Category Archives: Prominent figures

Rural mail delivery begins, 1896

Posted on December 2, 2016 by editor

The first rural mail deliveries in Sangamon County – in fact, in all of Illinois – took place in the Auburn area on Dec. 10, 1896. Rural Free Delivery, as it became known, started as a nationwide experiment, one many … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Politics, Prominent figures | 9 Comments

‘Madame Brownie’ (bordello operator)

Posted on October 21, 2016 by editor

“Madame Brownie” (real name Augusta Kellogg) operated one of Springfield’s best-known houses of prostitution for more than 35 years. She was 80 years old when she died in 1915, possibly following an altercation with an intoxicated customer. Her Illinois State … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Local government, Prominent figures, Women | 2 Comments

Tramping in Springfield, 1882

Posted on October 14, 2016 by editor

On March 12, 1882, “a rather dull day for the gatherer of items,” an anonymous Illinois State Journal reporter visited the Sangamon County Jail seeking news. He was directed to “an old thoroughbred tramp being entertained at present in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Italian immigration

Posted on October 10, 2016 by editor

More than 1,000 people paraded through downtown Springfield on Oct. 12, 1920, to celebrate Columbus Day. Floats depicted the Statue of Liberty, Christopher Columbus himself and Columbus’ flagship, the Santa Maria. Italian fraternal societies from Springfield, Virden and Decatur turned … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Coal mines and mining, Communities, Ethnic groups, Italians, Prominent figures | 12 Comments

Dineen family (hoteliers)

Posted on September 1, 2016 by editor

When Robert Dineen died in 1970, his obituary stated he had been an owner of the Palmer Hotel and the Illinois Hotel in downtown Springfield. Although not mentioned in the obituary, he also was the past president and a founding … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Olympics gold-medal winners from Sangamon County  

Posted on August 16, 2016 by editor

Olympics gold-medal winners from Sangamon County through 2016, as listed on Wikpedia, were: Ryan Held, Springfield: Men’s 4×100 freestyle relay (swimming), 2016. Graduate of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Andre Iguodala, Springfield: Basketball, 2012. Graduate of Lanphier High School, MVP of … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | 4 Comments

Alice Gilliland (Royal Neighbors of America)

Posted on August 14, 2016 by editor

Alice Gilliland (1863-1926) helped found the Royal Neighbors of America, the first “fraternal” benefit society to offer life insurance to women, and rose to become the group’s Supreme Oracle, its top post. Gilliland, who was among the first 500 members … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

Gambling rivalry, 1931

Posted on August 3, 2016 by editor

Threats to bomb one of Springfield’s most visible mansions illuminated the murky connections between city fathers and the local underworld in 1931. Machine-gun toting police officers took up guard posts at 1303 Wiggins Ave. in May 1931, in the midst … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Chesapeake Seafood House

Posted on July 19, 2016 by editor

NOTE: This entry has been edited. See below. The home that makes up the core of the Chesapeake Seafood House, 3045 Clear Lake Ave., was built sometime after 1857 by John McGredy, a 19th-century Scottish immigrant turned nurseryman. McGredy apparently … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Prominent figures, Restaurants | Leave a comment

The Lake Club

Posted on July 14, 2016 by editor

NOTE: This entry has been edited. See below. The Lake Club, 2840 Fox Road, brought top national performers – Mickey Rooney, the Mills Brothers, Guy Lombardo, Pearl Bailey, Lawrence Welk and many more – to Springfield in the 1940s, ‘50s … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Business, Crime and vice, Hotels & taverns, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Social life | 23 Comments