Browse Items (333 total)

Former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois John Stelle stands at his desk shortly after taking the office of Governor. On verso: "Day Stelle took office after Horner death - Shows him issuing proclamation for 10 day observance of mourning for Horner."

New York publication showing King Black Hawk (middle), born Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, a Sauk war leader and warrior that led his people during the Black Hawk War of 1832.

Chicago regional office, Congress of Industrial Organizations, issues the statement, "Support Organized Labor: Don't Read the Unfair Herald-American." This came in response to Sears, Roebuck & Co. advertising in the Herald-American newspaper,…

On verso: "Given me by Rev. J. M. Peck D. D.; M. Brayman: Signature from letter to E. Rodgers. Jany 1, 1843"

Portrait of Martin B. Rowan, husband to Mary Ann Baker Rowan, both of whom died from cholera in Bloomington in July, 1855.

Wedding portrait of James Ferreira and Charlotte Vierra in Springfield. James and Charlotte were both immigrants of Madiera, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic.

Political campaign banner showing the 1860 Northern Democrat Party candidate for President, Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and Vice President, Hershel V. Johnson, of Georgia. With four different political parties represented in the 1860…

Construction on dome of the United States Capitol building progresses to the upper tier of the structure. The construction of a new cast iron dome to replace the original wooden dome began in 1855, taking nearly eleven years, including a one year…

Several bodies of Union soldiers lie dead on the battlefield at Gettysburg.On verso: "This group of dead was in 'the wheatfield.' The burial details found many such groups on that terrible field. The work of burying the thousands of dead was a…

Richard J. Oglesby poses for a portrait in uniform while serving as a Major General in the Union Army. Oglesby served as the Illinois governor three times between 1865 and 1889 as well as United States Senator (1873-1879).

Union soldiers stand along the the Dutch Gap Canal on the James River, Virginia, during the American Civil War. The Dutch Gap Canal was a failed attempt by Union troops to bypass a bend in the river that was surrounded by Confederate forts. On verso:…

The first wagon train filled with food for the residents of Petersburg, Virginia, enters the city after the nine-month Battle of Petersburg running from June 1864 through March 1865.On verso: "As soon as the Rebels were forced to evacuate Petersburg,…

Large crowds look at a stage with a banner reading "Hail to the Chief who in Triumph Advances." Photo caption: "Grand Triumphal Arch and Reception of Lieut. Gen. Grant, at Galena, Ill, August 18, 1865." On verso: "From original photo in possession of…

Illinois Soldiers' College and Military Academy in Chicago advertising its first session, September 15, 1866. Initially opened as a military academy in 1861, the Illinois Soldiers' College was organized in 1866 to help disabled Illinois veterans…

Ice covers businessman and showman P. T. Barnum's American Museum in New York City after it was destroyed by fire on March 3, 1868. The American Museum opened on November 13, 1865, some three and a half years after a fire claimed the original Barnum…

The exterior stone walls of St. Paul's Universalist Church are all that remain after the church building was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Announcement from the Little Sower Recruiting Commission of Schuyler County that Perry Hobbs has been appointed recruiting officer in the "Sunday School Army."

A Second Presbyterian Church concert programme, including details of an event held "at the residence of A. J. Dunning, Wednesday evening, June 30th, 1880" in Springfield.

Powerlines and tree branches droop under the weight of ice left after an ice storm moved through Springfield, Illinois, on February 2, 1883.

Three people stand outside the ice-covered J. F. Amos residence in Springfield, Illinois. The weight of the ice on the trees in the yard forces them to bend downward,

Several severely damaged trees stand along a street in downtown Springfield after an ice storm hit the city on February 2, 1883.

Ice covers several trees after an ice storm passed through Springfield, Illinois, on February 2, 1883.

Ice and fallen tree branches cover the Sangamon County Courthouse grounds in Springfield after a treacherous ice storm.

Several men stand among the remains of Boliver Turley's residence after a tornado struck Springfield on May 18, 1883. The tornado formed two miles south of the city before making its way northeast striking several farms and homes along the way.

A tornado hitting Springfield on May 18, 1883, destroyed Mrs. F. VanNostrand's residence. The tornado formed two miles south of the city before making its way northeast striking several farms and homes along the way.