Category Archives: Local government

National Lincoln Monument Association directors, 1865

Posted on November 15, 2014 by editor

The National Lincoln Monument Association, officially organized on May 11, 1865, oversaw fundraising for and construction of Abraham Lincoln’s tomb. Although members originally planned to build the structure on land that now is the site of the Illinois Statehouse, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Illinois capital, John T. Stuart, Journalism, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Media, Politics, Prominent figures | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sangamon County boundary maps

Posted on October 29, 2014 by editor

When formed in 1821, Sangamon County took in all of what now are Sangamon, Menard, Logan, Cass, Mason and Tazewell counties, parts of McLean, Woodford, Marshall, Putnam, Macon and Christian counties, plus a sliver of northern Morgan County. Cass was … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Maps, Sangamon County | 2 Comments

‘Riverton riot’ of 1906

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

In the early years of the 20th century, local newspapers reported Lithuanian ethnicity in crimes of violence, much as media later in the century reported race. However, it’s easy to see why a “Lithuanian” brawl could have seemed relevant to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Ethnic groups, Law enforcement, Lithuanians, Local government | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Pasfield family (1830s to 1930)

Posted on September 28, 2014 by editor

Three men named George Pasfield — father, son and grandson, usually distinguished as “the first George Pasfield,” “Dr. George Pasfield” and “George Pasfield Jr.” — played major roles in the growth of Springfield over nearly a century. 1830s George Pasfield … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Early residents, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Industry, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Rudy Davenport (African-American history series)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Born in Georgia in 1928, Rudy Davenport grew up in Chicago, graduated from Roosevelt University, and moved to Springfield in 1966.  He worked for the State of Illinois and was an active volunteer with the NAACP. Davenport was one of … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Ethnic groups, Local government, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Harry Loper (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Harry Loper, a successful white restaurateur, owned one of the few motorcars in Springfield in 1908. So when Sangamon County Sheriff Charles Werner wanted to move two black accused murderers out of the county jail before a white mob stormed the facility, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Disasters, Local government, Prominent figures, Race riot of 1908, Restaurants | Leave a comment

Noah Roll (slain police officer)

Posted on August 7, 2014 by editor

Police Officer Noah Roll was attempting to protect two streetcars from a mob at Ninth Street and North Grand Avenue about 9:15 p.m. Aug. 7, 1917, when he was struck in the head by two shots fired by someone on … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Labor unions, Law enforcement, Local government, Transportation | Leave a comment

General strike, 1917

Posted on August 7, 2014 by editor

Union members shut down mines, railroads, bakeries, restaurants, laundries and construction sites across Sangamon County in September 1917 following the violent breakup by police and the Illinois state militia of a pro-labor march. The march — for which city officials … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor unions, Law enforcement, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Transportation, Women | Tagged , , , , | 2 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

Hawthorne Place

Posted on June 5, 2014 by editor

The developers of the Hawthorne Place subdivision were ahead of their time. Its construction, starting in 1902, triggered Springfield’s suburban growth and created new ways of living for residents of the city. Hawthorne Place, which takes in Whittier, Lowell and … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Architecture, Local government, Prominent figures, Springfield | Tagged , , | Leave a comment