Monthly Archives: October 2013

Central Baptist Church

See First Baptist Church. 

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First Baptist Church

Central Baptist Church, 501 S. Fourth St. in Springfield, lays claim to the heritage of Springfield’s original Baptist congregation, which was formed by eight members on July 17, 1830. The church originally was known as First Baptist Church of Springfield. … Continue reading

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Chapman Laundry

The Edwards & Chapman Laundry was founded in 1905 by H.C. “Kelly” Edwards (1872-1938) and Alvin Chapman (1873-1958) and grew rapidly, moving into its own specially constructed building in the 100 block  of West Cook Street in 1908. The 26,500-square-foot … Continue reading

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Chatterton Opera House

The Chatterton Opera House at the southeast corner of Sixth and Jefferson streets was for nearly a half-century Springfield’s principal venue for stage entertainments of all kinds, and a major stop for national touring companies, recitalists, and speakers. The theater … Continue reading

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Child and Family Service of Sangamon County

Child and Family Service was created when the Family Welfare Association and the Springfield Day Nursery merged into the existing Children’s Service League in 1953. The Colored Children’s Service Bureau joined CFS in 1959, and the name was changed to … Continue reading

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Children’s physical exams, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

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

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Family Service Center

The original progenitor of the Family Service Center, 919 S. Spring St., was the Home for the Friendless, a residential facility for children and destitute women that was created in 1863. The home operated at Seventh Street and South Grand … Continue reading

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Children’s Service Bureau

The Children’s Service League originated as the Children’s Bureau, a subdivision of the Family Welfare Association, in 1925, but soon became an independent entity. In 1928, the Children’s Bureau merged with the Home for the Friendless to become the Children’s … Continue reading

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Chili (‘chilli’) in Springfield

Springfield’s idiosyncratic two-L spelling of the dish that goes elsewhere by the spelling “chili” was institutionalized when Joe Bockelmann and Thomas McNerney opened The Dew Chilli Parlor in 1909. Although The Dew apparently was the first restaurant to spell it … Continue reading

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Citizens Improvement Association

The Springfield Citizens Improvement Association was formed in 1889. See Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

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