Category Archives: Business

The potato matinee of 1925

Posted on March 30, 2015 by editor

The “potato matinee” of Christmas 1925 was the brainchild of longtime local theater manager Harry Thornton. It quickly went awry, the victim of its own success. Illinois State Journal editor/publisher J. Emil Smith, a friend of Thornton’s, heard the potato … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Children, Media, Prominent figures, Social life, Theaters | Leave a comment

Springfield Glove Co., 1912 (photo)

Posted on March 27, 2015 by editor

The Springfield Glove Co. employed about 15 people, most of them women, when this photo was taken for publication in Springfield: The Capital of the State of Illinois, published by the Springfield Commercial Association in 1912. Springfield Glove opened for … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Women | Leave a comment

Myers Brothers’ monkey

Posted on March 26, 2015 by editor

A monkey was a mainstay attraction of the second-floor boys’ shop at Myers Brothers Department Store in Springfield for much of the 1950s. Actually, there were at least two monkeys – “Weegee,” who went on display at Myers in 1952, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Children, Department stores | Leave a comment

Sangamon County/Springfield timeline, 1818-1840

Posted on February 17, 2015 by editor

The following timeline is taken from a handout distributed by Melinda Garvert for a talk she presented at the Iles House on Feb. 17, 2015. Reprinted with permission. 1818 —  Illinois becomes the 21st state in the union due to … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Illinois capital, Local government, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Springfield, State government | 14 Comments

Smokey’s Den

Posted on January 30, 2015 by editor

Smokey’s Den, originally at 127 N. Fifth St., was the first bar in Springfield that openly catered to gay men and women. When Smokey’s closed in 2003, after nearly four decades in business, it was thought to be the oldest … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Social life | Leave a comment

Rotary Club of Springfield

Posted on January 10, 2015 by editor

Rotary Club of Springfield, Illinois – the city’s original Rotary group and one of five local Rotarys in existence as of 2015 – held an organizational meeting, attended by 23 prospective members, on June 24, 1913, according to A Century … Continue reading →

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Vito Impastato (restaurateur, organized crime suspect)

Posted on December 14, 2014 by editor

Vito Impastato, though often suspected of crimes including kidnapping, bank robbery and murder, built an enduring career as a restaurant operator in Springfield. His restaurants began in the 1930s with the Club Holiday, MacArthur Boulevard and North Grand Avenue. Later, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Cadillac garage, 1912 (photo)

Posted on November 12, 2014 by editor

L. Lee Savage sold Cadillacs in Springfield from 1911 into 1914. His first dealership was at 312 W. Washington St. This photo, from 1912, shows Savage’s second location at Fifth Street and Lawrence Avenue. The Cadillac Co. of Springfield took … Continue reading →

Posted in Auto dealers, Business, Photos and photosets, Transportation | Leave a comment

Springfield in 1912 (‘General Facts’)

Posted on November 12, 2014 by editor

Above is a page from Springfield: The Capital of the State of Illinois (1912), published by the Springfield Commercial Association, a forerunner of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps the most illuminating “general fact” to the modern reader is … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Media, Photos and photosets, Railroads | Leave a comment

Maldaner’s restaurant

Posted on November 9, 2014 by editor

John Maldaner (1852-1924), the namesake founder of Maldaner’s restaurant, got his start at age 14, making cakes and candies for a confectioner on the north side of what is now the Old Capitol Plaza. He went into the confectionery business … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, First Citizens, Prominent figures, Restaurants | Leave a comment