Category Archives: Business

Pawnee Railroad

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

As railroads became vital to community development in the late 19th century, Pawnee farmers and businessmen took the unusual step of financing and building their own rail link. The line originally ran west from Pawnee to connect to the north-south … Continue reading →

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Pillsbury Mills

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in 2021 and slightly updated in 2022. 2025 note: With demolition under way, the Pillsbury Project issued its own 128-page history of the Springfield plant, along with documentation of the plant’s buildings and processes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry | Tagged | 33 Comments

Reisch Brewing Co.

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Update: Under prodding from Springfield breweriana collector Daryl Ponder, a non-profit group, Reisch Charities, resurrected the Reisch Brewing Co.’s flagship brand, Reisch Gold Top Beer, in 2019. The new Gold Top, brewed by younger Reisches from the original family recipe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business, Fever River, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 5 Comments

George Reisch discusses Prohibition

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

George Reisch (1846-1936), a son of Franz Sales Reisch, founder of the Reisch Brewing Co., helped find ways to continue the business during Prohibition, making flavored soda water and malt syrup. But his opinion on banning alcoholic beverages was clear: … Continue reading →

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Retail Grocers Association

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Retail Grocers Association was formed in 1894. See “Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.”  

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Retail Merchants Association

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Retail Merchants Association was formed in 1898. See “Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.”

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Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce can trace its origins through a web of predecessor groups, starting in 1869 with formation of the city’s first commercial organization, the Springfield Board of Trade. That group lasted only a few years, but … Continue reading →

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Sangamo Electric Co.

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Editor’s note to readers: We regularly receive technical questions about old Sangamo Electric meters — they obviously were so well made that they practically last forever. Luckily, two readers have responded to some of those questions. (See comments below.) We greatly … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , | 119 Comments

Hummer Manufacturing Co.

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Operating under a variety of names, Hummer Manufacturing Co. (originally Sattley Manufacturing Co.) was one of Springfield’s most important industries for more than 70 years. The firm originated in 1851 as a small farm-machinery manufacturer operated in the Rochester area by brothers Archibald … Continue reading →

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Racine-Sattley Manufacturing Co.

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

See Hummer Manufacturing Co. 

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