Category Archives: Local government

Gambling and the Sangamon County underworld,1948

Posted on June 4, 2014 by editor

The 1948 slaying of a dice game “stickman” helped expose a Sangamon County underworld that featured wide-open gambling and, allegedly, systematic bribery of state, county and city officials. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time had a team of reporters … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Journalism, Law enforcement, Local government, Media, Politics, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum controversies

Posted on May 26, 2014 by editor

Design and construction of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum took years and involved a variety of political squabbles and maneuvering. If politics could have been put aside, the facility would have been completed much sooner. Of course, since … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Buildings, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Museums, Politics, Presidential candidates, Presidents, Prominent figures, State government | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ansar Shrine leadership, 1914-2014

Posted on May 4, 2014 by editor

The leaders (“potentates”) of Springfield-based Ansar Shrine during its first 100 years included a Springfield mayor, a Springfield First Citizen and the last living person to have viewed the face of Abraham Lincoln. Ansar Shrine was chartered on July 13, … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, First Citizens, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

Springfield mayors

Posted on March 23, 2014 by editor

Springfield was incorporated as a village on April 2,, 1832. For the next eight years, it was governed by a village president and board of trustees. (Dates below refer to election or appointment dates.) Village presidents Charles R. Matheny, 1832-39 … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Politics, Springfield | Leave a comment

Springfield School District desegregation order (1976)

Posted on November 19, 2013 by editor

The Rev. Negil McPherson filed suit against the Springfield School District in April 1974, accusing the district of “numerous deliberate actions all of which boiled down to creating, fostering, and maintaining racial and ethnic segregation in the Springfield, Illinois, public … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Local government, Schools and school districts | Tagged , | 3 Comments

James Adams (1828 pioneers)

Posted on November 8, 2013 by editor

James Adams (1783-1843), was a New Yorker who arrived in Springfield in 1821, apparently in flight from a forgery indictment in his native state. Adams found himself involved in controversy — legal, political, and marital — in Illinois as well. … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Military, Politics, Prominent figures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

First Black high school graduate

Posted on November 5, 2013 by editor

The first African-American high school graduate in Springfield wanted to be a schoolteacher, but it would be 80 more years before the local public schools would employ a Black teacher. So Gertrude Wright (1861-1931) became a teacher in St. Louis, … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Ethnic groups, Local government, Schools and school districts, Women | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Women’s suffrage in Illinois

Posted on November 4, 2013 by editor

A carefully calibrated legislative strategy in Springfield led to Illinois becoming, in 1913, the first state east of the Mississippi to grant women the right to vote. On June 10, 1919, the state then became the first in the nation … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois capital, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, State government, Women | 5 Comments

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport was dedicated, under its original name of Capital Airport, on Nov. 2, 1947. The ceremony culminated a nearly decade-long effort to build a new airport, an initiative sparked when the two airlines that previously served Springfield … Continue reading →

Posted in Airport, Journalism, Local government, Military, Prominent figures, Transportation | 2 Comments

Bridgeview Beach, 1942 (photo)

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Beaches at Lake Springfield were segregated until 1952. The Lake Springfield Beach, near Lindsay Bridge, was open only to whites. African-Americans were restricted to using Bridgevew Beach, which was on the south side of the lake. Utilities Com. John Hunter … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Local government, Sports and recreation | 7 Comments