

Madge and Dorothy's Uniforms
Our newest exhibit at the History Center features dresses from 1850-1950, the last being the army uniform of Magdalene Angle Fleckenstein known as Madge. Madge was born in 1920 in the Klondike area near Chauncey. She attended grade school at the nearby one-room school, going on to graduate from Bridgeport High School in 1940. After graduation Madge enrolled in the Olney School of Nursing and after three years graduated from there as well. She enlisted in the Army Nurse Cor

Lawrence Lore
Nov 172 min read
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Lucinda Melton Porter
One of the dresses on display at the Historical Society's newest exhibit belonged to Lucinda Porter. Lucinda Melton Porter was born in 1837 in Denison Township to a family with deep local pioneer roots. Â Her father Benjamin Melton had fought in the Revolutionary War so when she was born, he was between 70 and 80 years old. His daughter Lucinda was married for the first time at age 16 but widowed at age 23 with a young 5-year-old boy. In 1862 Lucinda married David Porter. Luc

Lawrence Lore
Nov 102 min read
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Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday
Not many people iron clothes anymore, never mind whether it is Tuesday or not. It would be interesting to know just how many households...

Lawrence Lore
Sep 242 min read
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George Field Civilian Employees
In 1941, the location of George Field (Army Air Force Field) was a sparsely settled stretch of Illinois Prairie in Lawrence County where...

Lawrence Lore
Jul 212 min read
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'Women Drivers'
June 1880: A runaway occurred three miles west of Lawrenceville in which three persons were pretty badly bruised. They were L Gosnell,...

Lawrence Lore
Jun 304 min read
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More about Betsey Reed
Dann M Norton has graciously agreed to allow me to post two of his blog articles about Betsey Reed. Â They are both excellent and shed...

Lawrence Lore
Jun 251 min read
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May Day
The first May Day celebration in Bridgeport started in 1911 and was held at Lanterman Park. Every school in the county was invited to...

Lawrence Lore
May 11 min read
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Salvation's Free
April 23rd, 1880 On Sand Ridge, wheat was thriving after the rain. The weather was warm. Peach trees were blooming as were apple trees....

Lawrence Lore
Apr 286 min read
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Rescued at Thrift Shop
Occasionally, an artifact arrives in the mail unexpectedly and tells a long-forgotten story. Such is the case with this key tag rescued...

Lawrence Lore
Apr 241 min read
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Amanda Baker Benefiel, WWI Nurse
Amanda Jane Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D W Baker of Sumner, was a registered nurse. During WWI she was in active service at Camp...

Lawrence Lore
Feb 121 min read
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