Traveling on the Springfield Road (Part 1)

•November 5, 2025•

by Janet Roney

“It was four weeks yesterday since we started. I fear we shall all be sick before we get there, it is so very hot. I shant complain as long as I can stand up. I have dragged one foot after the other so long and hope for the best.”

These were the words of a young Ohio woman, Mary Parkinson, in letters to her sister from a few miles west of Paris, Illinois on the Springfield Road in July of 1837. Her letters, printed in 1909 in the Journal of American History, are the earliest account I have found of travelers on the Springfield Road across Moultrie County.

While still on the National Road in Indiana, they stopped at inns for the night, sometimes sleeping six in a bed or on the floor. “...it does seem we shall never get there...there is too many of us together...” They finally got cloth somewhere along the way and made a tent for all 26 of the group to sleep in outside. “It will be much cheaper to tent out...”

•October 29, 2025•

On October 23rd, community and organizational members gathered in a somber yet celebratory Candlelighting Vigil at First Christian Church in Sullivan to remember and honor those who have suffered and those who have died due to Domestic Violence.

•October 29, 2025•

On Thursday, November 6th, beginning with refreshments at 4:00 p.m. and the presentation beginning at 4:30, at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 West Water Street, Sullivan, Lisa Bergschneider (Aspen Creek), Sundae Clay (Aspen Creek), and Jackie Pope-Ganser (Hands of God Hospice) will be present, “Caring for People with Dementia.” This free presentation will discuss simple solutions for joyful gatherings, shopping, and travel. For more information, call (217) 728-7221.

•October 29, 2025•

At the end of September, the readers of One Book, One Sullivan announced the 2025-2026 Top 5 List. This year’s list includes the following titles: The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands, The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla, Resistance by Jennifer Nielson, Alabama Moon by Watt Key, and The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. The community is invited to join One Book, One Sullivan in reading these five titles. For more information and to follow, go to Facebook at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/onebookonesullivan. 

•October 29, 2025•

On November 22nd, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at 1424 Minnesota Avenue in Windsor, the Windsor Class of 2026 will be holding their annual ‘Christmas Bazaar.’ Entry is free, and local shopping is encouraged. For more information, call (217) 459-2636.