Category Archives: Agriculture

Soybeans

Posted on August 30, 2014 by editor

Soybeans, now the second-leading crop in Sangamon County (as they are in most of the Midwest), became a staple on county farms in the 1920s. The increase in soybean production already had been dramatic, but it had started from a … Continue reading →

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Spaulding (village)

Posted on July 10, 2014 by editor

The village of Spaulding, off Illinois 54 east of Springfield, got its name from a mammoth nursery and orchard. In central Illinois, the name Spaulding today is synonymous with Lake Springfield and City Water, Light and Power. But before Willis … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Coal mines and mining, Communities, Farming, Prominent figures | 10 Comments

Wheeland Haven, Riverton

Posted on June 25, 2014 by editor

In the early 1900s, in the midst of coal mines and cornfields east of Riverton, was a 17-acre oasis of beauty — Wheeland Haven, the home of Olive Black Wheeland and her husband Cyrus. Cyrus Wheeland was a farmer, grain … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, National Register, Parks, Prominent figures, Women | 17 Comments

Sangamon County farm statistics, 1860

Posted on April 25, 2014 by editor

The 1860 federal census of agriculture for Sangamon County reported the county had 2,237 farms encompassing a total of 379, 512 acres.  The average farm size was about 170 acres. County residents owned 12,607 horses, 8,121 milk cows, 17,363 beef … Continue reading →

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Adams Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

The Adams Wildlife Sanctuary in the 2300 block of Clear Lake Avenue was donated to the Illinois Audubon Society by Margery Adams, whose family had owned the property for more than 100 years. Margery Adams (1897-1983) lived in the home on … Continue reading →

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Black farmers at Chinkapin Hill

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Chinkapin Hill was the colloquial name for an area northwest of Springfield that was settled starting in the 1830s by a cluster of African-American farmers. Curtis Mann profiled the Chinkapin Hill settlement in the Sangamon County Historical Society’s newsletter, Historico, … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Agriculture, Early residents, Farming, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Cornelius Flagg Farmstead, Sherman

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

                                                  Flagg Farmstead, 2013 (SCHS photo) The Flagg Farmstead , 500 Old Tipton Road in Sherman … Continue reading →

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Illinois State Fair

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

This entry, first published in 2013, was significantly expanded in 2023. The first Illinois State Fair was held in Springfield in October 1853 under the direction of the Illinois State Agricultural Association. The association’s president, James N. Brown (considered the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Amusements, Buildings, Celebrations, Farming, Illinois capital | 3 Comments

Sangamon County Fair

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

Corrected entry; see below — ed. What essentially was the first Sangamon County Fair was an exhibition held Oct. 22, 1835, under sponsorship of the Sangamon County Agricultural Society. Winners at the first show were: John Todd and J.M. Shackleford, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Amusements, Celebrations, Farming, Maps, Sangamon County | Tagged | 1 Comment

Sangamon County farm memories

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

The Audio-Video Barn of the Illinois State Museum was created to collect oral histories about Illinois agriculture. The 130 “Stories from the Barn” include 18 by Sangamon County residents. They can be seen and heard as outlined below. Transcripts (.pdf … Continue reading →

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