"What this town needs is a bank!"
So proclaimed Samuel T. Busey, Urbana’s “soldier, banker, patriot, and public-spirited citizen” in 1867, one year before opening the first incarnation of what is now Busey Bank. Brothers and entrepreneurs Samuel T. and Simeon H. Busey opened Busey Brothers & Company bank on Monday, January 13, 1868. (1)
In Honor of Our Veterans, A Few Photographs From Our AMVET Collection
On this Veteran's Day the Champaign County Historical Archives would like to share a few photographs from our collection featuring the American Veterans of World War II at Champaign Post No. 3, also known as AMVETS.
Living in Stadium Terrace: Housing the University of Illinois’ G.I. Students
At the end of World War II, the United States created an assitance program for returning veterans to help with the return to civilian life. This was known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, commonly identified as the G.I. Bill. One of the most visible benefits in the Champaign-Urbana area was the low-cost student housing situated across the street from Memorial Stadium: Stadium Terrace.
New Database - MyHeritage
MyHeritage Library Edition is the latest addition to the Champaign County Historical Archives’ array of resources to aid in the research of local history and genealogy. It’s a global genealogy database that provides access to records from all over the world-including birth, death, military, and immigration. Coverage starts from the 16th century and includes the US and UK federal census, historical photographs, wills, government records, yearbooks and passenger lists, among other resources.
The Era of Railroads
The Archives received a new donation this week. A beautiful map depicting the railroad lines in Illinois as they existed in 1892. Officially tilted “Railroad map of Illinois, 1892 prepared under the direction of and presented by, John R. Wheeler, Isaac N. Phillips, and J.C. Willis, Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners” the map was presented as part of the Illinois Railroad and Warehouse Commission’s 21st annual report in 1891.
At UIUC, Before There Was "Unofficial", There Was...Halloween!
This article "Officials ponder putting hex on UI Halloween" was printed in the October 15, 1989 News-Gazette. In a pumpkin shell, the article states that the celebration of Halloween on campus started about 1975 "with crowds spilling into the streets and challenging police in impromptu drunken revelry. Police responded with riot gear and dogs."
The Old Homer Park
It is always nice to visit local parks! Homer Park (now park of Homer Lake Forest Preserve) was a popular 14-acre destination park located on the Salt Fork River during the first half of the twentieth century. The park was popular for parties, reunions, weddings, and July 4th celebrations.
Above is the Homer Park Pedestrian Bridge/Illinois Traction System Railroad Bridge, photographed in 1907, with onlookers observing a water chute rider.
Autumn Shopping from 1900
Feeling nostalgic while flipping through newspaper advertisements? Sick of online shopping? Want to reconnect with times-gone-by? Then check out the Archives copy of the Sears, Roebuck and Company: Consumers Guide, Fall 1900.This 1970 reprint of the original catalog gives a firsthand glimpse into life and products from 1900. Some of the items on sale were “Acme Horse Fattening Powder”, “Princess Hair Restorer” and an entire department dedicated to headstones.
10 Million Pages of Historic Newspapers
Historical newspapers are a daily resource in my job. Obituaries, town happenings, world events, and pop culture all come together in your local newspaper. That’s why it is so exciting when the Library of Congress announces that the Chronicling America project, an online resource of historic U.S. newspapers published between 1836 and 1922, has posted its 10 millionth page!
Grain Elevators - Skyscrapers of the Prairie
Grain elevators, still dominate the rural Midwest skyline although they are not as prevalent today as they were in the late 19th – early 20th centuries.
Invented in 1842 by Joseph Dart and Robert Dunbar in Buffalo, New York, the grain elevator quickly migrated to the Midwest and the Plains where an expanding railroad made it possible to efficiently transport grain straight from the farmland.
Try Out Try-It Illinois, October 1 through November 30, 2015
Try-It! Illinois 2015, the fifteenth annual statewide database trial sponsored by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois State Library, is now available. Come visit or call the Archives and get your password!
A New Look for the Archives Desk
Visit the Champaign County Historical Archives and check out our newly-arranged reference area, complete with a handy stand-up table for spreading out atlases, and a great view of the courthouse painting.
Marnie, Archives Assistant
Relaxing View of Church Street
The full trees and sunlight dappled across the pavement are what give this circa 1940 photograph of Church Street (Champaign) a serene, summer feel. Photographer Harold Holmes shot this photograph looking east from in front of Cole Hospital, 800 W. Church St.
Champaign County Yearbooks
Did you know the town of Sidney used to have its own high school? What about Sadorus? Or Ogden? Or Thomasboro?
#TBT Lincoln Hotel's Sidewalk Cafe Dining
Does this look familiar? This is the indoor patio dining area of the Lincoln Hotel located in Lincoln Square Mall from September 17, 1964.