Monthly Archives: October 2013

Early Springfield (Barringer map)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The map at right was created for Dr. Floyd Barringer’s 1971 booklet Tour of Historic Springfield. Fever River Research, in its  Aristocracy Hill  and Enos Park surveys, along with its archaeological survey prior to construction of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, Fever River, Historic Sites, Histories, Maps, Native Americans, Springfield, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Edwards Trace

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Update (November 2024): The most complete information on the Edwards Trace is available at rabbitsrow.com, a website created by Trace researchers Luke Moore, David Brady and Tracy Garrison. It includes: their paper on the history and route of the Trace; … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Native Americans, Transportation | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Dr. Garret Elkin (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Dr. Garrett Elkin, who moved to Sangamon County from Kentucky in 1823, “was a man of considerable courage,” serving for six years as county sheriff and in the Black Hawk, Mormon and Mexican wars, according to the History of Medical … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Law enforcement, Local government, Military, Politics, Prominent figures | Tagged | 2 Comments

Andrew Elliott (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Andrew Elliott (1792-1864) kept what John Carroll Power called the first hotel in Springfield. However, his main claim to (probably apocryphal) fame was as the guide who secured the county seat for Springfield. According to Power, Elliott, originally from North … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Hotels & taverns, Local government, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Springfield | 2 Comments

Levi Ellis: First resident of Springfield?

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Several accounts suggest that Levi Ellis (c.1791-1857) may have been the first European to set up residence in what is now the city of Springfield, a designation often attributed to Elisha Kelly and his relatives. Ellis, born in South Carolina, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Mills, Springfield | Leave a comment

Emancipation Day celebrations

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The Slave Emancipation Act, which freed Britain’s slaves in the West Indies, went into effect on Aug. 1, 1834. Freedom wasn’t immediate unless a slave was younger than 6; others had to serve as unpaid apprentices to their former masters. … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, African Americans, Celebrations, Ethnic groups | Leave a comment

Enos Flats (photo)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The Enos Flats, built in 1892, are the oldest remaining example of a multi-family dwelling in Springfield, according to Fever River Research’s architectural survey (1997, revised in 2005) of the Enos Park neighborhood. The buildings, at 716-24 N. Fifth St., … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Fever River | Leave a comment

Enos Park neighborhood (Fever River)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The Enos Park neighborhood, north of downtown, is one of five areas of Springfield that have been exhaustively studied by Fever River Research. The resulting reports  are extraordinarily informative historical and archaeological analyses. (The Enos Park report formerly was available online; … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Communities, Fever River, Springfield | Leave a comment

Pascal P. Enos (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Pascal Paoli Enos (1770-1832) was one of the four original owners of the land that eventually became the city of Springfield, and, as receiver in the Springfield land office, he played an influential role in the growth of the area. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

Salome Paddock Enos (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Salome Paddock Enos (1791-1877), the wife of Pascal P. Enos, successfully managed her husband’s extensive land holdings following his death and became one of early Springfield’s most generous benefactors. At her death, James Matheny described how Salome Enos dealt with … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , , | Leave a comment