Category Archives: Historic Sites

Lincoln Tomb reconstruction and rededication, 1930-31

Posted on April 4, 2014 by editor

President Herbert Hoover rededicated the Lincoln Tomb in front of a massive crowd on June 17, 1931. The occasion was the reopening of the tomb following a complete reconstruction, including a new interior. When the memorial was erected in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, National Register, Presidents | Tagged | Leave a comment

1850s Springfield, in four mysterious paintings

Posted on March 18, 2014 by editor

The four paintings below show all four sides of the Springfield square in the late 1840s or early 1850s. They are unusual in two ways: their perspective, presumably from the cupola of what now is the Old State Capitol; and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Historic Sites, Histories, Hotels & taverns, Illustrations, Maps, Photos and photosets, Prominent figures, Springfield, State government | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Destruction of the Lincoln Tomb sarcophagus

Posted on January 3, 2014 by editor

How did the marble sarcophagus that covered the coffin of Abraham Lincoln in the early years of the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site come to be broken?  Was it a workmen’s accident? Or was it done on purpose by souvenir … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Museums, State government | 2 Comments

Emmet Pearson

Posted on December 29, 2013 by editor

Dr. Emmet Pearson, a Springfield physician, was instrumental in the restoration of what now is the Broadwell Inn/Clayville Historic Site. He was named Springfield’s First Citizen in 1992, partly because of his historic preservation activities. See Broadwell Inn.

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Sangamon County historic landmarks

Posted on November 18, 2013 by editor

As of February 2021, nine sites had been designated historic landmarks by Sangamon County. They were: *The George Power Courthouse (Cantrall) *The Brunk Farmstead (Rochester) *The Lincoln-Van Buren Trail (between Rochester and Springfield) *Sangamon Ordnance Plant water tower (Illiopolis) *Inn … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Sangamon County | 2 Comments

Susan Lawrence Dana

Posted on November 16, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in July 2023. See “Hat tips” below. Susan Lawrence Dana (1862-1946) was a Springfield socialite, activist and philanthropist best known for commissioning architect Frank Lloyd Wright to transform her family’s Civil War-era home at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Historic Sites, Museums, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, Social services, State government, Women | 2 Comments

Judge John Wickliffe Taylor House

Posted on November 9, 2013 by editor

The 20-room Judge John Taylor House built in 1857, housed the Home and Hospital for Fallen Women starting in 1868 and later the Ambidexter Institute, an “industrial school” primarily for African American boys. The Taylor home, 12th and Cass streets … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Architecture, Buildings, Early residents, Historic Sites, Women | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 | 15 Comments

Broadwell Inn

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Moses Broadwell (1764-1827), a Revolutionary War veteran, moved to Sangamon County with his family in 1820 and settled along Richland Creek, a mile east of the present-day community of Pleasant Plains. There they built a home and a traveler’s inn … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Early residents, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The Bunn family

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Grocer Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-97) and his younger brother John Whitfield Bunn (1831-1920) began a family whose energy and initiative have helped mold Springfield for more than 150 years.  Their business interests have ranged from the original Springfield Marine Bank … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments