Tag Archives: Chatham

Chatham railroad history

Posted on October 5, 2014 by editor

In the early 1800s, like many other places on what was then “the frontier,” lack of reliable transportation was an impediment to the growth of Sangamon County. The Sangamon River was an outlet to the Illinois River, but was too … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Communities, Historic Sites, Museums, Railroads, Transportation | Tagged | 5 Comments

Route 66

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Historic U.S. Route 66, which ran from Chicago to California beginning in the 1920s, went through Sangamon County. Traveling north to south, Route 66 entered the county near Williamsville and traveled through Sherman to Springfield. The highway then took two … Continue reading →

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Hettie Bunker Smith

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Hettie Bunker Smith (1896-1989), an art teacher and housewife, began making artificial facial features for disfigured people in 1934, when a friend asked her for help covering a facial scar. Eventually, she received a presidential citation for her volunteer work … Continue reading →

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Sugar Creek Covered Bridge

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

The Sugar Creek Covered Bridge, the last covered bridge in Sangamon County, spans Sugar Creek a few hundred yards south of where early settler Robert Pulliam built a cabin during his first visit to the area in 1817. The 60-foot … Continue reading →

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