Category Archives: Maps

Gen. James Henry

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

James D. Henry (1797-1834), gained the title of “General” via his acknowledged exceptional leadership during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Henry, who arrived in Springfield in 1826, was elected sheriff in 1827 and was operating a store on the … Continue reading →

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Archer Herndon (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Archer G. Herndon Sr. (1795-1867) was one of the “Long Nine,” including Abraham Lincoln, who are credited with persuading the Illinois legislature to move the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield in 1837. Archer Herndon also was the father of William … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Maps, Politics, Prominent figures, State government | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Lincoln Home neighborhood

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Although the Lincoln family home at Eighth and Jackson streets in Springfield reflected Abraham Lincoln’s status as a prominent attorney and politician, the National Park Service points out that the neighborhood surrounding the home was a diverse one. The following … Continue reading →

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Gov. Joel Matteson mansion

Posted on October 15, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s most elaborate early dwelling was that of former governor Joel Matteson (1808-73; governor, 1853-57). Matteson had moved into the then-new Executive Mansion during his gubernatorial term, but found it to be “dull and unfashionable.” So, Paul Angle reported in … Continue reading →

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Sangamo Town

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Sangamo Town was a settlement on the Sangamon River that for a time rivaled Springfield as a commercial center, but after only 20 years or so was abandoned and all but forgotten. The man behind Sangamo Town was Moses Broadwell (1764-1827). Born … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Maps, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Sangamon River, Transportation | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Sangamon County Fair

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Corrected entry; see below — ed. What essentially was the first Sangamon County Fair was an exhibition held Oct. 22, 1835, under sponsorship of the Sangamon County Agricultural Society. Winners at the first show were: John Todd and J.M. Shackleford, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Amusements, Celebrations, Farming, Maps, Sangamon County | Tagged | 1 Comment

Springfield in 1867 (map)

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Although not to scale, the 1867 bird’s-eye view of Springfield drawn by A. Ruger for the Chicago Lithographing Co. is considered accurate in its placement and depiction of city buildings and streets. Note that the map is oriented with north … Continue reading →

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Springfield in 1828 (map)

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

The map above, which gives a sense of Springfield’s layout in 1828, is a reconstruction based on two primary sources: the reminiscences of Zimri Enos, contained in Papers in Illinois History and Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Maps | Tagged , , | 5 Comments