Monthly Archives: November 2013

Progressive Mine Workers Auxiliary march, 1933

Posted on November 27, 2013 by editor

One of the signal events of the struggle between the United Mine Workers of American and the insurgent Progressive Miners of America union was a march by the PMA Women’s Auxiliary to the Statehouse on Jan. 25, 1933. See Coal … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Depression, Women | Tagged | Leave a comment

Andrew train bombing, 1933

Posted on November 27, 2013 by editor

The bombing of a Chicago & Illinois Midland railroad train at Andrew on Feb. 24, 1933, was one of the most serious of the bombings aimed at coal haulers during the central Illinois mine union war of the early 1930s. … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Depression | Tagged | Leave a comment

Edris Mabie shooting, 1935

Posted on November 27, 2013 by editor

Edris Mabie (1894-1935) was a Progressive Miners of America activist who was shot to death at Sixth and Washington streets in Springfield on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935. See Coal mine union war.

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Coal miner union war, 1932-37

Posted on November 26, 2013 by editor

A bitter battle between rival coal mine unions, a battle that began and effectively ended in Springfield, led to strikes, bombings, street riots and at least six killings in Sangamon County in the 1930s. The United Mine Workers of America, … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Depression, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Loami

Posted on November 22, 2013 by editor

Europeans first moved into what now is Loami Township in 1819, but the village of Loami didn’t get its start until William and Ebenezer Colburn erected a steam saw and grist mill there in 1836. A settlement grew up around the … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Disasters, Mills | 8 Comments

American House hotel

Posted on November 22, 2013 by editor

The American House hotel, built on the southeast corner of Sixth and Adams streets in 1837, was the largest hotel in Illinois for more than a decade. See Trip to Springfield, 1852. 

Posted in Hotels & taverns | Leave a comment

Springfield School District desegregation order (1976)

Posted on November 19, 2013 by editor

The Rev. Negil McPherson filed suit against the Springfield School District in April 1974, accusing the district of “numerous deliberate actions all of which boiled down to creating, fostering, and maintaining racial and ethnic segregation in the Springfield, Illinois, public … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Local government, Schools and school districts | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Sangamon County historic landmarks

Posted on November 18, 2013 by editor

As of February 2021, nine sites had been designated historic landmarks by Sangamon County. They were: *The George Power Courthouse (Cantrall) *The Brunk Farmstead (Rochester) *The Lincoln-Van Buren Trail (between Rochester and Springfield) *Sangamon Ordnance Plant water tower (Illiopolis) *Inn … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Sangamon County | 2 Comments

John Knoepfle

Posted on November 17, 2013 by editor

See Sangamon County poets.

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Susan Lawrence Dana

Posted on November 16, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in July 2023. See “Hat tips” below. Susan Lawrence Dana (1862-1946) was a Springfield socialite, activist and philanthropist best known for commissioning architect Frank Lloyd Wright to transform her family’s Civil War-era home at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Museums, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, Social services, State government, Women | 2 Comments