Category Archives: Springfield

‘The Golden Book of Springfield’ (Vachel Lindsay)

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

The Golden Book of Springfield, Vachel Lindsay’s only novel, published in 1920, outlined Lindsay’s ethereal, mythopoetic expectations for the city of Springfield a century hence. (One of the few concrete predictions in Lindsay’s highly metaphorical view of the city’s future … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Lindsay, Vachel, Springfield | Tagged | 3 Comments

‘On the Building of Springfield’ (Vachel Lindsay)

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Poet Vachel Lindsay was confounded — not to say obsessed — with his hometown of Springfield. Some of his best-known lines about the city are contained in his 1908 poem, “On the Building of Springfield.” LET not our town be … Continue reading →

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John Carroll Power on the founding of Springfield

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

John Carroll Power (1819-94), custodian of the Lincoln Tomb from 1874 to 1894, also wrote several books, including two important early histories: History of Springfield, Illinois, its attractions as a home and advantages for business, manufacturing, etc. (1871); and History … Continue reading →

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Race riot of 1908

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Update: On Aug. 16, 2024, President Joe Biden designated an area along Springfield’s 10th Street railroad tracks the Springfield Race Riot National Monument. The new monument takes in the remains of five homes destroyed during the riot. The structures were … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Disasters, Fever River, Historic Sites, Law enforcement, Markers, Race riot of 1908, Resources, Springfield | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Sangamo Township

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Before Sangamon County was created in January 1821, its territory was divided between Madison and Bond counties (mostly in Madison). Between the arrival of the first settler in 1817 and the ultimate formation of the county in 1821, a significant … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Local government, Native Americans, Prehistory, Resources, Sangamon County, Springfield | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

School problems, 1914 (Springfield survey photo)

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. Topics covered included schools, care of “mental defectives, the insane … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Schools and school districts, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

Charles H. Spaulding

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Charles Herbert Spaulding (1888-1968), described at his death as “the nation’s foremost water technologist,” provided the technical innovations that enabled his brother, Willis J. Spaulding, to carry out his vision of a publicly owned Springfield water system. Charles Spaulding designed … Continue reading →

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Willis J. Spaulding

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

“Next to Lincoln, Willis Spaulding was our greatest citizen,” then-Mayor Nelson Howarth said upon Spaulding’s death in 1965. “… His leadership in the fight for public utilities resulted in Lake Springfield, pure water, low electric rates and acres of recreational … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Prominent figures, Springfield, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Springfield city flag

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s city flag was adopted in 1917. Local resident S.T. Wallace won a contest to design the flag, taking a $100 prize in the process.  Poet Vachel Lindsay both proposed the contest and donated the cash award. The 20 stars … Continue reading →

Posted in Lindsay, Vachel, Local government, Springfield | 2 Comments

Col. John Taylor (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

This entry has been edited (2025) to remove a photo incorrectly identified as that of Col. John Taylor. Col. John Taylor (1780-1849) was a pioneer merchant, land speculator and Sangamon County official, serving as the county’s first sheriff and as … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Springfield | Tagged , , | 4 Comments