Jim Elliott spent his childhood in Jacksonville, and attended college locally where he met his wife. They then moved to southern California, where they built a successful business. Hear his story, and his connections to our area.

Rabbi Rob Thomas discusses his upbringing in Jacksonville, work, unusual hobby, spiritual journey, and his investment back in his hometown.

Dr Robert Crowe discusses his life, career as superintendent of Jacksonville School District 117, children's author, and other creative projects.

During the summer of 1951, Mary Ann DuBois Armstrong took a summer job in the Occupational Therapy Department at the Jacksonville State Hospital. Her job entailed providing organized daily activities for a group a patients.

This podcast discusses her work, and the special relationship with a reclusive resident named Alma.

The interview was conducted in 2021 with Laura Marks, Mary Ann's daughter.

Topic: Changing care and attitudes toward mental care

Roy Wright was an employee at the Jacksonville State Hospital from 1935 until after 1972 when this interview was recorded. His jobs included attendant, dietary department, affiliate nurse, assistant chief nurse, chief nurse, and eventually administration. He discusses the changing methods in patient care and treatment, changes in community attitudes toward mental illness, and changes in living conditions and staff in the hospital.

This recording was done October 6, 1972 by interviewer Roger Streitmatter.

This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.

Flo Lasley was a recreational therapist the Jacksonville Developmental Center, beginning her career in 1932. She discusses her career and duties, patient recreation, volunteer programs, the hospital greenhouse, farm, epidemics, and employee conditions. The interview was recorded on October 13, 1972, by Rodger Streitmatter.

This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.

Reggie Biggs worked at the Jacksonville Developmental Center for 20+ years in the painting and maintenance departments, beginning in 1985. He shares his stories and experiences working at the institution, and his memories of the places and people he encountered.

The Soap Box Derby racing competition was once a popular yearly event in Jacksonville in the mid-20th century. Local boys would hand build gravity-fed cars that would race down city streets in organized competitions. The winners could then compete in national competitions in Ohio. Fred Engelbach discusses growing up in Jacksonville, and his memories of building and competing in races for a handful of years during his youth.

Jones Meat & Locker has been in business for 80 years in 2023 in the Jacksonville area, spanning 3 generations of the Jones family. Terry and Marcy Jones discuss the history of the business, and how it has changed during the decades it has served Jacksonville and the surrounding area.

Ben Cox discusses the interesting story of B.B. King performing at Annie Merner Chapel at MacMurray College in the spring of 1970. Ben explains how this world-famous act was secured, and what his research has uncovered about the performer's visit to the Jacksonville area.