O'Reilly Hospital

by John Rutherford

 

In February 1941, Springfield, Missouri was selected as the host city for O'Reilly General Army Hospital.  Discover how Springfield's "Hospital with a Soul" became the model facility for the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II.

Toy Crazes of Christmas Past

by Konrad Stump

 

Whether traveling to the Toy Box on Glenstone, hurrying to Herr's on the Square, or beating the crowds to Battlefield Mall, Christmas shoppers have been trying to get their hands on each year's hottest toys for decades.  Join Local History Associate Konrad Stump and revisit Christmas classics like Lite-Brite and Chatty Cathy, timeless toys like Slinky and Silly Putty, and the hysteria surrounding Cabbage Patch Kids, Beanie Babies, and the elusive Tickle Me Elmo.

America was suffering from the depression.  The people were looking for relief and Presidential candidate, Franklin D. Roosevelt offered them hope with promises of recovery through the “New Deal”.   One effort of this pitch was the Civil Conservation Corp (CCC).  The CCC was a mission to conserve both the natural and human resources of the nation.
 
Most people would contemplate, how could this bring us out of the economic depression?   As history will tell you, the New Deal and FDR did put America on the road to recovery.   Though the time frame of the actual program was very short, 1933-1942, the effects are still evident today.   The CCC took young men and gave them a purpose which eventually prepared them to fight and win World War II.
 
This presentation will consider the CCC and how our ancestors participated or benefitted.  We will examine the history of the CCC from beginning to end, its overall accomplishments, records available, and their location.