OK, for more years than I care to ponder, I have wondered how the "right people" say, "Sangamo". I knew it was some sort of railroad junction or other holy ground, around Springfield, Il.

One of the "big guys" pronounced it "San GAM oh". I didn't know better so I went about my business. For about thirty five years.

Then a couple of weeks ago I thought, "Hey! Google it!" So I did, and was there EVER a dearth of info on the term!

I found a "Sangamo Club" in Springfield, which seemed to be some sort of golf or country club, so I dialed them up and called them. A delightful sounding lady answered so I presented the question to her.

She said: "SANG a mo". So there! What do you say?

And... tell me more about Sangamo, you railroad guys!

Steve

Hello Stephen:

Sangamo was probably derived from the Sangamon River that runs between Peoria and Springfield Illinois the home of the Illinois Watch Company. Wikipedia says that the river was home to many First Nations tribes and the name derives from a Pottawatomie word "San-guee-mon" (pronounced "sang ga mun" that means "where there is plenty to eat" Now that is food for thought

Larry

Reminds me of a product I've used and recommend for leather care for years called 'Pecards'.

I've ALWAYS pronounced it 'Pe-CARDS'.

I once had to call them, and the lady who answered at the factory pronouced it 'PECK-erds'.

Personally I like my pronounciation better.

Regards! Mark

Stephen, Welcome to our club. I hope you enjoy our company as much as I am sure we will yours. This is a very good question, and Lindell's link helps put it together.

The Bunn Family certainly showed thier respect for the Sangamo Tradition with their choice of top grade watches made by their Illinois Watch Co., and with their foundation of Sangamo Electric, a very successful manufacturer of Electric items, Clocks, Motors, Watt Hour Meters, Capacitors, etc., etc,.

I am proud to have done business about 40 years ago with Sangamo Electric to help serve the improvement of their Watt Hour Meters, and to have in my collection a couple of the very fine Sangamo Electric Clocks which are actually auto-winding Illinois Watch Movements of considerable accuracy and (as they are still running well) reliability.