Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Seventh and Jefferson Streets

Old County Jail Site

— 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour —

Seventh and Jefferson Streets Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022

1. Seventh and Jefferson Streets Marker

Inscription. On August 14, 1908, a mob gathered at the Sangamon County Jail and demanded the release of George Richardson and Joe James, two black prisoners. Richardson was accused of raping Mabel Hallam, a white woman; and James was accused of the murder of Clergy Ballard, a white man. The prisoners were secretly transported to Bloomington, Illinois by Sangamon County Sheriff Charles Werner with the help of Harry Loper, a white local restaurant owner. This escape precipitated the Race Riot.

The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour starts at Union Square Park, Fifth and Jefferson Streets.

The Second Marker is located at 223 South Fifth Street.

(reverse:)

"These men ask for just, the same thing - fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have."

Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States

Erected 2018 by City of Springfield and the NAACP. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is August 14, 1908.

Location. 39° 48.161′ N, 89° 38.791′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. Marker is at the intersection of North

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7th Street and Jefferson Street (Illinois Route 97), on the right when traveling south on North 7th Street. Seventh and Jefferson Streets are both one-way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 N 7th St, Springfield IL 62701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Acts of Intolerance (about 500 feet away); Surveyor Presidents (about 600 feet away); The History of Union Station (about 600 feet away); The Lyceum (about 800 feet away); Cook's Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Corneau & Diller Drug Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Streetscape 1859 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

More about this marker. This is one of eight markers that highlight the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield. All have the same format, and are triple-sided. The front contains historical text and the City of Springfield logo, one side with the NAACP logo and a quote from either Abraham Lincoln or Barack Obama. The other side says "Springfield's Race Riot of 1908"

Also see . . . Springfield race riot of 1908 on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 14, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022

2. Seventh and Jefferson Streets Marker

reverse side

Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022

3. Seventh and Jefferson Streets Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 530 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.