Author Archives: editor

Poston Brick & Concrete Co.

Posted on October 1, 2021 by editor

Brickyards sprouted in Springfield almost as soon as European settlers reached Sangamon County, but the longest-lived was Poston Brick & Concrete Co., which operated on South Grand Avenue for almost 60 years. “Nature was in a most generous mood when … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Soil, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Job Fletcher (‘Long Nine’, first window glass)

Posted on September 26, 2021 by editor

Job Fletcher, whose family settled in Sangamon County in 1819, is credited with a number of the county’s “firsts.” See First window glass.

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First window glass

Posted on September 26, 2021 by editor

“Squire Job” Fletcher, one of Sangamon County’s earliest officials and a member of the “Long Nine” that secured Springfield as the state capital, apparently was the first county resident to have glass windows in his home. John Carroll Power recorded … Continue reading →

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

R.F. Herndon & Co. (dry goods, women’s clothing)

Posted on September 21, 2021 by editor

R.F. Herndon & Co. sold dry goods, women’s clothing and hats for more than 130 years in Springfield. Herndon’s operated the first horseless delivery vehicle in Springfield, and its third location featured one of Springfield’s first passenger elevators, an innovation … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

First passenger elevator (1876)

Posted on September 19, 2021 by editor

What apparently was Sangamon County’s first passenger elevator was installed at a dry-goods store, Kimber & Ragsdale, on the south side of today’s Old Capitol Plaza, in 1876. Kimber & Ragsdale, owned by W.F. Kimber (1836-1911) and Thomas Ragsdale (1812-92), … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Department stores | 1 Comment

Edward L. Baker (editor, diplomat)

Posted on September 14, 2021 by editor

As a newsman, Edward L. Baker delivered two of the biggest stories of the 19th century to Springfield. As a diplomat, Baker was too good to remove, no matter which party controlled the federal government. “Ned” Baker (1829-97) was only … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, Journalism, Lincoln, Abraham, Media, Oak Ridge signs, Politics, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

De Crastos family (tamales)

Posted on September 7, 2021 by editor

The De Crastos family, beginning with patriarch Edward De Crastos, sold chili and tamales from pushcarts and bicycles in Springfield from the 1890s until the 1960s. See ‘Tamale men’ (1890s).

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‘Tamale men’ (1890s)

Posted on September 7, 2021 by editor

Roving “tamale men” became a late-night phenomenon in downtown Springfield around the turn of the 20th century, and a single family kept the tradition going until the 1960s. The Illinois State Journal reviewed the local tamale industry – “for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Restaurants | Leave a comment

Gov. William H. Bissell

Posted on August 31, 2021 by editor

When Gov. William Bissell was reburied in 1871, the crowd may have been bigger than at any Springfield funeral since that of Abraham Lincoln. Bissell was the first Republican, first college graduate and first disabled person elected governor. He also … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois capital, Markers, Oak Ridge signs, Politics, Prominent figures, Spectacles, State government, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

First burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery

Posted on August 27, 2021 by editor

  Eliza Helmle, the infant daughter of Carl Albert and Marie Helmle, was the first person buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, according to cemetery records. A handwritten cemetery ledger says Eliza died of “teething” at nine months old; the record … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Germans, Markers, Oak Ridge signs | 2 Comments