Tag Archives: Bunn family

Ambidexter Institute

The Ambidexter Institute was a private “industrial school” that operated from 1901 until 1908 at 902 S. 12th St. (As of 2014, the building, generally known as the Judge John Taylor House, was in disrepair, but the Springfield Project, a … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Education, Historic Sites, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Marine Bank (original)

Springfield Marine Bank, originally chartered as the Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co. in 1851 and now part of JPMorgan Chase, is the oldest banking institution in Illinois. Abraham Lincoln banked at Marine. Original stockholders included Jacob Bunn Sr., Robert Irwin, John Williams, Stephen T. … Continue reading

Posted in Business | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Illinois Watch Co.

For a half-century, Springfield’s Illinois Watch Company was a nationally respected maker of timepieces. At its peak, between 1900 and 1928, Illinois Watch employed 1,300 workers, turned out 800 watches a day and was one of Sangamon County’s largest employers. The … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Riverton

Like many early towns, the village of Riverton’s proximity to the Sangamon River contributed to its beginnings. A ferry across the Sangamon, operated by Ezikiel Judd, was the first enterprise in the area. He later transferred the ferry to his … Continue reading

Posted in Amusements, Coal mines and mining, Communities, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Mills, Railroads, Sangamon River, Schools and school districts, Sports and recreation, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments