The 505th Air Force Band

 

Above is the 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest during their photoshoot with a Boeing B-52D bomber.

Champaign’s gambling hotspots in 1937

In 1937, an unnamed Evening Courier reporter made a survey of the gambling conditions in Champaign. His 9-part series appeared nightly in the Evening Courier beginning April 29, 1937 and ending May 9, 1937. He found that even though gambling houses were hidden behind ambiguously marked doors, steep staircases, and peepholes, they were an open secret available to anyone. 

Scanning at the Archives

Scanning station with the flatbed Epson 10000 scanner attached to a computer. 

 

Here in the Archives we are often asked about our scanning capabilities. Below you will find some of our most asked questions and their answers:

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.”

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). 

Snow Days at Chanute

The Chanute Collection includes photographs of Chanuters finding creative ways to survive the snowy winters while stationed in Rantoul.

                                     

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.