Monthly Archives: February 2025

Crow’s Mill Covered Bridge (photo)

Posted on February 19, 2025 by editor

Sangamon County still had a half-dozen covered bridges at the start of the 1930s, more than any other county in the state of Illinois. By the time the decade ended, only two remained. The first of the bridges to fall … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Photos and photosets, Transportation | Leave a comment

‘Mayor of Bronzeville’ election, 1939

Posted on February 11, 2025 by editor

This entry has been updated. See “Hat tip” below. The 1939 election for “mayor of Bronzeville” was designed to “encourage good sportsmanship and develop leadership among the young colored male residents” of Springfield, organizers said. The election was purely a … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Ethnic groups, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Antifreeze drinking party kills five, 1931

Posted on February 7, 2025 by editor

Just after Christmas 1931, a dozen ne’er-do-wells huddled in a boxcar parked along Springfield’s 10th Street railroad line, passing around a bottle of white lightning. Over the next couple of days, passersby found seven of the drinkers – sick, dying … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Public health, Uncategorized | 2 Comments