What a Picture Can Tell You…
E.N. Kirby Dairy was owned by Eugene N. Kirby. He was born in Edwardsville, IL in 1871. By the late 1890s, according to the city directories, he was working for Charles A. Haines a dairyman in Champaign. In 1903, Kirby married Haines’ daughter Carrie Amelia Haines, and eventually opened a diary under his own name. Both the Haines farm and the Kirby residence were on the border of sections 13 and 24 in Champaign Township the current location of Kirby Avenue by Hessel Park.
Historic Theaters of Champaign County
Champaign County is home to many historic theaters. From vaudeville venues to movie theaters, theater entertainment has deep roots in the culture of Champaign County.
Magnavox Company, Urbana
Recently, the community has been discussing the property of the Dart/Solo Cup plant located on the corner of Washington Street and Lierman Avenue in Urbana, former home to Urbana’s Magnavox plant. Check out the links below to Tom’s Mailbag from the News-Gazette to learn more about the conversation:
Chanute’s Great Parachute Rescue
The Rantoul Press reported that thousands of people in Champaign County “deserted their homes and places of businesses” to see the “never-to-be-forgotten sight of a man hanging helpless by his useless parachute to the tail of an army plane, skillfully maneuvered for almost an hour while other planes attempted several means of rescue.”Children's Theatre, Inc. of Champaign-Urbana
The Children’s Theatre, Inc. (CTI) of Champaign-Urbana was established in 1938 as a community group to support children’s theatre and education in the arts.
The Snowiest Time of the Year
1977,1978 and 1979 were particularly snowy years in Champaign County.
1977 got off to a cold and snowy start. Throughout the month of January, record low temperatures closed schools across the county, and ice and snow drifts made many country roads impassable. By months end, fuel reserves throughout the state were depleted, prompting many to worry about remaining warm (Courier, January 27, 1977).
Urbana’s First Santa and The Urbana Free Library
To all the young at heart, I have a secret for you, published in the Champaign County Genealogical Society’s Quarterly is the identity of Santa Claus…
Snow Days at Chanute
The Chanute Collection includes photographs of Chanuters finding creative ways to survive the snowy winters while stationed in Rantoul.
Archives Bazaar November 4th!
In addition to all the entertainment The Urbana Free Library is hosting during the 9th Annual C-U Folk and Roots Festival this coming weekend, the Champaign County Historical Archives is excited to get in on the fun by hosting the First Annual Archives Bazaar!
Using FamilySearch Records
On January 6, 2011 the Champaign County Historical Archives (CCHA) became an Affiliate Library of FamilySearch’s Research and Library System. This allowed patrons to order microfilm from FamilySearch and have it sent to CCHA for viewing.
FamilySearch discontinued its microfilm circulation services on September 7, 2017 and has replaced it with digital access. Over 1.5 million microfilm have been digitized by FamilySearch, with additional films being scanned at a rate of 1000 films per day. They hope to have the digitization completed by the end of 2020.
Happy #AskAnArchivist Day!
Did you know that October 4th is Ask An Archivist Day?
Newspapers: Print, Microfilm, and Digital
You may already know that the Champaign County Historical Archives has a large collection of local newspapers from 1852 to the present day. In addition to well-known popular publications like the News-Gazette, Courier, and Daily Illini, we also have microfilm copies of papers from smaller communities, such as the Homer Enterprise and the Tolono Herald. If you're looking for news from one of CU's independent presses, like the Spectrum, Sidewinder, or Octopus, we have print copies available for perusal in the reading room.
Name this Plane!
Can you identify the following aircraft that were flown at Chanute field? (Find the answer by clicking on each image)
Number 1
FamilySearch has extended its microfilm order deadline
Last month FamilySearch announced it was discontinuing its microfilm loan program and set an order deadline of August 31, 2017. Due to system outages during the week of August 20, 2017 FamilySearch has decided to extend circulation an additional week. The new order deadline is September 7, 2017.
History Mystery: CU’s Coffee Pot Restaurant
We get a lot of interesting questions through our Ask an Archivist service, where anyone can call, write, or email their queries about Champaign County history. Recently, I received a fun question that read, in part:
Can you help me, please?