Category Archives: Military

Gen. James Henry

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

James D. Henry (1797-1834), gained the title of “General” via his acknowledged exceptional leadership during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Henry, who arrived in Springfield in 1826, was elected sheriff in 1827 and was operating a store on the … Continue reading →

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Lyman Hubbard Sr.

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Lyman Hubbard Sr. (1927-2012) was a career U.S. Air Force pilot and the only Springfieldian to be a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed all-black World War II air squadron. Hubbard, who flew B-25 bombers during World War II, … Continue reading →

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Illinois State Arsenal (1903)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the new Illinois State Arsenal  at Second and Monroe streets on June 4, 1903. The structure, designed by Bullard & Bullard architects and built at a cost of $150,000 by the Culver Stone and Marble Co., … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Buildings, Celebrations, Disasters, Lincoln, Abraham, Military, Museums, Race riot of 1908, Sports and recreation, State government | 7 Comments

Revolutionary War veterans buried in Sangamon County

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

This entry has been updated. A marker on the Old Capitol Plaza identifies 27 veterans of the American Revolution who are buried in Sangamon County, but that figure probably identifies only half of the patriots whose final resting places are … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Markers, Military, Prominent figures, Resources | Tagged | 2 Comments

Howard Knotts

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Howard Knotts (1895-1942) shot down six German planes in less than a month during World War I, winning the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross and the British Distinguished Flying Cross. He was downstate Illinois’ only “flying ace” during World War I. … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Military, Prominent figures | Tagged | 1 Comment

Lafore Lock

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Note: This entry was significantly expanded in July 2021. Springfield’s Lafore Lock Post 755 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is named after World War I U.S. Army Pvt. Farley Lafore Lock. Lock died Oct. 18, 1918, of wounds he … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 5 Comments

P-51D aircraft (National Register)

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

A U.S. Army P-51D aircraft, the top-performing fighter plane in World War II, housed at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The plane has won a variety of restoration awards. Aircraft are eligible … Continue reading →

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Planes flown by Illinois National Guard, Springfield

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

Planes flown by the Illinois Air National Guard based in Springfield: Sept. 30, 1945: 170th Fighter Squadron recognized as Air National Guard unit flying P-51 Mustang 1953: Converts to F-86 Sabre Jet (Corrected; see comments) 1955: Converts to F-84F Thunderstreak … Continue reading →

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Santa Anna’s artificial leg

Posted on October 8, 2013 by editor

One of the more popular attractions at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield is the artificial leg that belonged to Mexican General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, conqueror of the Alamo. The limb was captured during the battle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Military, Museums, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 2 Comments

U.S. Grant in Springfield

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

Ulysses S. Grant’s rise to commander of U.S. forces in the Civil War began at dinner in a now-anonymous Springfield hotel. Because of his earlier military career, Grant had agreed to accompany a company of Union volunteers from Galena to … Continue reading →

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