Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Hong Fong Low, 729½ E. Washington St., dating from 1903,  probably was Springfield’s first Chinese restaurant. For more on early Chinese cafes, see Oriental Cafe.

Jack Lum, partner in Springfield’s Oriental Cafe’, underwent five days of “hibernation therapy” in 1939, in which he was rendered unconscious and packed in ice. It was unsuccessful. See Oriental Cafe’.

Abraham Lincoln sits atop a reproduction Alaskan totem pole outside the Illinois State Museum. For information on the totem pole’s creation and why it’s in Springfield, see Mid-Day Luncheon Club.

Newspaper bill collector Elmer Kneale was the behind-the-scenes maestro of Springfield’s Mid-Day Luncheon Club from its founding in 1915 until his death in 1944. See Mid-Day Luncheon Club.

Springfield’s Mid-Day Luncheon Club played host to world leaders, past and future presidents, philosophers, magnates and monarchs in a speech series that lasted more than 50 years. And then there was that totem pole. The club was made official in … Continue reading →

In April 1896, an unnamed Illinois State Journal writer attempted to determine the origins of Sangamon County place names. The results were two articles, published April 6 and April 13, that covered every township and most cities and villages in … Continue reading →

Harry “H.D.” Anderson was accused of embezzling as much as $300,000 from the Springfield Brewing Co., which operated at 11th and Madison streets from 1933 until the mid-1940s. See Springfield Brewing Co.

Nicholas Schlangen owned the Springfield Brewing Co. from 1937 until its demise in the mid-1940s. See Springfield Brewing Co.

Conrad Engelking owned the Springfield Brewing Co. from 1934 to 1937. See Springfield Brewing Co.

The legal name of boxer, hotelier and sports promoter Johnny Connors was John O’Connor Sr. His son, John Jr., nicknamed “Buster,” also promoted a variety of athletic events under the last name Connors. Both men are in the Springfield Sports … Continue reading →