Category Archives: Architecture

Haskell Viaduct (Illinois State Fairgrounds)

Posted on August 15, 2018 by editor

The Haskell Viaduct was a pedestrian bridge that connected the Exposition Building to the Poultry Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds from 1897 until, probably, the mid-1920s. The Poultry Building (today’s Artisans Building) also was completed in 1897, but in … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Architecture, Maps, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Helmle family, architects and builders

Posted on February 19, 2018 by editor

Three generations of the Helmle family left their mark on the built environment of Springfield. The original Helmles in Springfield were George William Helmle, a skilled woodcarver from Germany, and his wife, Elise Marschutz Helmle, who arrived in Springfield in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Business, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Patrick Henry statue, St. Joseph School

Posted on September 29, 2017 by editor

The mystery of what happened to St. Joseph School’s statue of Patrick Henry may never be solved. But the question of how a life-sized marble sculpture of a Protestant patriot happened to stand above the entrance of a Catholic school … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Buildings, Churches, Education, Schools and school districts | Leave a comment

Carl Rinnus, popular sculpture

Posted on August 13, 2017 by editor

Carl Rinnus (1912-93) is best known as the sculptor/fabricator of the giant fiberglass statue of Abraham Lincoln that stands just inside the Main Gate at the Illinois State Fair. He also created another locally famous piece of Springfield sculpture, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Department stores, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

Lustron all-steel homes

Posted on May 8, 2017 by editor

More than 4,000 people viewed Springfield’s first all-steel Lustron home when it opened for public inspection on June 26, 1949. The demonstration home at 2255 S. College St. was the first of five that eventually were built in Springfield and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings | 5 Comments

Price-Prather House, Williamsville (National Register)

Posted on February 16, 2017 by editor

Williamsville’s Price-Prather House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places partly for its architectural features, but the building’s early owners, especially J. Frank Prather (1859-1927), played major roles in development of the beef cattle industry in Sangamon County, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Farming, Historic Sites, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Ben F. Caldwell: politician, farmer, banker

Posted on February 7, 2017 by editor

Ben Franklin Caldwell (1848-1924) was a member of Congress and the Illinois legislature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also was a farmer, banker and civic leader whose donations helped build schools in both Chatham and Thayer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Fires, Historic Sites, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts | 3 Comments

Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum

Posted on December 29, 2016 by editor

The Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum was a huge hit when it first opened to fairgoers in 1901. But not huge enough, because the building had to be substantially expanded only two years later. The Coliseum, declared unsafe for use in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, National Register, State government | 8 Comments

Old Stone House, Rochester

Posted on September 7, 2016 by editor

The Old Stone House, a project of the Rochester Historical Preservation Society, is an 1830s dwelling moved from its original site east of town to near Rochester Community Park. It is open periodically as a living history demonstration. The house … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Communities, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Markers, Museums | 1 Comment

Oak Ridge Abbey (mausoleum)

Posted on May 1, 2016 by editor

When Springfield’s first mausoleum was built, its builders played on people’s fears of disease, grave robbery, decomposition and neglect. What’s more, they promised, interment in the Oak Ridge Abbey would protect against the possibility of premature burial. The interior of … Continue reading →

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