Category Archives: Transportation

William and Margaret Carpenter

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

This entry has been edited to correct the death date of Margaret Carpenter and to correct the size of Carpenter Park. Carpenter Park and Carpenter Street are among legacies of the family of William (1787-1859) and Margaret Carpenter (1803-83), who … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Mills, Prehistory, Prominent figures, Sangamon River, Transportation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cozy Dog Drive-In

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

The Cozy Dog, a battered, deep-fried hot dog on a stick, was created by Ed Waldmire Jr. (1916-93) while he was in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Texas.* After discharge, Waldmire brought the idea back to Springfield. Here is … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Route 66, Transportation | Leave a comment

Nellie Browne Duff

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Nellie Browne Duff  (1888-1971) was a reporter, screenwriter, veterans’ advocate, aviatrix and provocateur in Springfield from 1917 until the late 1920s. She later moved to the Bellingham, Wash., area, where she apparently continued with some of the same pursuits. Duff … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Journalism, Military, Prominent figures, Resources, Transportation, Women | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Edwards Trace

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The Edwards Trace was the main route from the Kaskaskia area in southern Illinois to north of present-day Peoria, apparently beginning in prehistoric times. When European colonists moved into Illinois, the trail also became their preferred north-to-south route through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Native Americans, Transportation | Tagged , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Sports and recreation, Transportation | Tagged , | 5 Comments

The Grand Avenues

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s four Grand Avenues — North Grand, South Grand, East Grand and West Grand — made their first appearance in Springfield city directories in 1866. (South Grand Avenue existed earlier, under the name “Township Avenue.”) West Grand Avenue was renamed … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Transportation | Tagged , | 2 Comments

First railroad engineer

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

George Gregory (1808-88) was the engineer on the first locomotive to enter Springfield on Feb.  15, 1842. Gregory, a native of Derbyshire, England, immigrated with his wife Sarah to the U.S. in 1832 and arrived in central Illinois in 1836. … Continue reading →

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Charles Lindbergh’s airmail flights

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Before Charles Lindbergh became famous for his nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, he flew the U.S. mail between Springfield, Chicago and St. Louis for the Robertson Aircraft Corporation. The first official flight, piloted by Lindbergh, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Prominent figures, Spectacles, Transportation | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Guy Mathis

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Guy Mathis (1866-1932) was a ground-breaking photographer and automobile entrepreneur in Springfield. Mathis is best remembered today for his photography.  In addition to opening the city’s first camera shop in the late 18990s, Mathis took hundreds of photos himself, with … Continue reading →

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Northern Cross Railroad

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

The Northern Cross Railroad, the first railroad in Illinois, briefly operated from Springfield to Meredosia, giving central Illinois long-coveted access to the Illinois River and then the Mississippi. The line was one of eight railroads called for in the state’s … Continue reading →

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