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Category Archives: Spectacles
The governor takes a wife (1896)
Gov. John Riley Tanner “was addicted to pomp and circumstance,” Robert P. Howard wrote in Mostly Good and Competent Men, Howard’s 1988 guide to Illinois’ chief executives. If so, Tanner lived his best life in December 1896 and January 1897. … Continue reading
Electioneering in early Springfield
As the 1930 political season got started, Illinois State Journal editor/columnist J. Emil Smith noted, with some regret, that Springfield probably wouldn’t see a classic torchlight parade, the kind he remembered from his youth. Here’s an excerpt from Smith’s “Making … Continue reading
Posted in Celebrations, Politics, Portuguese, Spectacles
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Philemon Stout’s big party (1898)
Philemon Stout knew how to throw a party. It was 1898, and Stout (1822-1910) had had a good life. He owned nearly 2,000 acres of prime farmland near Cotton Hill. He had served as school trustee, highway commissioner, and justice … Continue reading
Posted in Amusements, Celebrations, Early residents, Farming, Prominent figures, Social life, Spectacles
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Mary Lincoln funeral, 1882
Thousands of people viewed Abraham Lincoln’s body between the time of his assassination on April 14, 1865, and his burial two weeks later. By contrast, only relatives and friends were given access to a private viewing following the death of … Continue reading
Posted in Lincoln, Abraham, Presidents, Prominent figures, Spectacles, Women
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Kayport Package Express implodes, 1983
Founder F. George Celani called Kayport Package Express a “41-day miracle” when the shipping startup went into business at Capital Airport on March 1, 1983. About 1,200 Springfield dignitaries attended the ceremony, which included champagne, a high-school band and a … Continue reading
Posted in Airport, Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Spectacles, Transportation
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Springfield, “The Flower City”
Springfield’s sometime-nickname, “The Flower City,” apparently originated with a Chicago newspaper story published in 1857. But it didn’t catch on for another 20 years, at first mainly when local improvement advocates complained that the city – particularly its muddy streets … Continue reading
Posted in Amusements, Celebrations, Illinois State Fair, Local government, Spectacles, Women
2 Comments
Moose Club ‘athletic show,’ 1914 (Springfield Survey)
In March 1914, a couple of social survey experts attended a so-called “athletic show” put on by the Springfield Moose Club. The two – apparently Lee F. Hanmer and Clarence Arthur Perry of the New York-based Russell Sage Foundation – … Continue reading
Gov. Len Small arrested, 1921
The Aug. 9, 1921, arrest of Gov. Len Small for alleged corruption created a daylong drama in Springfield. It was performed on three stages: the Capitol, the governor’s mansion and the Sangamon County Courthouse. Stars included Small, county Sheriff Henry … Continue reading
July 4 balloon ascension, 1858
Two balloonists were the talk of Independence Day 1858 in Springfield. The balloons were a traveling show, piloted by the “celebrated aeronauts … Messrs. White and Brooks,” the Illinois State Journal reported on July 6, 1858. “An immense crowd congregated … Continue reading
Posted in Air travel, Amusements, Celebrations, Lincoln, Abraham, Spectacles
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White Oaks Mall opening day lineup (1977)
“Think of us as your Big Apple,” White Oaks Mall boasted in ads on Grand Opening Day, Aug. 24, 1977. Ninety-nine stores lined the corridors of the mall that day, including four “anchor” department stores – Myers Brothers, Famous-Barr, Sears … Continue reading
Posted in Amusements, Buildings, Business, Department stores, Social life, Spectacles
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