The neighborhood on Springfield’s northeast side, just north of the one where African Americans lived before it was destroyed in the infamous Race Riot of 1908, was at its peak during the 1950s and early 1960s. It consisted mostly of Italian-Americans who owned businesses there, such as Coco Randazzo’s tavern, Coco’s Inn. When he wasn’t […]
History
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 inHistory
Fourth of July celebrations in the 1800s
Today in Illinois and elsewhere, the Fourth of July is a holiday for boating, barbecues and fireworks. More than 180 years ago, the celebrations were more scripted and formal, though fireworks were always a constant. Back then, revelry on July 4 was an all-day affair, complete with processions, bands and a multitude of speakers. The […]
Posted inHistory
Drive-in movie theaters
On a warm summer night in the 1960s, long before Netflix and HBO, I would hop in a car with family or friends and head to the Harvest Moon drive-in theater. Once there, we would crank down the driver’s window, hook a speaker over the glass, grab some snacks and settle in for movie night […]
Posted inHistory
Springfield’s Ted Eck and the golden age of U.S. soccer
With FIFA World Cup matches set to be played on American soil June 11-July 19, it is the perfect time to revisit the United States Men’s Team return to World Cup play 36 years ago. After a 40-year hiatus, Springfield native Ted Eck helped make U.S. soccer history. Eck grew up as the youngest member […]
