Category Archives: Resources

Race riot of 1908

Update: On Aug. 16, 2024, President Joe Biden designated an area along Springfield’s 10th Street railroad tracks the Springfield Race Riot National Monument. The new monument takes in the remains of five homes destroyed during the riot. The structures were … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Disasters, Fever River, Historic Sites, Law enforcement, Markers, Race riot of 1908, Resources, Springfield | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Sangamo Township

Before Sangamon County was created in January 1821, its territory was divided between Madison and Bond counties (mostly in Madison). Between the arrival of the first settler in 1817 and the ultimate formation of the county in 1821, a significant … Continue reading

Posted in Early residents, Local government, Native Americans, Prehistory, Resources, Sangamon County, Springfield | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sangamon County farm memories

The Audio-Video Barn of the Illinois State Museum was created to collect oral histories about Illinois agriculture. The 130 “Stories from the Barn” include 18 by Sangamon County residents. They can be seen and heard as outlined below. Transcripts (.pdf … Continue reading

Posted in Agriculture, Farming, Resources, Sangamon County | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sangamon County Historical Society publications

The Sangamon County Historical Society has published 36 books, pamphlets and program booklets since 1965, on subjects ranging from Abraham Lincoln sculpture to the local chili culture to Springfield’s most powerful crime boss. Most of the publications remain in print … Continue reading

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Springfield Survey, 1914

The Springfield Survey was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. The survey was initiated by a group of Springfield citizens who were … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Children, Education, Law enforcement, Local government, Medicine, Parks, Photos and photosets, Public health, Resources, Schools and school districts, Social services, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | 4 Comments