Category Archives: African Americans

‘Cocaine Alley’ (1899-1903)

Posted on August 7, 2016 by editor

Note: This entry is based on research done by Floyd Mansberger and Christopher Stratton of Fever River Research for the city of Springfield and Federal Railroad Administration in connection with the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. Their full 358-page report, published … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Local government, Public health, Race riot of 1908, Social life | 4 Comments

A. Morris Williams (lawyer, developer)

Posted on July 11, 2016 by editor

A. Morris Williams was a prominent African-American attorney and real estate developer in Springfield from the 1900s to the 1930s. See Dudley Hotel.

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Dudley Hotel

Posted on July 11, 2016 by editor

The Negro Motorist Green Book, a nationwide guide for the African-American traveler, for 20 years listed only one hotel in Springfield as open to blacks: the Dudley Hotel, 130 S. 11th St. The Dudley and its predecessors at the same … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Buildings, Business, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Jack Johnson (boxing champion)

Posted on April 12, 2016 by editor

“Battle royals” in Springfield were a springboard to fame for boxer Jack Johnson, who went on to become the first African-American heavyweight champion. Johnson (1878-1946) was tutored in Springfield by Johnny Connors (1867-1966), a  boxer himself as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | 1 Comment

Richard Pryor (comedian)

Posted on January 12, 2016 by editor

Comedian Richard Pryor (1940-2005) famously grew up in a house of prostitution operated by his father’s mother in Peoria, but he briefly lived in Springfield with his mother and maternal grandparents. Pryor’s mother, Gertrude Thomas Pryor (later Emanuel), also was … Continue reading →

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Black Civil War veterans buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery

Posted on January 9, 2016 by editor

At least 28 African-American Civil War veterans are buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, according to Kathleen Heyworth’s Private Lewis Martin and African-American Civil War Soldiers in Springfield, Illinois (2015). The following list, taken from Heyworth’s research, lists each … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Military | 1 Comment

Black Civil War soldier’s POW experience

Posted on January 8, 2016 by editor

Isaac Gaskin (ca. 1847-1900), born a slave in Mississippi, served with the 29th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War and was captured by Confederates in the botched Battle of the Crater outside Petersburg, Va., on July 30, … Continue reading →

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Jenrose Wilson (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Jenrose Wilson was born in Alton and moved to Springfield when she was 12. By age 16, she was married and had had her first child. She lived in St. Louis, Alton and Chicago before returning to Springfield, where she … Continue reading →

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Charles Wilson (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Charles Wilson was born and raised in Springfield. His grandparents raised him after his mother was killed in a car accident. While living with his grandparents, Charles discovered that his great-grandfather , William Donnegan, was a lynching victim in the … Continue reading →

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William Washington (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Born in Springfield, William Washington graduated from Lanphier High School and Springfield Junior College.  He started the Springfield’s Voice newspaper in 1972. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Washington discussed the old black-owned business neighborhoods that were … Continue reading →

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