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 […]
Cinda Ackerman Klickna
Cinda Klickna is a former teacher from Springfield and past president of the Illinois Education Association.
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 […]
Posted inNews
The 1842 Condell House
Sitting back from Fourth Street in Springfield, tucked next to the Mansion View Inn, sits a house with a long history. The home of John S. Condell for 55 years, it had several owners since his death, then sat empty for over 30 years, came close to demolition, was listed as one of Illinois’ most […]
Posted inUncategorized
Echoes of yesteryear
The annual Sangamon County Historical Society’s cemetery walk, Echoes of Yesteryear, will make for a great Sunday outing on Oct. 5. It takes place from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave. The last tour begins at 3 p.m. Susan Helm, co-chair of the cemetery committee, said, “This year’s Cemetery Walk […]
Posted inNews
Former King’s Daughters Home to house nurses
Yolanda Rice, a Springfield investor and entrepreneur, plans to purchase the former King’s Daughters Home and create apartments for nursing students and traveling nurses. “This has been a long journey,” Rice said, “but I have been met with great support from the city, the Historic Sites Commission and many others to make this a reality.” […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Preserving Black history
The Allen Chapel African American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Lincoln is on the Landmarks Illinois 2025 list of most endangered historic sites in the state. The church has a storied history from the formation of a congregation in 1868 to the construction of a building in 1881 until the chapel’s closure in 2012. The […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Summer Shakespeare
“To be or not to be… that is the question.” Hear this famous line from Hamlet at three Shakespeare events in three separate venues this summer. Travel to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington, Shakespeare in the Park in St. Louis, or stay right here in Springfield for Shakespeare in Enos Park. Maybe hit all […]
