Category Archives: Historic Sites

Hall of Flags

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Memorial Hall — still better known as the Hall of Flags, even though the flags have been gone for more than a decade — is the grand vestibule of the State of Illinois’ Michael J. Howlett Building, itself originally called … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Military, State government | Tagged | 2 Comments

Virgil Hickox

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

Virgil Hickox (1806-80) was a Springfield merchant, mill operator and bank and railroad investor. He also was a close friend of Stephen Douglas and managed Douglas’ successful 1858 U.S. Senate campaign against Abraham Lincoln. Hickox, a New York native, arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Mills, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Ambidexter Institute

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

The Ambidexter Institute was a private “industrial school” that operated from 1901 until 1908 at 902 S. 12th St. (As of 2014, the building, generally known as the Judge John Taylor House, was in disrepair, but the Springfield Project, a … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Historic Sites, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

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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

Elijah Iles (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Elijah Iles (1796-1883) was Springfield’s first merchant and perhaps its most dynamic founder. Iles built a log store near the settlement of the John Kelly family shortly after arriving in central Illinois. Iles described his move to Sangamon County and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Native Americans, Parks, Prominent figures, Springfield | Leave a comment

Illinois Capitol Complex

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Nine major buildings make up the heart of what is known as the Capitol Complex – the Statehouse and surrounding state government structures. Included are: *The Capitol itself *The Michael J. Howlett Building (formerly the Centennial Building), south of the … Continue reading →

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Illinois Capitol

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Today’s Illinois Capitol is the sixth building to have been so designated. The state rented the first, a two-story brick building in Kaskaskia, the first capital, for $4 a day. The next three capitols were in Vandalia, where the capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Buildings, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, State government | Leave a comment

Illinois Executive Mansion, 1860 (lithograph)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

The Illinois Executive Mansion is one of the three oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansions in the U.S. Since the lithograph above was done, the mansion has lost the cupola, the columns on the entrance portico and the balconies. (Reprinted in The … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Fever River, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, State government | Tagged | Leave a comment