Sicilian-born Giovanni Sperandeo overcame adversity at 19 to enthrall thousands as a lyric tenor, becoming nationally recognized as the second Enrico Caruso.
Sperandeo was born March 16, 1890, …
Few things reflect high school sports like the mascot. The high schools of Edgar County, and the surrounding areas, have some of the most common, and uncommon, nicknames of all.
While Paris and …
Being inducted into a hall of fame is a prestigious honor for anyone to receive. Such honors are often bestowed posthumously; as is the case with former Paris resident Thomas Hoffman Coady.
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The once majestic Washington Tea Room came crashing down by the careful Bell and Bell Demolition crew Thursday, Sept. 7.
The house stood at 134 E. Washington Street and was built by …
Some American presidents come from strong bloodlines, with grandparents who fought in wars, made money in business and held office. In turn, some presidential grandchildren carved their own place in …
Cars can do more than drive; they can tell a story
Paris Resident Matt Young spends countless hours wiping down and cleaning what many would say is just a car.
The blue 1966 Chevy Corvair parked in the family’s drive is much more than just …
Illinois history has been defined by shifting political alliances, and even Abraham Lincoln was not immune.
One example is Lincoln’s relationship with Charles Constable of Marshall, a …
The story of an old house is sometimes in its bones
Many families purchase and renovate homes with no issues, but some discover things that would have been lost to time if the house had never been touched.
The Grand Prairie we live in has had …
It was the most famous gunfight in the history of the West, though legend has obscured the facts. One thing, however, is clear; there was a definite Illinois connection.
On Oct. 26, 1881, the …
Many baseball fans claim Babe Ruth was the greatest Yankees player of all time, but the Bambino’s big-league career ended with a thud. And it wasn’t in New York.
Wednesday, Aug. 16, …
Next weekend, millions of Americans will hit the road, fire up the gril, and swarm to the beaches for the Labor Day weekend. The holiday has evolved dramatically from its origins, which are debated …
Steam has powered Edgar County autos for centuries
In 1825, the people of Edgar County were mesmerized by resident T.W. Parker with his creation of the county’s first steam-powered vehicle.
The first steam-powered vehicle noted in history …
Illinois has produced an array of Hollywood actors, singers and personalities. One is Ken Berry, who was one of Hollywood’s bigger stars for a quarter-century.
Berry is best known for his …
OAKLAND BAND ROCKED EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS
In 1964, in Oakland, amidst the Vietnam War, Larry Taylor, Terry Hackett, Jim Cravens and Bill Hudson came together to form a rock ‘n’ roll band, The Demons.
“Larry was the …
For decades, a central feature of more than 100 Illinois communities has been the Carnegie Library, the gift of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie around the turn of the 20th century. Though declining in …
All cultures have their own mealtime traditions, but the ancient Nahua of the Aztec Empire treated their feasts with military-like actions.
Corn, or maize, was the main staple and a Nahua meal …
Though he kept few close friends, Abraham Lincoln formed connections with countless residents in towns across Illinois. He was on cordial terms with George Washington Rives of Edgar County, but the …
For decades, local teens jumped into their cars, hot rod or not, and cruised the circuit. Slowly cruising up and down the street, listening to their favorite radio station and hanging with friends …
Illinois is among national leaders in the number of average tornadoes, and Edgar County has seen its share. In recent decades, several twisters in the county have left a trail of injuries and damage.
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A treasure trove of photographs highlighting the career of the late Harry “Babe” Woodyard is now in the hands of the late state senator’s widow, Mary D. Woodyard of Chrisman, thanks …
The Paris area has sent several players to Major League Baseball. The first was Bill Van Dyke, a starting outfielder in the formative years of the majors.
Van Dyke is believed to be the first …
An 1821 letter from early Edgar County pioneer Jonathan Mayo provides a glimpse into conditions and fears on the Illinois frontier. The letter is headed as Clark County for the location because the …
More than 2,000 men from Edgar County answered the call of the Union Army during the Civil War and the only one to fight at Gettysburg was German immigrant John Schafer.
Schafer was born around …
Most women in 19th-century America struggled with oppression of many forms, including economic, social and educational. One Illinois teenager found a way to break the mold.
The first woman to …
Kaskaskian counterpart to the famed relic has a unique story
There is a liberty bell in Kaskaskia that rang just like the one in Independence Hall at Philadelphia.
During the American Revolution, George Rogers Clark commanded a secret mission on the …
Some units suffered through capture during the Civil War. One example was the 54th Illinois, which was forced to capitulate during a clash in Arkansas in 1864.
The loss forced six companies of …
History remembers 1776 for the Declaration of Independence, which spurred the Fourth of July holiday and its endless parades, cookouts and fireworks. Contrary to popular belief today, the year was a …
After the American Revolution ended, the soldiers went back to their daily lives, and some sought new opportunity. A handful came to this area.
An estimated 780 Revolutionary War …
Mention the word pyramid and the Great Pyramids of Egypt come to mind. Many do not realize that southern Illinois is also home to pyramids.
The discovery was made in 1927 when chiropractor Don …
Like almost everything in the nation these days, the national anthem has become a polarizing issue. But seven decades ago, the anthem helped end a brawl in a minor-league baseball game.
It …
