Search Results for: reisch

Springfield street name changes

Posted on October 1, 2016 by editor

One might think that names chosen for streets would remain the same indefinitely unless the name causes confusion or the street was physically removed.  Both circumstances have occurred over the years in Springfield. While the city of Springfield generally discouraged … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Springfield, Transportation | 13 Comments

Springfield Brewing Co.

Posted on May 10, 2016 by editor

The Springfield Brewing Co. operated at 11th and Madison streets from 1933 until late 1946, when it closed in the wake of wartime grain shortages, a federal tax lawsuit, and an embezzling scandal. The grain shortage was unavoidable. The United … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business, Crime and vice, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

Johnny Connors (boxer, saloon-keeper)

Posted on April 23, 2016 by editor

Johnny Connors – boxer, saloon-keeper and sportsman – was small in stature, but he played an outsize role in Springfield for nearly 80 years. Connors (1867-1966) was born John O’Connor in Ireland, but boxed as Johnny Connors. He never legally changed … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Crime and vice, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Sports and recreation, Theaters | 10 Comments

Jack Johnson (boxing champion)

Posted on April 12, 2016 by editor

“Battle royals” in Springfield were a springboard to fame for boxer Jack Johnson, who went on to become the first African-American heavyweight champion. Johnson (1878-1946) was tutored in Springfield by Johnny Connors (1867-1966), a  boxer himself as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Amusements, Hotels & taverns, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | 1 Comment

Manufacturers in Springfield, 1953

Posted on December 19, 2015 by editor

“Industry is big business in Springfield,” the Illinois State Journal declared in a year’s-end wrapup story published Dec. 30, 1953. Products manufactured in Springfield range from bobby pins to bulldozers; from boilers to lawn mowers; from tractors to precision instruments; … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry | Leave a comment

Index P-Z

Posted on June 19, 2015 by editor

P-51D Aircraft (National Register) Palace Hotel Palace Theatre ‘A Palatial Barroom’, 1898 Palmer Hotel  Dr. George T. Palmer (public health expert) Palmer Tuberculosis Sanitarium  Park Sherman Company The Pasfield House (Springfield historic site) Pasfield Family (1830s to 1930) Pasfield Park … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Fire devastates east side of Auburn square, 1910

Posted on March 19, 2015 by editor

A fire that destroyed the entire east side of the Auburn town square early on March 16, 1910, was described in the March 18 edition of the Auburn Citizen. Here is the Citizen’s story.  Auburn has costly fire At about … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Disasters | Leave a comment

Auto dealers in Springfield (Oakland through Stoddard-Dayton)

Posted on July 1, 2014 by editor

Note: This is one in a five-part list of automobile brands sold in Springfield through mid-2014 and the dealers who sold them. The list is broken up because of the length of the full list. The original list was compiled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Auto dealers, Business | 1 Comment

Auto dealers in Springfield (Ingram through Nissan)

Posted on July 1, 2014 by editor

Note: This is one in a five-part list of automobile brands sold in Springfield through mid-2014 and the dealers who sold them. The list is broken up because of the length of the full list. The original list was compiled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Auto dealers, Business | 1 Comment

Auto dealers in Springfield (Datsun through Hyundai)

Posted on July 1, 2014 by editor

Note: This is one in a five-part list of automobile brands sold in Springfield through mid-2014 and the dealers who sold them. The list is broken up because of the length of the full list. The original list was compiled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Auto dealers, Business, Uncategorized | 4 Comments