Category Archives: Amusements

Harry Loper (1908 race riot)

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Harry Loper, a successful white restaurateur, owned one of the few motorcars in Springfield in 1908. So when Sangamon County Sheriff Charles Werner wanted to move two black accused murderers out of the county jail before a white mob stormed … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Coal mines and mining, Disasters, Prominent figures, Race riot of 1908 | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mildred Park (Bunn Park)

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

Mildred Park had rides, a swimming, boating and fishing lagoon with a suspension bridge and other attractions. The area is now Bunn Park. The suspension bridge was the site of a near-tragedy on Aug. 16,1905, when one of its cables … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Disasters, Early residents, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Tagged , | 10 Comments

The Orpheum Theatre

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

The Orpheum Theatre in the 100 block of North Fifth Street was Springfield’s preeminent movie palace from 1927 to 1965. It was demolished to make way for expansion by the Illinois National Bank. The theater, with a spectacular Art Deco … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Spectacles, Theaters | Tagged , | 2 Comments

‘The Power of Music’, Jefferson House hotel, 1885 (painting)

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

This painting, a gift to Lincoln Library’s Sangamon Valley Collection from Dr. James Donelan, depicts a red-coated trumpeter whose music disturbs hotel patrons, makes women and police officers faint, and upsets children, dogs and goats. The Jefferson House (“Good accommodations, … Continue reading →

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Radio brings the 1929 World Series to Springfield (photo)

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

A group of men listens to the World Series by radio at A. Dirksen & Sons furniture store, 412 E. Washington St., on Oct. 29, 1929. The Philadelphia Athletics, under Connie Mack, won the game, 3-2, and the series, 4 … Continue reading →

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Rudolph Opera House

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

See Robert Rudolph.

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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

Shaheen’s Springfield Speedway

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Joe Shaheen (1905-89)  operated the Springfield Speedway on the southeast corner of Dirksen Parkway and Clear Lake Avenue from 1947 to 1988. Shaheen’s, also known as Little Springfield, was  a quarter-mile dirt oval. Races over the years featured midgets, stock … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Sports and recreation, Transportation, Uncategorized | 18 Comments

Washington Park children’s corner, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey, where this photo originated, was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. Topics covered included schools, care of … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Children, Sports and recreation, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

Washington Park

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

Washington Park is one of the largest and the most popular of the parks in the Springfield Park District system. Built in 1900-01, the park is home to lagoons, tennis courts, and playgrounds as well as a botanical garden and … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Sports and recreation | Tagged | 1 Comment