Old Aristocracy Hill in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William Donnegan Ln.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023
1. William Donnegan Ln. Marker
(Six panels (three on each side) that contain one line of historical information)
Was a successful entrepreneur and shoemaker who made shoes for Abraham Lincoln
His business sat a block east of the Lincoln and Herndon Law Office and he lived five blocks from Lincoln's Home
He was a conductor on the Underground Railroad and helped enslaved Black men and women escape to Canada
In 1898 he wrote a memoir of his role in helping an enslaved woman travel from Springfield to Canada
During the 1908 Springfield Race Riot he was beaten, his throat was slashed and he was hanged from a tree
The next day he died at St. John's Hospital. At his time of death he was over the age of 75
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 39° 47.706′ N, 89° 38.721′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Old Aristocracy Hill. It is at the intersection of South 8th Street and East Cook Street, on the right when traveling south on South 8th Street. Marker is outside the Route History building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 737 E Cook St, Springfield IL 62703, 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
this page online
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023
2. William Donnegan Ln. Marker
other side
via Illinois Historic Preservation Division, unknown
3. William K. Donnegan
One of the few killed during the Springfield Race Riot of 1908, his death prompted the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023
4. William Donnegan Ln. Marker
Marker is in the front, on the right, outside Route History building
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 5, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on July 7, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
