Category Archives: Disasters

John Bressmer Co.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

The John W. Bressmer Co. was founded as a dry goods store in 1861 and later expanded into a full-fledged department store, selling men’s and women’s clothing, furniture and household items. With Myers Brothers, it was one of downtown Springfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Business, Department stores, Disasters, Historic Sites, National Register, Prominent figures | 14 Comments

The Deep Snow

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Snow began falling in central Illinois on Christmas Eve 1830 and didn’t let up for nine weeks, according to a later memoir by the Rev. John Bergen. At the same time, the temperature fell to zero and below — as … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Early residents, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Illinois State Fairgrounds Dome Building

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

The Dome Building, which was on the Illinois State Fairgrounds from 1895 to 1917, originally was built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The glass dome, 222 feet in diameter, was the world’s second-largest unsupported dome. Following the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Disasters, Spectacles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Illinois State Arsenal (1903)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the new Illinois State Arsenal  at Second and Monroe streets on June 4, 1903. The structure, designed by Bullard & Bullard architects and built at a cost of $150,000 by the Culver Stone and Marble Co., … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Buildings, Celebrations, Disasters, Lincoln, Abraham, Military, Museums, Race riot of 1908, Sports and recreation, State government | 7 Comments

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 , | 9 Comments

Race riot deaths

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Springfield race riot of Aug. 14-15, 1908 was unique in that more whites died than blacks. “This was due no doubt to the armed blacks, defending themselves and their interests in the Levee,” reported Carole Merritt in Something So … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Disasters, Law enforcement, Race riot of 1908 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Race riot of 1908

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

At least 11 people died and many more were injured in connection with the Springfield race riot of August 1908. Another casualty was the image that Springfield, Abraham Lincoln’s home town, was immune to the racial discord that characterized American … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Disasters, Law enforcement, Markers, Race riot of 1908, Resources, Springfield | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Springfield tornado of 1957

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

The storm that forever repudiated the theory that Springfield was immune to tornadoes occurred at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 1957. The storm — later designated as F4 in severity — swept through the south side of Springfield, killing … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters | Tagged | 1 Comment

The ‘Sudden Change’

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

When John Carroll Power was collecting material for his 1876 history of Sangamon County’s early settlers, he was frequently asked, “Has any person told you about the sudden change?” Several old-timers recalled to him the bizarre events of Dec. 20, … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Early residents | Leave a comment