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

Spring and Edwards Streets

Site of Edwards School and William Donnegan's Lynching

— 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour —

Spring and Edwards Streets Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022

1. Spring and Edwards Streets Marker

Inscription. On August 15, 1908, William Donnegan, a seventy-six-year-old retired black shoemaker, was taken from his nearby home by the mob and across the street to Edwards School. His throat was slashed after which the mob attempted to hang him. Upon the approach of the militia, the mob fled. The militia then rescued Donnegan and rushed him to St. John's Hospital where he died the next day. Mr. Donnegan was singled out because of his wealth and powerful political connections.

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

The Eighth Marker is Located at Adams Between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

(reverse:)
"I believe the declaration that "all men are created equal" is the great fundamental principle upon which our free constitution rests."

Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States

Erected 2018 by City of Springfield and the NAACP. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1908.

Location. 39° 47.779′ N, 89° 39.344′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Vinegar Hill. It is at the intersection of West Edwards

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Street and South Spring Street, on the right when traveling west on West Edwards Street. Marker is in front of the Illinois State Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 502 S Spring St, Springfield IL 62756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Fred Gottschalk Grocery Co. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The State Capitol (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pasfield House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Stuart Fitzgerald Boyhood Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); I Have a Dream (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spanish American War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Second and Monroe Streets (approx. ¼ mile away); Dana Thomas House (approx. 0.3 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 15, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Additional keywords.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022

2. Spring and Edwards Streets Marker

reverse side

racial injustice, acts of terrorism

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022

3. Spring and Edwards Streets Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.