Category Archives: Buildings

Cornelius Flagg Farmstead, Sherman

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

                                                  Flagg Farmstead, 2013 (SCHS photo) The Flagg Farmstead , 500 Old Tipton Road in Sherman … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Buildings, Business, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, National Register, Prominent figures, Railroads | Leave a comment

Gottschalk Grocery

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

“The name Gottschalk has been synonymous in Springfield with quality foods,” the Illinois State Register proclaimed in 1924, when Gottschalk’s grocery celebrated 35 years in business at College Avenue and Edwards Street. At the time, in addition to basic staples, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Grocery markets, Historic Sites, National Register | 8 Comments

Franklin Life Insurance Co.

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Founded in 1884, the Franklin Life Insurance Co. remained an important force in Springfield’s economy into the 21st century. Franklin Life was founded  by a half-dozen central Illinois residents in 1884. They pledged to offer up to $3,000 in insurance … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, First Citizens, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 115 Comments

The Globe Tavern, 1886 (photo)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

The newlywed Abraham and Mary Lincoln rented a room in The Globe Tavern, 315 E. Adams St., from November 1842 until the next fall. Their oldest son Robert was born there. The photo above, from 1886, shows only a portion … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Hotels & taverns, Lincoln, Abraham, Presidents | Tagged | 2 Comments

Grace Lutheran Church

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Springfield was formally organized in the home of the Rev. Francis Springer on Sept. 19, 1841. Springer, who was born in Pennsylvania, had arrived in Springfield with his wife and daughter in May of 1839, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Churches, Early residents, Lincoln Home, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged | 3 Comments

Groves

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Groves of mature hardwood trees figured frequently in the history of Sangamon County. Robert Pulliam, considered the first European inhabitant of  the county, set up his first encampment in a grove of sugar maples on what became known as Sugar … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Parks, Prehistory, Soil | Leave a comment

Hickox Apartments

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

The Hickox Apartments, built at Fourth and Cook streets beginning in the mid-1920s, are a five-building, 100-unit complex that “brought social respectability to apartment living” in Springfield, according to Fever River Research’s 2003 study of the Aristocracy Hill neighborhood. Builder … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Fever River | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Home and Hospital for Fallen Women

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

The Home and Hospital for Fallen Women opened in 1868 at 902 S. 12th St., a building known generally as the Judge John Taylor House. The purpose of the Home and Hospital was described in 1871 in a pious, and … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Buildings, Children, Education, Historic Sites | Leave a comment

Dr. Thomas Houghan

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Dr. Thomas Houghan (??-1862) built the Springfield home now known as Edwards Place in 1833. He sold it to Benjamin Edwards in 1843. Houghan was one of the first 10 physicians in Springfield and played a prominent role in local … Continue reading →

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Elijah Iles House

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

The house pioneer merchant Elijah Iles is thought to have had built for his family near Sixth and Cook streets in the 1830s* now is a museum and display place for exhibits focused on Springfield history. Both Abraham Lincoln and … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Museums | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment