Category Archives: Ethnic groups

Harry Taylor, first Black firefighter

Posted on August 20, 2017 by editor

Harry Taylor (1861-1928) was Springfield’s first African-American firefighter, but became better known as a Springfield police officer and detective. Positions on both the police and fire departments were patronage appointments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Taylor was … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Crime and vice, Ethnic groups, Law enforcement, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

‘Murder by abortion,’ 1946

Posted on July 17, 2017 by editor

A Springfield osteopath was convicted of murder after allegedly conducting an abortion that led to the death of a 19-year-old woman in 1946. Ronald U. Tilley (1897-1966) was sentenced to 18 years in prison, but the Illinois Supreme Court overturned … Continue reading →

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Springfield park names

Posted on June 10, 2017 by editor

Parks in the Springfield Park District have taken their names from U.S. presidents, local pioneers, subdivisions, donors and others. Here is a list of parks and their name derivations as of summer 2017. Bergen. 2900 Clear Lake Ave. The Springfield … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Early residents, Parks, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | 1 Comment

First African-American alderman

Posted on May 1, 2017 by editor

Frank B. Hicklin was the first African-American member of the Springfield City Council, serving from 1895 to 1897. See First African-American to hold public office. This entry has been corrected. 

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Hicklin family (African-American activists, politicians)

Posted on May 1, 2017 by editor

Hezkiah Hicklin was the first African-American to hold public office in Sangamon County. His son, Frank Hicklin, was Springfield’s first black alderman. And Martha Hicklin, Hezkiah’s wife, played leading roles in local social and historical groups. See First African-American to … Continue reading →

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First African-American to hold public office

Posted on May 1, 2017 by editor

Springfield’s Hicklin family provided two of Sangamon County’s earliest successful black politicians, as well as leadership in the local civil rights and African-American history movements. Hezkiah Hicklin (1835-1904) was the first black person in the county to hold public office, … Continue reading →

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Poisoning and racial controversy, 1860

Posted on April 7, 2017 by editor

The sentencing of three African-American teenagers in 1860 on charges they tried to poison the employers of two of them highlighted differences in how courts and the newspapers treated blacks and whites at the time. Perhaps inevitably, the case also … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, African Americans, Crime and vice, Journalism, Law enforcement, Media, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Pizza in Springfield

Posted on February 24, 2017 by editor

Springfieldians got their first taste of pizza at The Wonder Inn tavern, 808 E. Washington St., in 1947. Fred and Anna Viele, who operated The Wonder Inn, began marketing “La Pizza” as “something new and tasty from Italy” in February … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Hotels & taverns, Italians, Restaurants | 11 Comments

Beach desegregation lawsuit, 1916

Posted on January 25, 2017 by editor

Black residents of Springfield filed suit after three African-American men were blocked from swimming at the new Bunn Park Beach shortly after it opened in 1916. Courts ultimately rejected the suit on technicalities. See Women’s bathing suit controversy, 1916.

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Women’s bathing suit controversy, 1916

Posted on January 23, 2017 by editor

Springfield women’s rights activist Harriett Reid made fun of the Springfield Park Board’s 1916 directive that women’s swimsuits at the new Bunn Park Beach include skirts. The park board had voted 5-1 to impose the restriction, which was sponsored by … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Local government, Parks, Women | Leave a comment