Category Archives: Military

Lafore Lock

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in July 2021. Springfield’s Lafore Lock Post 755 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is named after World War I U.S. Army Pvt. Farley Lafore Lock. Lock died Oct. 18, 1918, of wounds he … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 5 Comments

P-51D aircraft (National Register)

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

A U.S. Army P-51D aircraft, the top-performing fighter plane in World War II, housed at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The plane has won a variety of restoration awards. Aircraft are eligible … Continue reading →

Posted in Airport, Historic Sites, Military | Tagged | Leave a comment

Planes flown by Illinois National Guard, Springfield

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

Planes flown by the Illinois Air National Guard based in Springfield: Sept. 30, 1945: 170th Fighter Squadron recognized as Air National Guard unit flying P-51 Mustang 1953: Converts to F-86 Sabre Jet (Corrected; see comments) 1955: Converts to F-84F Thunderstreak … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Santa Anna’s artificial leg

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

One of the more popular attractions at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield is the artificial leg that belonged to Mexican General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, conqueror of the Alamo. The limb was captured during the battle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Military, Museums, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 2 Comments

U.S. Grant in Springfield

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Ulysses S. Grant’s rise to commander of U.S. forces in the Civil War began at dinner in a now-anonymous Springfield hotel. Because of his earlier military career, Grant had agreed to accompany a company of Union volunteers from Galena to … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Presidents, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Illinois State Arsenal (1855)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by editor

In 1855, the state of Illinois built an arsenal at 424-26 N. Fifth St., on the east side of Fifth Street between Mason and Carpenter streets. The smallish rectangular brick building, built in the Greek Revival style with a pediment on … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Presidents, State government | Tagged , | 1 Comment