Author Archives: editor

‘Derecho’ storm, 2023

Posted on July 5, 2024 by editor

The storm that hit Sangamon County on June 29, 2023, wasn’t, by definition, a tornado. But you couldn’t tell that from the destruction.  In a tornado (or a hurricane), winds circulate in a spiral. The 2023 damage was caused instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Uncategorized, Weather | 1 Comment

George and Winnie Colin, folk art

Posted on June 27, 2024 by editor

George and Winnie Colin came as a set. George (1929-2014) was the artist, self-inspired and self-taught. He produced drawings, paintings, wooden cutouts and quirky sculptures at an amazing pace from a studio in tiny Salisbury. Colin’s style was variously described … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Photos and photosets, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

U.S. Grant speech at Lincoln Tomb dedication, 1874

Posted on June 23, 2024 by editor

President Ulysses Grant was not the main speaker when Abraham Lincoln’s tomb was dedicated on Oct. 15, 1874. Grant was asked to deliver the official dedication address, but declined. He did, however, did give a short speech at the ceremony, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Museums, Presidents, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

413-15 E. Adams St. fire, 2024

Posted on June 20, 2024 by editor

Furniture stores occupied the building at 413-15 E. Adams St. for more than 70 of its 121 years in existence. The three-story structure, devastated by a fire on June 19, 2024, was torn down the next day. Leonard Reisch (1858-1933), … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Fires | 1 Comment

Albert Giles, ‘Hero or Villain’?

Posted on June 17, 2024 by editor

Albert Giles, a Black sharecropper from Arkansas, was sentenced to death in connection with what is known as “the Elaine Massacre,” one of the bloodiest racial conflicts in U.S. history. Giles served four years on death row before the charges … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Crime and vice | Leave a comment

Kroger grocery stores

Posted on June 11, 2024 by editor

On Dec. 13, 1928, two men, one carrying a revolver, entered the Kroger grocery at 12th Street and South Grand Avenue in Springfield.  They forced employees and a 15-year-old customer into a back room.  When the boy lagged behind, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Grocery markets | 1 Comment

‘Hammock parties,’ 1890s

Posted on June 7, 2024 by editor

“Hammock parties” were a way for young people to get together in the 1890s. The problem was how to prevent hammock hanky-panky. The Illinois State Journal outlined the rules in July 1890. The equipment was simple: enough hammocks to hold … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Social life | Leave a comment

George Brinkerhoff mystery, 1893

Posted on May 19, 2024 by editor

George M. Brinkerhoff Sr. and his daughter Bessie climbed aboard an Illinois Central Railroad sleeper the evening of July 28, 1893, on their way home from the World’s Fair in Chicago. When the train arrived in Springfield the next morning, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

First wedding (1820)

Posted on April 30, 2024 by editor

The first marriage ever performed in Sangamon County took place in a log cabin near Cantrall on Nov. 2, 1820. In a pioneer community, the event required some improvisation, including a legless piano and a fake wedding cake. The happy … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Early residents, Family life, Social life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Corky Meyer, test pilot

Posted on April 28, 2024 by editor

Corky Meyer got serious about building and flying model airplanes while a student at Springfield High School in 1936. He had no way to guide his models, though, so he had to chase them by car until they ran out … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Military, Transportation | Leave a comment