Category Archives: Uncategorized

St. Francis of Assisi Church, designed by the Springfield architectural firm of Helmle & Helmle and built in the 1920s, has been called “one of the undiscovered treasures of Springfield.” Also see Franciscan Life Center.

Fiatallis (earlier Fiat-Allis) was the final corporate name of Allis-Chalmers, which manufactured construction equipment at a plant in Springfield from 1928 until 1985. See Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. 

Teddy Gray, born Theodore Georgio in Greece, operated confectioneries in Springfield from at least 1919 until the 1940s. See The Sugar Bowl Restaurants.

George Mann, a former member of the Springfield Police Department “booze squad,” was driving at Ninth Street and Enos Avenue in November 1930 when occupants of another car shot and fatally wounded him. See Prohibition Violence in Springfield.

The body of Dominic Tarro of Benld, founder of the storied Benld Coliseum dance hall and reputed bootlegger, was found in the Sangamon River in May 1930. Tarro had been beaten and shot to death. See Prohibition violence in Sangamon … Continue reading →

John Picco, Italian consular agent in Springfield, was shot to death in Springfield in April 1932. No one was ever charged with the killing, and no motive was ever determined. See Prohibition violence in Sangamon County and Italian immigration.

The Aiellos — Jasper was the nephew of brothers Frank and Robert — were shot to death within 10 months of each other in 1927, apparently victims of a Prohibition-related gang dispute. See Prohibition violence in Sangamon County.

Alex Karon, born Alekos Karahouzites in Greece, was the proprietor of the popular Sugar Bowl restaurant at State Street and South Grand Avenue. See Sugar Bowl restaurants.

See Weather disasters.

See Weather disasters.