Category Archives: Uncategorized

Scottish immigrant Charles Dawson was Springfield’s most notorious gambler for much of the 1920s. He was shot to death gangland-style in December 1931. See Gambling rivalry, 1931. 

The Wentworth Club was a social and political club that challenged Sangamon County’s regular Republican organization from 1925 to 1933. The club’s name came from the middle name of one of its founders, Dr. Charles Compton. See Gambling rivalry, 1931.

Dr. Charles Compton was the guiding spirit behind the Wentworth Club, a social and political organization that challenged Sangamon County’s regular Republican organization from 1925 until 1933. See Gambling rivalry, 1931.

See Green Beret fatal accident, 1966 Illinois State Fair, for a list of all unnatural deaths at the Illinois State Fair.

The Southern Air restaurant operated from 1948 to 1984 at 3045 Clearlake Ave. See Chesapeake Seafood House.

John McGredy built the home, then more than a mile east of Springfield, that today is the Chesapeake Seafood House. See Chesapeake Seafood House.

William Colby was the second owner of the home on Clearlake Avenue that today is the Chesapeake Seafood House. See Chesapeake Seafood House.

The Villa Valencia, operated by Nick Campo and Joe Bardi, was a nightclub that preceded the Lake Club at 2840 Fox Road. See The Lake Club.

The Peacock Inn was a short-lived predecessor of the Lake Club at 2840 Fox Road. See The Lake Club.

The O’Joy Inn, operated by Gertrude Joy, was the first amusement venue to occupy the building best known as the Lake Club, 2840 Fox Road. Gertrude Joy built the club. See The Lake Club.