restaurants

Posted on November 14, 2013 by editor

Springfield had two Sugar Bowl restaurants, both on South Grand Avenue, which between them lasted from 1919 to 1959. Teddy Gray (1892-1977) was the main operator of the 11th Street and South Grand Sugar Bowl, while Alex Karon (1893-1972) was primarily identified … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Ethnic groups, Greeks, Restaurants, Transportation | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bridgeview Beach, 1942 (photo)

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Beaches at Lake Springfield were segregated until 1952. The Lake Springfield Beach, near Lindsay Bridge, was open only to whites. African-Americans were restricted to using Bridgevew Beach, which was on the south side of the lake. Utilities Com. John Hunter … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Local government, Sports and recreation | 7 Comments

Chatterton Opera House

Posted on October 30, 2013 by editor

The Chatterton Opera House at the southeast corner of Sixth and Jefferson streets was for nearly a half-century Springfield’s principal venue for stage entertainments of all kinds, and a major stop for national touring companies, recitalists, and speakers. The theater … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Prominent figures, Spectacles, Theaters | 5 Comments

Cook’s Hall

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Cook’s Hall, at 122 S. Sixth St. on the east side of the downtown square, was Springfield’s main venue for meetings, speeches and entertainment from 1858 to 1863. It was also known as Illiopolitan Hall. Abraham Lincoln spoke there a … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Lincoln, Abraham, Sports and recreation | Leave a comment

Desegregation of the Illinois State Armory

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Springfield journalist and activist Simeon Osby  (1909-93) was among a group of African Americans who forced indifferent white officials to open all seating areas in the Illinois State Armory to anyone. Previously, blacks had been relegated to upper areas of … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Buildings, Ethnic groups, Journalism, Local government, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment