Category Archives: Department stores

Kresge shootout, 1933

Posted on September 13, 2024 by editor

A wild shootout erupted when police detectives interrupted a stickup at the Kresge store in downtown Springfield the day after Christmas 1933. As bullets flew, the robbers jumped into a waiting car and drove away. One officer  followed in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Department stores, Law enforcement | Leave a comment

Christmas at the Wonder Store, 1881

Posted on December 21, 2023 by editor

Frank Myers was no relation to Springfield’s later department store dynasty, the Myers Brothers, but he apparently had some of the same merchandising instincts – down to the monkeys both used as advertising gimmicks. From the 1870s to 1904, Myers’ … Continue reading →

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

Roberts Brothers (men’s clothing)

Posted on December 11, 2022 by editor

In the cold, early morning hours of December 12, 1974, smoke billowed from the roof of Roberts Brothers clothing store in downtown Springfield. A fire had started on the second floor, and the Springfield Fire Department was alerted when a … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures | 6 Comments

White Oaks Mall opening day lineup (1977)

Posted on June 27, 2022 by editor

“Think of us as your Big Apple,” White Oaks Mall boasted in ads on Grand Opening Day, Aug. 24, 1977. Ninety-nine stores lined the corridors of the mall that day, including four “anchor” department stores – Myers Brothers, Famous-Barr, Sears … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Business, Department stores, Social life, Spectacles | Leave a comment

R.F. Herndon & Co. (dry goods, women’s clothing)

Posted on September 21, 2021 by editor

R.F. Herndon & Co. sold dry goods, women’s clothing and hats for more than 130 years in Springfield. Herndon’s operated the first horseless delivery vehicle in Springfield, and its third location featured one of Springfield’s first passenger elevators, an innovation … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

First passenger elevator (1876)

Posted on September 19, 2021 by editor

What apparently was Sangamon County’s first passenger elevator was installed at a dry-goods store, Kimber & Ragsdale, on the south side of today’s Old Capitol Plaza, in 1876. Kimber & Ragsdale, owned by W.F. Kimber (1836-1911) and Thomas Ragsdale (1812-92), … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Department stores | 1 Comment

S.A. Barker Co.

Posted on June 5, 2021 by editor

Samuel A. Barker began his apparel career as a “bundle boy,” gathering discarded garments from shop floors for sorting and cleaning. He ended it as the owner of S.A. Barker Co., one of Springfield’s best-known women’s clothing stores. Barker (1885-1968) … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Department stores, Prominent figures | 4 Comments

J.C. Penney store, Springfield

Posted on May 17, 2020 by editor

J.C. Penney’s Springfield store was the 1,001st in the chain when it opened on Oct. 5, 1928. “Large crowds attended the formal opening yesterday of the new J.C. Penney company store at 522 East Adams street,” the Illinois State Journal … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Department stores, Fires | 3 Comments

Second Christmas parade (1929)

Posted on December 8, 2017 by editor

Correction: This entry has been retitled. The first Christmas parade (smaller and less formal) in Springfield was held in 1914. You can read about it here. Embarrasssed apologies from SangamonLink’s editor, who wrote both entries, for forgetting the first one. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Celebrations, Children, Department stores, Depression, Spectacles | 1 Comment

Carl Rinnus, popular sculpture

Posted on August 13, 2017 by editor

Carl Rinnus (1912-93) is best known as the sculptor/fabricator of the giant fiberglass statue of Abraham Lincoln that stands just inside the Main Gate at the Illinois State Fair. He also created another locally famous piece of Springfield sculpture, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Department stores, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | 5 Comments