Springfield Entertainment
The following information and photos are from Springfield
Entertainment: A Pictorial Quarterly (St. Louis: G. Bradley
Publishing, 1996), edited by Curtis Mann, Edward Russo, and Melinda
Garvert, curators of the Sangamon Valley Collection in the Lincoln
Public Library. Many thanks to the authors and publishers for
permission to reprint a few of these superb photos.
The book is part of a 4-volume series, on Springfield business,
entertainment, home life, and public services. For ordering information,
call the G. Bradley Publishing Company at 1-800-966-5120.
My listing covers just some of the many 1940-1960 -era photos
in this excellent pictorial history. There's no better source
for remembering how "our Springfield" looked and felt.
Sad to say, most of these places no longer exist.
Parks and Recreation
Movie Houses
- Orpheum, 57, 64-65
- Roxy, 60
- Tivoli, 61
- Fox Lincoln, 62
- Senate, 63
- Strand, 63
- Esquire, 63
- 66 Drive In, 67
Radio and Television
Theatre and Dance
- Springfield Theatre Guild, 79
- Springfield Municipal Opera, 79
- Copper Coin Ballet, 80
- Senior Prom in
1959, 81
- A Televised Sock Hop, 81
- Beaux Arts Ball, 82
Cafes, Restaurants, and Bars
- Teddy Gray's Restaurant, 86
- Stevie's Latin Village, 86
- The Cliffs, 87
- The Georgian, 87
- The Sugar Bowl, 5, 89
- Markee's Grill, Saputo's, Graham's, 90
- Norb Andy's, 90
- Maldaner's, 91
- Cozy Drive-In, 92
- Steak n' Shake,
92
- Maid-Rite, 92
- Dew Chilli Parlor, 92
- Jack Robinson Hamburgers, 92
- The Lake Club, 96
- The Mill Tavern, 96
- Par-a-Dice, 102
- Ruth's Cafe,
106
- Don's Sangamon
Dairy Drive-In, 106
- Icy Root Beer, 107
- Dairy Queen, 107
- Washington Park Concession Stand, 107
Hotels and Motels
- Leland Hotel, 112
- St. Nicholas Hotel, 113
- Abe Lincoln Hotel, 116
- Lamp Liter Motel, 118
- Sunset Motel, 119
Sporting Events
- Bowling lanes, 122
- Bicycling, 125
- Roller skating at Moonlight Gardens, 126
- Tennis at Washington Park, 127
- Auto racing at Springfield Speedway, 131
- Soap Box Derby on MacArthur Boulevard, 133
- Golf at Pasfield Park & Illini Country Club, 137
- Boxing at the Illinois State Armory, 138
- Little League baseball, 141
- Alby Plain as a pitcher in 1944, 141