Category Archives: Parks

Wheeland Haven, Riverton

Posted on June 25, 2014 by editor

In the early 1900s, in the midst of coal mines and cornfields east of Riverton, was a 17-acre oasis of beauty — Wheeland Haven, the home of Olive Black Wheeland and her husband Cyrus. Cyrus Wheeland was a farmer, grain … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, National Register, Parks, Prominent figures, Women | 17 Comments

Rev. John Bergen (1828 pioneers)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Rev. John Bergen (1790-1872) was the first full-time pastor of Springfield’s original Presbyterian church, which was founded in 1828. He, his wife Margretta (1793-1853) and their family moved to Springfield in late 1828 from New Jersey, where John Bergen had … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents, Parks, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Groves

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Groves of mature hardwood trees figured frequently in the history of Sangamon County. Robert Pulliam, considered the first European inhabitant of  the county, set up his first encampment in a grove of sugar maples on what became known as Sugar … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Illinois capital, Parks, Prehistory, Soil | Leave a 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

John Hay Homes

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

The John Hay Homes was a 599-unit public housing complex built in 1940 in Springfield and demolished in 1997. When built, the Hay Homes replaced a slum neighhborhood known as the Badlands, and the townhouse-style complex was designed for middle-class … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures, Social services, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Harriet Knudson (First Citizen)

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Harriett Knudson (1883-1969) is best known as the driving force behind creation of the Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center at Lake Springfield. She also organized the Springfield Civic Garden Club (Knudson was the first person elected to honorary life … Continue reading →

Posted in First Citizens, Parks, Prominent figures, Social services, Women | Tagged | Leave a comment

Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Envisioned by Harriet Knudson in 1936, Lincoln Memorial Garden was created as a living memorial to Abraham Lincoln, representing “the landscape … Lincoln would have known growing up and living in the Midwest.” The 100-acre garden on the banks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, First Citizens, Parks, Prehistory, Prominent figures, Social services, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Mildred Park (Bunn Park)

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

Mildred Park had rides, a swimming, boating and fishing lagoon with a suspension bridge and other attractions. The area is now Bunn Park. The suspension bridge was the site of a near-tragedy on Aug. 16,1905, when one of its cables … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Disasters, Early residents, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Springfield Survey, 1914

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey of 1914 was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions, and it’s still well-known in the fields of sociology and social work. But, partly because it was so ambitious, nothing similar was ever attempted … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Children, Education, Law enforcement, Local government, Medicine, Parks, Photos and photosets, Public health, Resources, Schools and school districts, Social services, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | 4 Comments