Category Archives: Sports and recreation

Cook’s Hall

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Cook’s Hall, at 122 S. Sixth St. on the east side of the downtown square, was Springfield’s main venue for meetings, speeches and entertainment from 1858 to 1863. It was also known as Illiopolitan Hall. Abraham Lincoln spoke there a … Continue reading →

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Desegregation of the Illinois State Armory

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Springfield journalist and activist Simeon Osby  (1909-93) was among a group of African Americans who forced indifferent white officials to open all seating areas in the Illinois State Armory to anyone. Previously, blacks had been relegated to upper areas of … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Buildings, Ethnic groups, Journalism, Local government, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fatal racing accident, 1910 Illinois State Fair

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Driver LaRue Vredenburgh (1882-1910) died in this crash during auto racing at the 1910 Illinois State Fair. The car, a green Stoddard-Dayton characterized as “one of the prettiest running cars on the track,” was traveling 60 mph when it went … Continue reading →

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Illini Country Club

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Illini Country Club was founded in 1906 on 138 acres of farmland off Chatham Road that was purchased from Noble Wiggins. Illini was an outgrowth of the Springfield Golf Club, which had owned what now is the Pasfield Park Golf … Continue reading →

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Illinois High School Association state champions (teams)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

This entry has been updated through 2019 and also to correct the omission of two championships won by teams from Pleasant Plains High School. Thanks to Mike Barlow (see comments) for pointing out the omissions. GIRLS Cross-country Sacred Heart-Griffin High … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Sports and recreation | 2 Comments

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

Mildred Park (Bunn Park)

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

Mildred Park had rides, a swimming, boating and fishing lagoon with a suspension bridge and other attractions. The area is now Bunn Park. The suspension bridge was the site of a near-tragedy on Aug. 16,1905, when one of its cables … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Disasters, Early residents, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Radio brings the 1929 World Series to Springfield (photo)

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

A group of men listens to the World Series by radio at A. Dirksen & Sons furniture store, 412 E. Washington St., on Oct. 29, 1929. The Philadelphia Athletics, under Connie Mack, won the game, 3-2, and the series, 4 … Continue reading →

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Robin Roberts

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Springfield native Robin Roberts (1926-2010)was the best pitcher in major league baseball from 1950 to 1955, winning 20 games for the Philadelphia Phillies for six consecutive seasons. Following his active career, he played a major role in the hiring of … Continue reading →

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Robin Roberts Stadium

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Robin Roberts Stadium, then named Reservoir Park, opened on May 12, 1925. About 12,000 people watched a Three-I League baseball game between the Springfield Senators and the Terre Haute Hottentots. The Senators remained a Three-I team until 1949, then switched … Continue reading →

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