John D. Waters was an evangelist for shorthorn cattle, and his home, Highland Farms, was a landmark in the Dawson area. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15521

If watches didn’t work, “disorder and chaos would reign.” A silent movie filmed in 1922 shows the making of a Bunn Special railroad watch in Springfield. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15533

The original Dreamland Park, founded by politician/entrepreneur Amos Duncan, was a hub of activity for Springfield’s Black community in the 1920s and ‘30s. New on SangamonLink, by Mary Frances. sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15556

The FBI listened in on Frank Zito’s conversations for two months in 1965. What did agents learn? Zito, Springfield’s so-called “godfather,” spiked his orange juice with garlic. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15575

The young architect who designed the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds … A look at John Rinaker and his associates, by William Cellini Jr. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15602

A 10-year-old waterboy was one of the casualties of an 1895 construction accident at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15611

Sam Willis was Springfield’s most celebrated chef at the turn of the 20th century. That may not have insulated him from the aftermath of the Springfield race riot. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15618

Coal mine shot-firers got better pay than regular miners. But was it worth the danger? New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15635

David Griffiths had served as Springfield mayor for only 43 days when he drowned in 1907. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15660

Video: The Grand Army of the Republic, aging veterans of the Civil War, marches down Capitol Avenue in 1932. New on SangamonLink sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=15695

Today in 1846, snow began falling on settlers in the mountains on the California-Nevada border, trapping 81 people for the winter. Forty-one of them died. This group, the Donner Party, had begun its trek west in Springfield, Ill. #ILhistory #DonnerParty #Disaster

Henson Robinson sold plates and tinware to Union soldiers in the Civil War. The company he founded remains in business today. Its history (and that of the Henson Robinson Zoo), new on SangamonLink. sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/16593-2/

Happening Friday, after 116 years ... Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/08…

As President Biden designates a new Springfield Race Riot National Monument. here's SangamonLink’s look at the riot, its victims and notable participants, and its aftermath. ICMYI: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/race-riot-o…

Bullets flew in downtown Springfield the day after Christmas 1933. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/kresge-shoo…

Officers of the Sangamon Farmers Milk Cooperative promised no violence in the co-op’s 1938 dispute with local dairies. They were wrong. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/milk-dumpin…

Not to toot my own horn ... well, okay, yes I am.

Reading material this week (No. 2): Journal of the Civil War Era/Erin Mast (Lincoln Presidential Foundation): journalofthecivilwarera.org/2024/09/the-pa…

Reading material this week (No. 1): NYT's T magazine on the art of Spfld native David Hammons, via his colleagues: nytimes.com/2024/09/30/t-m…

Well, if there was ever a month to look at the history of local cemeteries, October is it. New on SangamonLink: sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/springfield…