Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Remember the Gettysburg Address

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/11/18Nov22-Lincoln-Library-Historic-Doc-4.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Almost every American can recite the opening line of this speech.  It is perhaps the best known in American history,…

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The Most Important Speech?

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/11/17Nov22-Lincoln-Library-Historic-Doc-3.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)What is the most important document that Christian McWhirter handles at this vault?  He admits, the answer may seem boring,…

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Lincoln’s Big Three

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/11/16Nov22-Lincoln-Library-Historic-Doc-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Although Abraham Lincoln served as president over a century and a half ago, people still are very interested in his…

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Opening the Vault of Lincoln’s Papers

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/11/15Nov22-Lincoln-Library-Historic-Doc-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)We know Abraham Lincoln as a great president and orator.  However, how much do you know about Lincoln as a…

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Lincoln on the Other Side of the Debate

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/10/07Nov22-Lincoln-Log-Cabin.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Abraham Lincoln is known as the great emancipator, a champion of ending slavery in the United States.  However, in the…

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Stories of Survival

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/09/22Sep22-Lincoln-Library-Holocaust.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)It is perhaps only fitting that right now in Springfield, IL you’ll find an exhibit titled “Stories of Survival” at…

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Catsup?

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/07/14Jul22-Collinsville-Ketchup-Tower-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Today we call it “ketchup.”  But there was once a segment of this nation that knew it as “catsup.”  Today…

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The Large Bottle of Ketchup

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/07/13Jul22-Collinsville-Ketchup-Tower-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)If you are one of those folks who will put ketchup on just about anything, head to Collinsville, IL.  If…

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Chain of Rocks Bridge

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2022/05/01Jun22-Chain-of-Rocks-Bridge.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)The development of not only cars, but roads themselves has improved safety and lessened highway fatalities.  But in the 1920s…

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The Luna Café

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/12/06Jan22-Luna-Cafe-2022.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)In front of the Luna Café, on old route 66 near Mitchell, Illinois, you’ll find a beautifully restored neon sign…the…

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The French Arrive in Illinois

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/09/07Sep21-Chester-Illinois-History-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Take a drive south of St. Louis on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River and you’ll find some very…

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Illinois’ Largest City – A Long Time Ago

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/09/06Sep21-Chester-Illinois-History-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Illinois’ Largest City – A Long Time Ago Chicago is by far the largest city in the state of Illinois. …

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

The Guy Who Liked Spinach

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/03Sep21-Chester-Illinois-Popeye-3.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)A lot of people don’t like spinach, but this guy did.  In fact he really liked spinach.  And when he…

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Drawing Caricatures of Locals

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/02Sep21-Chester-Illinois-Popeye-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)There was no doubt this young man had talent.  He was operating motion picture as the local opera house in…

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Elzie Segar’s Story

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/01Sep21-Chester-Illinois-Popeye-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)The name Elzie Segar doesn’t resonate with most folks, unless you happen to live in Chester, Illinois.  Folks there know…

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Posted in American Countryside Illinois

Secret Routes to Freedom

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/31Aug21-Alton-Illinois-Underground-Railroad-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Imagine unearthing history from nearly two centuries ago to find the secret routes people used to gain their freedom.  That’s…

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The Path to Freedom

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/08/30Aug21-Alton-Illinois-Underground-Railroad-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Railroads spanned these two cities on opposite sides of the Mississippi River, but it was a secret railroad that had…

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The Stage Door Canteen

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/21Jul21-Pontiac-WWII-Home-Band-Exhibit-2.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Imagine a chance to get to hear one of the biggest bands of the day and dance with movie starlets. …

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The $25 Per Month Home Mortgage

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/20Jul21-Pontiac-WWII-Home-Band-Exhibit-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)As time passes there are fewer Americans that can recall the life on the homefront during the years of World…

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The Music of the Civil War

http://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2021/07/16Jul21-Pontiac-Civil-War-Music-Museum-1.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:00 — 2.1MB)Many museums cover the history of the Civil War, but few cover this specific topic within that war.  That doesn’t…

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