Category Archives: Historic Sites

Sangamon County’s Confederate memorial

Posted on August 19, 2017 by editor

Note:  Camp Butler itself (see link below) describes its Confederate obelisk as a “monument.” However, it probably is more accurate to call it a “memorial,” because the obelisk was erected, as its inscription says, in memory of  Confederate soldiers buried … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Markers, Military | 4 Comments

Stephen T. Logan (Lincoln law partner)

Posted on August 9, 2017 by editor

Springfield had more than its share of star lawyers – Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas and others – in the 1830s and ‘40s. But everybody agreed the best trial lawyer on the circuit was a short, cranky Kentucky native named … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

John S. Condell memoir, 1840s

Posted on June 18, 2017 by editor

John S. Condell Sr. (1818-1907), born in Ireland, arrived in Springfield by way of Philadelphia and Carrollton in 1841. Condell was one of Springfield’s pioneer merchants, operating stores on the downtown square for more than 40 years. One of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Historic Sites, Histories, Prominent figures, Social life | 5 Comments

Pensacola

Posted on March 19, 2017 by editor

“Pensacola” was the name given to a tiny, unincorporated community in Cotton Hill Township, southeast of Springfield, in the 1800s. The area is designated for inundation if and when Hunter Lake is ever created as a backup water source for … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Early residents, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Mills, Politics, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Price-Prather House, Williamsville (National Register)

Posted on February 16, 2017 by editor

Williamsville’s Price-Prather House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places partly for its architectural features, but the building’s early owners, especially J. Frank Prather (1859-1927), played major roles in development of the beef cattle industry in Sangamon County, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Farming, Historic Sites, Prominent figures | 6 Comments

Ben F. Caldwell: politician, farmer, banker

Posted on February 7, 2017 by editor

Ben Franklin Caldwell (1848-1924) was a member of Congress and the Illinois legislature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also was a farmer, banker and civic leader whose donations helped build schools in both Chatham and Thayer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Fires, Historic Sites, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts | 9 Comments

Old Stone House, Rochester

Posted on September 7, 2016 by editor

The Old Stone House, a project of the Rochester Historical Preservation Society, is an 1830s dwelling moved from its original site east of town to near Rochester Community Park. It is open periodically as a living history demonstration. The house … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Communities, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Markers, Museums | 1 Comment

Historical markers in Sangamon County

Posted on July 8, 2016 by editor

The Historical Marker Database lists 101 markers in Sangamon County. Most are part of the Looking for Lincoln and Lincoln Home marker series, but the database includes others as well. A check of a dozen marker descriptions  indicates the database’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites | 4 Comments

Irwin’s Park (‘Irwin’s Grove’)

Posted on April 2, 2016 by editor

Irwin’s Park, two miles north of Auburn off Illinois 4, is probably the oldest public meeting place in Sangamon County. For many years, it was also one of the most popular. Today, the property, operated by Auburn Township and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Celebrations, Coal mines and mining, Historic Sites, Markers, Parks, Sports and recreation | 9 Comments

Spring Creek Covered Bridge fire, 1977

Posted on November 17, 2015 by editor

A covered bridge spanning Spring Creek west of Springfield was destroyed in what was thought to be an arson fire on Dec. 26, 1977. The bridge – known as the Spring Creek Covered Bridge, the Riddle Hill Bridge or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Historic Sites, Transportation | 2 Comments