Springfield
I lived in the state capital for the first 40 years of my life, and observed it for more than a half-century. Here you will find many of those articles about my home town—its culture and history, its social life and government, its tourist sites and notable residents as they appeared mainly in Focus, Atlantis, The Phoenix, Illinois Times, and The Reader of Chicago.
There are of course two Springfields, as there are two Albanies or two Sacramentos. Because it is the state capital, "Springfield" to Illinoisans means state government. The other Springfield, the mid-sized Midwestern backwater that hosts state government, was described by Andrew Ferguson in his 2007 book Land of Lincoln as “a clapped out old burg." Us natives protested that this was inaccurate, Springfield being not all that old. I recently found an undated manuscript in my files, probably from 1975, in which I averred, "My perspective on Springfield history can be stated as follows: the study of Springfield’s past is fueled by the same curiosity that causes a pathologist, when confronted by a corpse, to wonder how it died." Yes, imitation Mencken, but no less true for that.
Posting every Springfield title on a single page would make it unwieldy, so links have been grouped by topic, which lists appear on their own pages. (To return to this page after visiting one of the subtopic pages, use your browser's return button.) All other Springfield pieces are listed individually below, in no particular order.
Articles whose principal focus is the state government that happens to be based in Springfield appear here; articles whose principal focus is the man who made Springfield famous appear here. See also Springfield boy for articles about Springfield as it was experienced by this Springfieldian.
Click on the title for the full article.
To leave an article and return to this page, click on your browser's back button or on "Springfield" in the Topics menu
Springfield history (including Lincoln)
Springfield schools (including
higher ed)
Springfield nature & environment
Springfield politics & government
In which Springfield’s canned “chillis” pass a test
"Prejudices" Illinois Times December 2, 1982
Of Birthdays, Gracie Allen, and Exiles
Baby steps at Illinois Times
"Prejudices" Illinois Times September 18, 1980
Still Alternative After All These Years
Springfield and Illinois Times after 35 years
""Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times September 30, 2010
Springfield tries to have fun. It isn’t pretty
“Prejudices” Illinois Times July 10, 1981
Taking the Christian out of Christianity
The YMCA picks up a new name but sells an old idea
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times August 12, 2010
Dull Springfield
Springfield is hardly alone in being just the tiniest bit self-conscious about how outsiders see it. (One of my favorite books is Chicago: The History of Its Reputation by Lloyd Lewis and Henry Justin Smith, Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1929.) It might have better reasons for it than most places.
When the statehouse sleeps, Springfield snores
"Prejudices" Illinois Times April 9, 1981
“I’m Proud to Be a North Ender”
Springfield's most Springfield neighborhood
"Prejudices" Illinois Times September 5, 1980
Social issues
Race, demographics, poverty, public health
Racial change in 1970s Springfield
“Prejudices” Illinois Times May 8, 1981
What riot? Springfield still won’t talk about race
"Prejudices" Illinois Times September 20, 1990
Sangamon County shows the nation how to die young
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times May 17, 2012
Living Too High Off the Hog
Springfield can’t keep living like this
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times March 3, 2011
The Wandering Whistler in White
Springfield’s abundance of eccentricity
“Prejudices” Illinois Times February 18, 1977
Springfield’s city band marches into Salzburg
"Prejudices" Illinois Times August 23, 1990
Charlie Parker’s winning way to disguise English muffins
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times November 5, 2015
Organized fun in Springfield. In Springfield?
“Prejudices” Illinois Times August 15, 1980
Looking back on high school sports rivalries
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times March 31, 2011
Click on the title for the full article.
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