Category Archives: Ethnic groups

New Dennis Williams portrait (a detective story)

Posted on November 2, 2021 by editor

This entry has been updated. See below. Dennis Williams was a rarity in 1880s Springfield: a successful African American artist and businessman. Only a few examples of his art are known to exist today. Now there’s one more, thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts and letters, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

First burial of a Japanese

Posted on October 25, 2021 by editor

Johei “Joe” Okuhara probably was the first ethnic Japanese to be buried in Springfield, and his also may have been the first Muslim funeral. However, his friends wanted the city to know, he did not live – or die – … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Ethnic groups, Japanese, Media, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

First burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery

Posted on August 27, 2021 by editor

  Eliza Helmle, the infant daughter of Carl Albert and Marie Helmle, was the first person buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, according to cemetery records. A handwritten cemetery ledger says Eliza died of “teething” at nine months old; the record … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Germans, Markers, Oak Ridge signs | 2 Comments

‘Bird Lady’: A Lithuanian immigrant mother’s life in Springfield

Posted on August 3, 2021 by editor

On the day in 1912 when 16-year-old Mary Ann Yezdauskas arrived in Springfield from Lithuania, her brother took her to the elegant Bressmer’s Department Store to buy a new coat. Then the sister and brother posed together in their finery … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Family life, Lithuanians, Lithuanians, Women | 10 Comments

Skyrocket Inn

Posted on June 30, 2021 by editor

What to do after a long day – and night – at the Illinois State Fair? The after-fair, after-hours mecca for everyone from carnies to Hell’s Angels to local movers and shakers was the Skyrocket Inn, right across the street … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Hotels & taverns, Illinois State Fair, Lithuanians, Lithuanians, Social life | 3 Comments

Dennis Williams, crayon artist

Posted on June 24, 2021 by editor

  This entry, originally written in 2013, was greatly expanded and corrected in 2021, thanks to the research of Mary Frances of Springfield. See “Contributor” note at end. Updates:  See photo caption below, and also see SangamonLink’s entry New Dennis … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts and letters, Business, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Engine House 5 (“the colored firehouse”)

Posted on May 12, 2021 by editor

Engine House 5, 1310 E. Adams St., was known as Springfield’s “colored firehouse” from its construction in 1901 until after its fire company moved to a new building in 1954. “The Springfield Fire Department routinely gave Five the worst of … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Buildings, Local government, Markers | Leave a comment

Palace Theatre

Posted on May 9, 2021 by editor

When the Palace Theatre opened at 1836 S. 15th St. in 1915, the “very pretty little house” became a venue where downtown movies were brought to Springfield’s southeast side. Despite its grand name, the theater was very small– about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Swabians, Theaters, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Mumblety-peg slaying, 1889

Posted on April 28, 2021 by editor

Theophilus “Moonlight” Waldron was a 15-year-old orphan, living on the streets and by his wits, when he stabbed to death a man over a game of mumblety-peg. Waldron (1874-?) was sentenced to life in prison for murder, a judgement many … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Crime and vice, Journalism, Law enforcement, Media | 1 Comment

Zinc works, Devereux Heights

Posted on April 11, 2021 by editor

Spanish immigrants were skilled zinc workers, but they were also tough labor negotiators, managers of Springfield’s zinc smelter learned. The smelter, owned first by the United Zinc & Chemical Co. and then the National Zinc. Co., operated off Peoria Road … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Coal mines and mining, Ethnic groups, Industry, Prominent figures, Spanish | 2 Comments