Litchfield / Springfield Illinois Ghost Trackers Group / Litchfield Ghost Trackers

     Virgil Hickox a pioneer merchant, banker and financier of Springfield, Illinois for many years, was born on July 12, 1806, in Jefferson County New York. He received a grade school education in his native county.

     On August 25, 1828, he started a difficult, two month journey by wagon, to the southwest. At that time he settled in St. Louis Missouri a city of 5,506.  He was in the city for one hour where he was engaged to work as a journeyman carpenter with the pay of one dollar a day and continually employed until 1833, when he went to Galena, Illinois, lead mines for one year. On May 5, 1834, he moved back to St. Louis for a short time, then, came to Springfield, Illinois where he opened a mercantile store, on the square, that lasted for nearly nineteen years.      

     In 1839 he bought a parcel of land from Pascal P. Enos, a half block section extending to 6th street. In that year he brought his young bride Marie Catherine Cabanis of Kentucky to the home. Virgil Hickox, recalled as a gentleman of the old school, was the father of ten children, whom regretfully, only six survived, three sons Charles, Lee and Harris, and three daughters Mrs. Emma Hickox Utley, Mrs. Lucy Hickox Officer and Mrs. Mary Hickox Edwards, with four dying at a young age around 1846. Only two that could be located at the time of this research, were Virgil Jr. and Kate that died 3 days apart. Virgil Jr., January 8, 1846; and  Kate,  January, 11 that same year. There ages are unknown.

     In 1851, he joined with other businessmen in an endeavor to organize a company to build a railroad from Alton, Ill. to Springfield and later to Joliet, Illinois. At that time he had charge of the right of way to what was to become much of the present Chicago and St Louis railroad.  From him, was authored the law regarding the assessment and taxation of railroad property, which was in force from 1855 to 1872. He withdrew from active connection with the road in May, 1874.

     In May, 1869, he was appointed by Gov. Palmer to the office of Canal Commissioner, his only political position, It was a prestigious position of the time. As Canal Commissioner, Mr. Hickox was in charge of all expenditures and the letting of contracts in connection with the Chicago and Michigan Canal. This canal was the largest one constructed in the U.S. in the 19^th Century. He held this appointment for two terms of two years. 

     Among his achievements, he was the director of the old State Bank of Illinois, in 1839-40-41. With his new found wealth, he became President of the Springfield Savings Bank. At the height of his career, he was well off, financially, however, his last years became somewhat disastrous. During the National Financial Panic of 1873, he became financially embarrassed and suffered heavy financial losses.  This remained as such until his death in 1881.

     He had always been a Democrat in politics and acted as Chairman of the State Democratic Committee from 1849 - 1861. In 1858, he managed Stephen A. Douglas’ senatorial campaign. According to Hickox’s obituary which he, authored himself, he wrote that he regarded “The Little Giant’s” success as one of the triumphs of his life. In that capacity he received the last letter ever dictated by his lifelong, personal friend, May 10, 1861, in which he declared there could be but two parties, that of patriots and traitors, and advised his political friends to lay aside every feeling that would impede united action for the preservation of the Union. Mr. Douglas was always a guest at Mr. Hickox’s house when ever visiting Springfield.

     The Hickox House is significant due to its association with an important political and civic figure in Illinois and Springfield’s history.  The fact that it may be the oldest residential building still standing in the Springfield downtown area; its architecture, including an English basement; and its long time popularity as a gathering place for politicians and the press, and through the efforts of the Scully family through its renovations, made it possible to be added to the National Registry of Historical Places and the Illinois historic register.

     The Virgil Hickox House has been through many additions from 1834 thru1890. In the beginning the dwelling was approximately 20’ by 40’and probably connected to a frame structure in the rear Mr. Hickox used in conjunction with his mercantile business. The building had an English basement and at one time a chimney on the rear that suggests a fireplace or other provision for heating and cooking.

     Shortly after Mr. Hickox’s marriage in 1839 to Catharine, It is believed when the first addition was constructed which was approximately 20’ by 20’. It is suggested that the bricks for the structure were manufactured on-site. From 1840 thru 1870, their family grew and the house was extended twice again to approximately 40’ by 60’ on a stone wall footing.

     Finally, in the 1870s, Mr. Hickox added a second story, doubling the size of the house. A grand stone stairway to the first floor entryway and a porch was added at this time. The house was given a hip roof in the front and a clipped gable roof in the rear, along with a bracketed, Italianate cornice, a popular feature at the time. The grounds were artistically landscaped with gravel walkways, flower gardens, and a summer house along with, out-buildings and vegetable garden.

      The first non-residential tenant of the Hickox House was after World War I when the Sangamo Club, a private dining club for men, moved in around 1890. At this time it is suggested that the commercial encroachment of the site began. It is believed that the Sangamo Club (presently located at 3^rd and Adams street.) moved in and a number interior changes were made to accommodate their needs. The upper levels have been used as a beauty parlor, music store and a boarding house. Few, if any, exterior changes were made until the late 1920s. At this time, the grand stairway to the lower level was removed for a simpler version and the porch to the east side was removed.

     Another subsequent non-residential use for the house was the Branson Funeral Parlor. It was owned and operated by the county coroner at that time who lived upstairs. It was located in the lower level. On the west side of this level, square opening can still be seen, once used to slide coffins into the parlor.  At one time a speakeasy and tavern were located in the lower level. In approximately 1932, one of Springfield’s first liquor licenses was issued to “Hoot” Francis to own and operate a tavern.

     In 1938 the lower level became, Norb Andy’s Taberin, part of a circuit of popular watering holes opened by Norbert Anderson that catered to the political crowd. While all the other locations on the circuit have long passed, Norb Andy’s Taberin remained a gathering place for politicians, lawyers and members of the press who faithfully gathered there for lunch at the same table. Some call this a downtown institution. It remained this way until recently after 42 years.   

          The Hickox House is undoubtedly a landmark building in Springfield, Illinois. There is, I’m sure, much more to be revealed on this elegant mansion at 518 Capitol Ave.  It is a main element of the tapestry of our capitol city’s culture and history that goes beyond history alone.