Monthly Archives: March 2020

Southern Illinois Medical School 50th anniversary (2020)

Posted on March 31, 2020 by editor

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine indefinitely postponed its 50th anniversary alumni gala, which had been scheduled for April 4, 2020, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. The gala was a minor casualty of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Medicine, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Graybar Electric

Posted on March 29, 2020 by editor

On March 7, 1877, the Illinois State Journal published an article informing readers how to operate a telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish-born inventor today credited with patenting the first operational telephone device in 1876. The first telephone … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

Washington Iles, civic leader

Posted on March 23, 2020 by editor

Washington Iles (1800-71) was often overshadowed by his older brother, Elijah, Springfield’s pioneer merchant and civic leader. But Washington also was a respected, active citizen of the city. The brothers were in step with each other in many of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

A.L. Bowen, newspaperman & social service leader

Posted on March 21, 2020 by editor

A.L. (the initials stood for Archibald Leonard) Bowen traded careers between newspapering and social services, and he reached the top in both endeavors. Read about him in SangamonLink’s entry about the Palace Hotel.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Palace Hotel

Posted on March 21, 2020 by editor

In the late 1800s, Springfield’s Palace Hotel had a great location at Fourth and Washington streets, a half-block from the Chicago & Alton railroad station (today’s Amtrak station). For a while, the Palace was one of the city’s premier hostelries. … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

John Hancock, early poet

Posted on March 15, 2020 by editor

In at least one scholar’s opinion, Springfield storekeeper John Hancock was “the finest poet of the frontier, in not only Illinois but the entire Midwest.” See “Huyler’s Ghost,” a poem by “H.”, 1832. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

‘Huyler’s Ghost,’ a poem by ‘H.’,1832

Posted on March 15, 2020 by editor

“Huyler’s Ghost” is by an early Springfield poet whom scholar John Hallwas considers “the finest poet of the frontier, in not only Illinois but the entire Midwest.” The poet signed his works, which were printed in the Sangamo Journal from … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Arts and letters, Early residents, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Col. Henry Davis

Posted on March 8, 2020 by editor

Col. Henry Davis built the 18-room mansion that housed the Mary Bryant Home for 23 years. See Mary Bryant Home.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mary Bryant Home

Posted on March 8, 2020 by editor

The genesis of Springfield’s Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired was the meager life savings of a blind woman who understood the need for a safe home. Mary Bryant, born in Chicago in 1854, lost her sight … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Public health, Social services, Uncategorized | Leave a comment