Monthly Archives: May 2015

Rebecca Woods (servant)

Rebecca Woods was a longtime servant of the Nicholas Ridgely family and is buried in the Ridgely plot at Oak Ridge Cemetery. See Ridgely family.

Posted in African Americans | Leave a comment

Ridgely family

Nicholas Ridgely, a Maryland native who moved to Sangamon County in 1835, was the father of 13 children by two wives (both named Jane). Here is a look at several Ridgelys who played prominent roles in 19th-century Springfield. *Nicholas Ridgely … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Business, Industry, Local government, Prominent figures, Railroads | 6 Comments

Ridgely village

The village of Ridgely, which ran from about Fifth Street to 15th Street between Ridgely and Sangamon avenues, was among suburbs that sprang up as residential developments expanded beyond the “Grand avenues,” the traditional city limits of Springfield. Ridgely, incorporated … Continue reading

Posted in Communities, Local government, Prominent figures, Springfield | 3 Comments

Michael Swango

See Serial murderers.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

John Wayne Gacy

See Serial murderers.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Serial murderers

Central Illinois played brief, but important roles in the lives of two serial murderers in the last half of the 20th century: *John Wayne Gacy, executed in 1994 for murdering dozens of teenage boys and young men, was a shoe … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement | 6 Comments

John A. Bross Post, Grand Army of the Republic

Bross Post, GAR, was the African American unit of the Grand Army of the Republic in Springfield. See Lewis Martin, 29th U.S. Colored Troops.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lewis Martin, 29th U.S. Colored Troops

This entry has been updated — ed. Lewis Martin (1840-92) was a free Black man who served in the 29th regiment U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. He was severely wounded in the Battle of the Crater before Petersburg, … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Military | 4 Comments

Lincoln Tomb custodian’s home

A contract to build a home for the custodian of the Lincoln Tomb was awarded to Col. James Culver’s contracting company in August 1895. The cost was $2,500, and the design was very specific. The Illinois State Journal spelled it … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb | Leave a comment

Herbert Wells Fay (Lincoln Tomb custodian)

Herbert Wells Fay was the third custodian of the Lincoln Tomb, a post he held from 1921 to 1949.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment