Author Archives: editor

‘A Palatial Barroom’ (1898)

Posted on August 27, 2023 by editor

When Harry Lane opened his new saloon at 415 E. Washington St. in 1898, he wanted you to know: It was no bucket of blood. Rough-and-tumble tipplers patronized the workingmen’s bars (and worse) that lined the streets of “the Levee” … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Business, Crime and vice, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Social life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Firefighter deaths on duty

Posted on August 19, 2023 by editor

At least 13* Springfield firefighters have died in the line of duty since the city created a professional fire department in the late 1860s. In order, they were: George Schevers (1860-Jan. 11, 1905). Schevers, fire chief at the time, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Local government, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Elevator Milling Co. fire, 1927

Posted on August 9, 2023 by editor

As many as 5,000 people stood in pouring rain the evening of April 8, 1927, watching as a historic grain mill and elevator went up in flames across from the Third Street railroad station. The massive blaze destroyed 45,000 bushels … Continue reading →

Posted in Auto dealers, Buildings, Business, Disasters, Fires, Industry, Mills, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Piggly Wiggly/Eisner grocery stores

Posted on August 6, 2023 by editor

“The Pig” sold its last pork chop on Nov. 11, 1951. That was the date when Springfield’s 11 Piggly Wiggly stores became Eisner Food Stores. “Frankly, we shall feel a measure of relief in being no longer referred to as … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Grocery markets, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Coney Island restaurant

Posted on July 19, 2023 by editor

On a sunny April day in 1989, hungry Springfieldians lined up to savor a hot dog from the Coney Island Restaurant at 114 N. Sixth St.  The line, which wrapped around the block, included citizens from all walks of life, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Celebrations, Ethnic groups, Greeks, Prominent figures, Restaurants | 4 Comments

Sangamo Club

Posted on July 9, 2023 by editor

The very first Sangamo Club boasted a technological marvel: a telephone that could be raised and lowered between the first and second floors. The Sangamo Club, founded in 1890, closed, apparently permanently, in June 2023. Over 133 years in existence, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Prominent figures, Social life, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Grunendike delivery prank, 1936

Posted on July 4, 2023 by editor

The deliveries began at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1936. One after another, merchants, tradesmen, delivery people and cab drivers, even a veterinarian,  knocked on the door of the Grunendike home at 500 S. Sixth St. They brought cakes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Former fire chief killed in World’s Fair blaze, 1893

Posted on June 22, 2023 by editor

Seventeen people died in a spectacular fire during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. One was former Springfield Fire Marshal John H. Freeman. Following his second stint as fire marshal (today’s fire chief), Freeman enlisted with the World’s Fair fire company. … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Fires, Local government, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Springfield loses a newspaper, 1919

Posted on June 14, 2023 by editor

The News-Record, the last credible challenger to the Illinois State Journal and Illinois State Register in Springfield’s daily newspaper market, published its final edition on May 5, 1919. The closure was a good deal for everybody concerned … except maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Communications, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Grand Army of the Republic parade, 1932 (video)

Posted on June 4, 2023 by editor

Aging but still vital, more than 700 veterans of the Union Army marched through downtown Springfield as part of the 1932 national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. Movie cameras captured part of parade, which was held on … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Military, Videos | 2 Comments