Springfield Illinois has a rich history of locally owned and family operated neighborhood taverns. The tavern business was an honorable one; husband and wife worked it together and everyone respected them. The proprietor wore a crisply pressed white shirt with a bleached white apron. It seemed that in Springfield Illinois taverns were set up like a local church parish. People worked, worshiped and socialized together, their kids went to church and school together and the friendships and stories generated were lasting and passed down for generations. There are local families who have been and still are in the tavern business in Springfield for over 75 years, that’s History! Some of the most honest hard working people around are the patrons of the neighborhood taverns.
How wonderful it is to listen to the old-timers tell their tales; we believe it’s important to document their memories before they are gone. Each tavern has its tale’s, its regular characters and its favorite bartender. The goal of this small book it to get some “Tavern Talk” started! Remember when, who owned what and where was it back in the day. Enjoy the history and keep the Tavern Talk alive.