Archives Visitors
We have a saying in the Archives that you never know who will walk in the door on any given day, and that’s one of the many reasons we love our jobs. It is especially interesting when we can put our hands on documents relating to our patrons’ pasts.
Fourth of July Celebrations
#TBT Fourth of July celebrations in Champaign-Urbana
The kids in southwest Champaign were not to be outdone on the Fourth. They decorated bikes, wagons, tricycles, and themselves and had their own parade near James and Charles streets. July 4, 1969.
The Circus is Coming to Town!
Scenes from the Circus Parade in downtown Champaign from 1909! #TBT!
Photographs courtesy of the Champaign County Historical Archives Circus photograph envelope.
Lara, Archives Assistant
Love Family History, Love Reading Fiction? Here are Titles that Combine Both!
Just in time for the Urbana Free Library’s Summer Reading Program, the Archives has created a list of twenty fiction titles with themes of family history and genealogy. All of these books are available at the Urbana Free Library and include books for both adults and kids. Of course if you’re interested in non-fiction books, the Champaign County Historical Archives has a wide array of genealogical titles too. Happy Summer Reading!
Rising Sun School
In honor of the upcoming summer solstice (June 21st) we present you with an interior picture of Rising Sun School for this installation of #TBT.
Rising Sun School was a one-room school house in Condit Township. Teacher Hattie McBrian oversees lessons in this photo dated circa 1938.
Summer Time, Travel Time
How do you plan to travel to your vacation spot this summer? We have some suggestions.
Fan of the slow movement. Horse and wagon should be just your speed.
Your Pedigree on Paper
With the overwhelming availability of online genealogical websites and family tree software, folks interested in their roots may have been overlooking a traditional method of recording their ancestors: the 15-Generation (paper) pedigree chart.
‘Gamblers’ Row’ aka Champaign’s North Market Street
During the spring of 1937, one intrepid Courier reporter took the citizens of Champaign-Urbana on a 6 part series tour of Champaign’s gambling dens. For this week’s #TBT we bring you pictures from North Market Street aka ‘Gamblers’ Row.’
“It’s a dull job Patrolman Charles Cole of the Champaign police force has been assigned to by Chief Roy Argo. His beat is confirmed to “Gamblers’ Row,” North Market Street. When this picture was taken it appears that Patrolman Cole was watching the entrances to 103 and 105 North Market street out of the corner of his eye.”
Throwback Thursday: The Self Portrait
Selfies are a new trend, right? But, wait! Look at what we discovered. A self-portrait (selfie) of Ella Porter dated 1915! Maybe selfies aren’t as new as we thought.
Women and the Process of Naturalization
For those who don’t know, naturalization is the process where an immigrant, or non-citizen can legally apply for citizenship.
Happy and safe Memorial Day everyone.
#TBT "Dick Stillwell, 58, of American Legion Post 24 in Champaign, has been helping decorate graves of veterans with American flags since he was a junior in high school helping his father, who was a veteran of World War I and II."
Here he is decorating graves in Mount Hope Cemetery, Champaign, IL for Memorial Day in 1993. News-Gazette, 30 May 1993 page D-1, photographer Curt Beamer.
The Benefits of Fresh Air in Education
The open air school movement was based on the concept that fresh air, proper ventilation, and exposure to the outside contributed to good health. Originating in Europe, the United States model was quickly adopted as a way to provide care and education for children who were anemic, malnourished, or who had been exposed to tuberculosis. The first open air school in the United States was located in Providence, Rhode Island (1908).
While in Europe, the schools were usually conducted in forests or rural compounds, the open air schools in the United States were often placed in unused school buildings, ferryboats, roofs, porches, or tents [1]. The Chicago Tuberculosis Institute conducted the first open air school in Chicago in cooperation with the school board during the summer of 1909. It was so successful that a year-round school was opened on the Mary Crane Nursery roof in Chicago’s city center [2]. In addition to the benefits of fresh air, hygiene and nutrition were also emphasized. Students were fed a morning snack, a hot dinner, and a glass of milk if possible [3].
Open Air School #1 and #2 - On roof of Mary Crane Nursery, Courtesy of The Library of Congress
Mothers, Sisters, Aunts, and other Feisty Female Ancestors
Anyone who has conducted genealogical research knows that sometimes finding female ancestors can be a tricky business.
Sometimes women can be found by searching a husband's name. For example, this photograph of the Springer family is located in the "Springer, William L." Photographs envelope at the Champaign County Historical Archives.
Historical May Day demonstrations, parties and festivals
May 1st is a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Often referred to as May Day, May 1st represents one of the most popular secular celebration days in the world.
Maypole celebration at the University of Illinois, 1912
Make way for the Hose Company!
Below, the Tolono Fire Department's hose company poses before the Tolono Fire Station with their firefighting equipment in 1901.
Baseball---Champaign's Pastime
Spring is in the air and professional baseball teams are having their season openers all across the country. Here is a peek at Champaign County baseball teams from years past.
Tolono, IL Baseball Club, 1925