Category Archives: Architecture

James A. Stubbs masonry

Posted on April 19, 2014 by editor

James A. Stubbs (1864-1937) was a builder, brick and masonry contractor and landlord for 45 years in Springfield. His work was generally unmarked,  but many of his buildings still stand and are a distinctive part of the city’s fabric. Stubbs, … Continue reading →

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Central Illinois Public Service Co.

Posted on March 5, 2014 by editor

The utility company now part of the utility conglomerate Ameren Illinois was founded in Mattoon as an electric streetcar line in 1902. The firm eventually moved into other businesses — electric generation and distribution and delivery of  natural gas, water … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Business, Department stores, Depression, Industry | 6 Comments

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

Posted on December 13, 2013 by editor

The ornate Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built from 1920 to 1924, is the centerpiece of the motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis northeast of Springfield. See Franciscan Motherhouse.

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Franciscan Life Center (former Franciscan motherhouse)

Posted on December 12, 2013 by editor

The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis  operated a convent and church on a 300-acre site northeast of Springfield from 1917 until 2021. The order of Roman Catholic nuns, which began providing medical care in central Illinois in 1875, bought the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Churches, Public health, Social services, Women | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

Susan Lawrence Dana

Posted on November 16, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in July 2023. See “Hat tips” below. Susan Lawrence Dana (1862-1946) was a Springfield socialite, activist and philanthropist best known for commissioning architect Frank Lloyd Wright to transform her family’s Civil War-era home at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Museums, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, Social services, State government, Women | 2 Comments

Judge John Wickliffe Taylor House

Posted on November 9, 2013 by editor

The 20-room Judge John Taylor House built in 1857, housed the Home and Hospital for Fallen Women starting in 1868 and later the Ambidexter Institute, an “industrial school” primarily for African American boys. The Taylor home, 12th and Cass streets … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Architecture, Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Women | Tagged | Leave a comment

Aristocracy Hill neighborhood (Fever River)

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s Aristocracy Hill neighborhood, which takes in an area just south of downtown, is one of five areas of Springfield that have been exhaustively studied by Fever River Research of Springfield. The resulting reports  are extraordinarily informative historical and archaeological … Continue reading →

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Bolivia Road Bridge (National Register)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

The Bolivia Road Bridge over the North Fork of the Sangamon River, 20 miles southeast of Springfield,  connects Sangamon County with Christian County. Bolivia (pronounced in central Illinois as “Bolivee”) was an early community located along the road that connected … Continue reading →

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John Bressmer Co.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

The John W. Bressmer Co. was founded as a dry goods store in 1861 and later expanded into a full-fledged department store, selling men’s and women’s clothing, furniture and household items. With Myers Brothers, it was one of downtown Springfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Business, Department stores, Disasters, Historic Sites, National Register, Prominent figures | 15 Comments

Culver Marble and Stone Co.

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

The Culver Marble and Stone Co. and its offshoots, headed by Col. James S. Culver (1852-1911), were among the Springfield area’s most prominent builders from the early 1870s until 1912. As a contractor, the Culver firm was given credit for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Industry, Museums, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments