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George Richardson, a black man, was falsely accused of the rape of a white woman, one of the incidents that precipated the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908.

Abraham Raymer, a Russian immigrant accused of being one of the leaders of the white mob during the Springfield race riot, ultimately was convicted only of the theft of a sword. See Race riot of 1908.

New York journalist William Walling’s reporting drew national attention to the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908. 

The killing of mining engineer Clergy Ballard was one of the events that helped precipitate the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908. 

See The interurban railway.

See The interurban railway.

The Illinois Soil and Soy Bean Special was a six-car train that promoted expansion of soybean acreage in central Illinois in the spring of 1927. See Soybeans for more information.

Alja Crook (1864-1930), as curator of the Illinois State Museum from 1906 until his death, is credited with bringing the Illinois State Museum into the 20th century. See entry on the Illinois State Museum. A brief biography also is here.

Amos Worthen (1813-88) was Illinois state geologist and then the founding curator of what was then the Illinois State Historical Library and Natural History Museum. See entry on the Illinois State Museum; a memoir of Worthen’s life is here.

The Desnoyer Brothers Shoe Company operated on North 11th Street for about seven years before the facility was taken over by the International Shoe Company.