Category Archives: Buildings

Lincoln-Herndon law office building, 1886 (photo)

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Abraham Lincoln shared offices on the third floor of this building at Sixth and Adams streets with two of his three law partners — Stephen T. Logan, 1843-44, and William H. Herndon from 1844 to 1860. The second floor housed … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Photos and photosets | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gov. Joel Matteson mansion

Posted on October 15, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s most elaborate early dwelling was that of former governor Joel Matteson (1808-73; governor, 1853-57). Matteson had moved into the then-new Executive Mansion during his gubernatorial term, but found it to be “dull and unfashionable.” So, Paul Angle reported in … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Illinois capital, Maps, Prominent figures, State government | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Larkin Mead, Lincoln Tomb designer

Posted on October 15, 2013 by editor

Larkin Mead (1835-1910), who designed the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, got his artistic start from a snow angel. Not the kind children make by lying down in snow, but an 8-foot-tall, highly detailed snow statue of the biblical Recording … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Buildings, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Museums, Presidents | Tagged | 1 Comment

Pillsbury Mills

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

This entry was significantly expanded in 2021 and slightly updated in 2022. Springfield got the official word that Pillsbury Mills wanted to build a major flour processing plant locally on May 8, 1929. Springfield had been in competition with cities … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry | Tagged | 33 Comments

Robin Roberts Stadium

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Robin Roberts Stadium, then named Reservoir Park, opened on May 12, 1925. About 12,000 people watched a Three-I League baseball game between the Springfield Senators and the Terre Haute Hottentots. The Senators remained a Three-I team until 1949, then switched … Continue reading →

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

Sangamon County Jail, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey 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 “mental defectives, the insane … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Law enforcement, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

See Second Presbyterian Church.

Posted in Abolitionism, Buildings, Churches | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Second Presbyterian Church

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s Second Presbyterian Church (now known as Westminster Presbyterian Church), was founded in May 1835, when 30 members of First Presbyterian Church split from the parent congregation. Although some researchers ascribe the split to a dispute over slavery, with Second … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Buildings, Churches | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Springfield in 1867 (map)

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Although not to scale, the 1867 bird’s-eye view of Springfield drawn by A. Ruger for the Chicago Lithographing Co. is considered accurate in its placement and depiction of city buildings and streets. Note that the map is oriented with north … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Churches, Maps, Railroads | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Springfield Woolen Mills

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Woolen Mills produced woolen cloth and textiles for Central Illinois and consumers around the United States.  The mills operated from 1834 until 1906. For much of that time, the operation was housed in a three-story brick plant on … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Mills, Prominent figures | 2 Comments