Monthly Archives: December 2022

First snowplow (1918)

Springfield’s first motorized snowplow arrived five days late. A massive blizzard, carrying heavy snow, powerful winds and temperatures as low as 20 below, struck the city on Friday, Jan. 11, 1918. Springfield already was under a blanket of snow, and … Continue reading

Posted in Disasters, Local government, Transportation, Weather | Leave a comment

Riverton High School boys basketball, 1949-50

Frank Santarelli assembled what turned out to be a great Riverton boys basketball team on a cold November afternoon in 1949. Santarelli, himself a Riverton alumnus, coached the Hawks from 1935 through 1942 and 1946 through 1957. The 1949-50 team … Continue reading

Posted in Prominent figures, Sports and recreation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Roberts Brothers (men’s clothing)

In the cold, early morning hours of December 12, 1974, smoke billowed from the roof of Roberts Brothers clothing store in downtown Springfield. A fire had started on the second floor, and the Springfield Fire Department was alerted when a … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

Jesse L. McCoy, WWII “daggerman”

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Jesse L. McCoy of Springfield converted a ceremonial sword once used by a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows into a couple of daggers. By the time he and World War II were finished, … Continue reading

Posted in Journalism, Media, Military, Prominent figures | Leave a comment