Category Archives: Environment

James N. Brown, founder of Illinois State Fair

Posted on February 21, 2022 by editor

James N. Brown helped create the Republican Party in Illinois. He bred famous shorthorn cattle on a showplace farm that stretched across Sangamon and Morgan counties. He was the second person (behind Cyrus McCormick, but ahead of Jonathan Baldwin Turner … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Animals, Early residents, Environment, Farming, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Sweet gum trees

Posted on October 18, 2021 by editor

Springfield folklore says the city’s population of sweet gum trees (and their annoying, spiky “gum ball” seed pods) dates from the great elm tree die-off of the late 1940s. And sweet gums indeed were one of the main tree species … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Prominent figures, Science | 4 Comments