Category Archives: Prominent figures

Former fire chief killed in World’s Fair blaze, 1893

Posted on June 22, 2023 by editor

Seventeen people died in a spectacular fire during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. One was former Springfield Fire Marshal John H. Freeman. Following his second stint as fire marshal (today’s fire chief), Freeman enlisted with the World’s Fair fire company. … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Fires, Local government, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Springfield loses a newspaper, 1919

Posted on June 14, 2023 by editor

The News-Record, the last credible challenger to the Illinois State Journal and Illinois State Register in Springfield’s daily newspaper market, published its final edition on May 5, 1919. The closure was a good deal for everybody concerned … except maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Communications, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Saloon free lunches

Posted on May 18, 2023 by editor

In November 1927, Illinois State Journal writer A.L. Bowen embarked on a three-day series of columns remembering the restaurants, saloons and hotels that dotted downtown Springfield when he arrived in the city at the turn of the 20th century. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Social life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Drowning of Mayor Griffiths, 1907

Posted on May 12, 2023 by editor

Springfield Mayor David Griffiths and Fire Chief Peter Jacobs were on their way to a day of fishing June 12, 1907. When they took a wrong turn, their buggy overturned in a Sangamon River backwater slough. Neither man could swim. … Continue reading →

Posted in Illustrations, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Sangamon River | Leave a comment

Sam Willis, chef

Posted on April 30, 2023 by editor

Thousands of African-Americans fled Springfield in the wake of the 1908 race riot. The city’s best chef may have been one. Samuel Willis (1856-1920), a native of Virginia, moved to Springfield in the 1870s. He apparently learned the restaurant business … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

John Rinaker Jr., architect

Posted on April 20, 2023 by editor

The cornerstone was laid for the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on July 4, 1894. The granite stone, hewn by the Springfield firm of Richter & Doland, was inserted in a corner nook of the building. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Illinois State Fair, Local government, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Camp Tanner (Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1898)

Posted on April 17, 2023 by editor

Ten thousand Illinois militia flooded the Illinois State Fairgrounds less than a week after the start of the Spanish-American War. They left the fairgrounds – renamed “Camp Tanner” for the duration – almost as quickly as they arrived. The operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois State Fair, Military, Prominent figures, State government | Leave a comment

FBI bugs Frank Zito hangout, 1965

Posted on April 11, 2023 by editor

When FBI agents successfully planted a surveillance microphone in mobster Frank Zito’s hangout in 1965, their superiors nominated them for letters of commendation. Top brass in Washington, however, counseled patience. “(S)ince this is a newly established source,” Washington officials wrote, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Dreamland Park/Amos Duncan

Posted on April 6, 2023 by editor

“To my way of thinking, the colored people should at least have a place where they can congregate for the purpose of holding picnics, celebrations and public gatherings,” Sangamon County Republican Party chairman George Fish told the Illinois State Journal … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Business, Law enforcement, Parks, Prominent figures, Social services, Sports and recreation, Theaters | 1 Comment

John D. Waters and Highland Farms

Posted on March 23, 2023 by editor

John D. Waters built a livestock empire in eastern Sangamon County. He also built a mansion south of Dawson that was known for, among other things, the large meteorite that adorned the front yard. “He was one of the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Family life, Farming, Prominent figures | Leave a comment