Join the Illinois State Historical Society’s southern Illinois tour Oct. 14-16 to visit historic sites, natural areas and the beautiful Shawnee National Forest with its bluffs, canyons, boulders and towering trees that will be alive with fall color. Board the bus in Springfield and travel to Shawneetown, Elizabethtown, Golconda and more. Experience the Ohio River, […]
Cinda Ackerman Klickna
Cinda Klickna is a former teacher from Springfield and past president of the Illinois Education Association.
Posted inLocal History
“Three Hot Days in August”
Springfield is the home of Abraham Lincoln, known as the Great Emancipator. We should be proud of that. Yet, we must acknowledge that it was here, in his hometown, that a disturbing event occurred in 1908 – the race riot that lynched two innocent Black men, destroyed people’s homes and left a scar on our […]
Posted inLocal History
A historic undertaking
Springfield resident John Oxford once restored a 1,500-square-foot house built in 1903. He has now taken on a much bigger project as the new owner of the 8,600-square-foot red brick, Italianate mansion at Eighth and Cook streets, which was built in 1865. “This will be a much larger undertaking,” he said. “I’m newly married, […]
Posted inHistory
Marbold marks 175 years
The Marbold Farmstead Association hosts a yearly fall event and other activities throughout the year at the Marbold Home near Greenview. From 1-4 p.m. on July 12, a special celebration will take place with music, house tours, children’s activities and storytelling. A program, “175 Year Journey: Our Story” will begin at 2 p.m. and include […]
Posted inBooks
A history of public education
Why does Illinois have an education system that relies on property taxes? Where did physical education, high schools and vocational education in Illinois schools originate? How did Chicago become its own school district with separate rules and a separate pension from the schools in the rest of the state? These questions and more are explained […]
Posted inJuneteenth
“Battling the fires of racism”
New large mahogany doors and all-yellow brickwork on the façade of the Black Firehouse at 1310 E. Adams St. are the latest renovations expected to be completed by the end of August on this historic structure. The building, owned by the Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons, was once Firehouse No. 5, known as the […]
Posted inSummerguide
New Route 66 exhibits
If you aren’t able to literally make the drive to “get your kicks on Route 66,” you can still experience the famous road at the Illinois State Museum’s exhibit Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66, opening May 23. The exhibit will highlight what it was like to travel, eat, stay and work along the […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
Best Buddies comes to Springfield
Southeast High School students filled the commons area during their lunch break on April 1. The Southeast drum line kicked off the festive gathering; students ate their lunches, purchased T-shirts and snacks, and took part in face painting and other activities. It wasn’t an April Fool’s Day celebration but the kickoff of the Best Buddies […]
Posted inLocal History
Historic properties for sale
Historic buildings in downtown Springfield have been put on the market. Several properties along South Second, as well as on Capitol Avenue and Seventh Street, are ready for new owners, while two others have recently changed hands. Court and Karen Conn of Conn’s Hospitality Group are known for their outstanding historic preservation work, owning many […]
Posted inNews
Illinois Times partners with podcast
Karen Conn was recently interviewed on Tony Stang’s podcast, The Mosiac Project. Stang is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, located at 501 S. Fourth St. in downtown Springfield, and created the podcast as a means of “archiving moments of humanity.” The conversation with Conn reflects the wider vision of The Mosaic Project, which seeks […]
Posted inNews
Old friends
George King and Dick Bilinsky didn’t know each other until they and their wives moved into Concordia Village around the same time in 2023. The couples happened to join each other at dinner one night and, as George says, “We just clicked.” Bilinsky adds, “I knew we were going to be friends when George revealed […]
Posted inNews
Mysteries of central Illinois
Sports, mystery, intrigue – two local authors have recently published novels that have similar ingredients but different themes. Mitchell’s book, Theory Markspurn, takes readers deep into the world of volleyball. Those who know little about the sport will quickly learn terms and rules. Mike Stutz, in his novel Murder in Athens (pronounced Ay-thens), spins a […]
