Author Archives: editor

John D. Waters and Highland Farms

John D. Waters built a livestock empire in eastern Sangamon County. He also built a mansion south of Dawson that was known for, among other things, the large meteorite that adorned the front yard. “He was one of the best … Continue reading

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Family life, Farming, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Pillsbury ‘Doughboy’ origin debate

Did the Pillsbury Doughboy, one of advertising’s most recognizable images, originate in Springfield? Pillsbury says no. The company says Rudy Perz, a copywriter at the Leo Burnett Agency in Chicago, came up with the idea in 1965. But Moving Pillsbury … Continue reading

Posted in Arts and letters, Business, Industry | 1 Comment

COVID-19 in Sangamon County: The first year

Sangamon County recorded its first COVID-19 death on March 19, 2020. A 71-year-old woman travelling from Florida to Springfield passed away from virus complications at Memorial Medical Center. The death occurred during a period of national uncertainty about the COVID-19 … Continue reading

Posted in Disasters, Local government, Medicine, Public health, Sangamon County, Science | Leave a comment

First women lawyers

Erma Garrison Templeman was the first woman to practice law in Sangamon County. She wasn’t, however, the first to pass the bar exam; at least two other women beat her to that distinction. All three had noteworthy life stories, good … Continue reading

Posted in Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Women | Leave a comment

‘The Great Klaholt robbery’, 1883

One hundred-forty years ago this week, “adroit cracksmen” made away – briefly – with what probably is the most lucrative burglary haul in Springfield history. The theft was carefully planned. The getaway, apparently, was not. The theft took place in … Continue reading

Posted in Buildings, Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bell Miller, businesswoman

Bell Miller was only 22 in 1892, when she opened a small flower shop at her home on South Second Street. One greenhouse soon grew to seven, covering the area around First and Canedy Streets. The Illinois State Journal took … Continue reading

Posted in Buildings, Business, Hotels & taverns, National Register, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

Frank Zito’s Leavenworth prison record

Most photographs of Frank Zito, Springfield’s so-called “godfather” of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, show him as an older man, vaguely grandfather-ish in a homburg. The mug shots taken when Zito, then about 40, entered the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Susan Lawrence’s secret marriage

Susan Lawrence Dana and Lawrence Joergen-Dahl married secretly on March 19, 1912.  It took another two months for Springfield to become aware of the wedding. The marriage was certainly a love match for Dana (1862-1946), the wealthy socialite who a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Robert Preston Taylor (Lincoln College of Law, Illinois State Museum)

By one measurement, Robert Preston Taylor (1876-1951) goes into history as the first African-American graduate of the old Lincoln College of Law in Springfield. But that would ignore Taylor’s more significant achievement: bringing to life exhibits at the Illinois State … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Education, Higher education, Museums, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Butchers vs. the ‘blue law’ (1916)

Springfield’s Sunday “blue law” was more than 40 years old in 1916. That’s when a group of suburban butchers decided the law should actually be enforced. As the dispute developed, Springfield police that March hauled in 15 businessmen, including seven … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Labor unions, Law enforcement, Local government, Springfield, Theaters | Leave a comment