Category Archives: Business

Street car ‘war’ of 1890

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s street car “war” of 1890 actually consisted of several months’ worth of legal and political maneuvering between two local street car operators, although a brief confrontation on Spring Street did leave the president of one of the companies with … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Local government, Transportation | Tagged | 2 Comments

Torrence Mill

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

The Torrence Mill, one of the last watermills to operate in Sangamon County, was on the South Fork of the Sangamon River in Cotton Hill Township, north of modern-day New City Road. The Torrence Mill dates to the late 1830s. … Continue reading →

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W. H. Roland women’s clothing store

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

W. H. Roland, who owned a Bloomington women’s clothing store, opened his second outlet in downtown Springfield in 1912. Contents of the Roland store on the east side of the Old Capitol Plaza were badly damaged by smoke and water … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Weaver extortion and shootout, 1930

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s police superintendent narrowly missed being shot to death while on a stakeout related to an extortion attempt aimed at a prominent businesswoman in 1930. Police superintendent T.P. Sullivan and a special police officer were patrolling near the home of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Tagged | 1 Comment

Weaver Manufacturing

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

Weaver Manufacturing, founded in Springfield by brothers Ira and Gailard Weaver, was for a time the nation’s largest manufacturer of automobile garage equipment, such as jacks, safety test equipment, hydraulic presses and other items. Ira “I.A.” Weaver (1871-1965), was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 31 Comments

WICS television

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

WICS signed on for the first time on Sept. 30, 1953, broadcasting the World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees, according to Doug Quick, who has compiled a massive online history of central Illinois broadcasting. The station’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business | Tagged , | 2 Comments

John Williams (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

John Williams (1808-90) was an early Springfield merchant and later, according to his Illinois State Journal obituary, a banker, railroad developer, mine owner and farmer. A friend and political ally of Abraham Lincoln, Williams later was a member of the … Continue reading →

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Rechner’s Bakery

Posted on May 22, 2013 by editor

Rechner’s Bakery, founded by August Rechner early in the 20th century, was known for its buttercake. The business closed in the 1980s. Bob Cavanagh recounted Rechner’s history in an Illinois Times article published in 2004. IT’s Julianne Glatz explored the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | Tagged | 24 Comments

A. C. Connor’s Meat Market

Posted on May 22, 2013 by editor

A.C. Connor opened Springfield’s first cash-and-carry meat market at 628 E. Washington St. in 1907. From left: A. C. Connor, Howard Nation, Harvey Connor, Mable Worthington, Julius Schlauber, Joe Englehart and Mr. Cadwallader. Original content copyright Sangamon County Historical Society. You are … Continue reading →

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Curran

Posted on April 21, 2013 by editor

Curran was founded in the 1830s and laid out in the 1850s, when a store and post office also were established. However, the community wasn’t formally incorporated until 2005, when area residents decided to seek aid to build a sewer … Continue reading →

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