This great article from the Sangamon County Historical Society tackles a subject dear to our hearts: the Concordia Seminary campus when it was in Springfield, Illinois. There’s a photo of the dedication of Luther’s statue (one of the largest items that moved with us to Fort Wayne), and a rather entertaining rundown on the strictly frugal Rev. Friedrich August Craemer, president of the Seminary when it moved to Springfield in the 1870s.
(Plus the bonus line: “Students were finally allowed to have automobiles on campus in 1941, but even then only under the condition that they ‘were not to be used to cart girls around.’”)
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the kind words.
Mike Kienzler
Editor
SangamonLink.org
Online encyclopedia of the Sangamon County Historical Society
Such a great article! There’s a lot of fun stories about Uncle Craemer (as he was known). His wife had a much softer reputation. I believe the students called her “Mother Craemer,” if I’m remembering my notes correctly.