Mt. Vernon, Illinois - The Arthur Residence on North Street

The twenty-three room home of W. C. (Walter Clifford) Arthurs is one of the icons of Mt. Vernon architecture.  Arthurs was the son-in-law of the Car Shops founder David O. Settlemire and he took over the presidency of the business after Settlemire's death in 1908. My own great-grandfather, Joseph W. Wade worked as a foreman at the Car Shops.  Arthurs and his wife Iola lived together in this home at 800 North Street until his death in 1928.  She died in 1938 and both are buried at Oakwood Cemetery.

Those Places Thursday - Mt. Vernon, IL Reservoir

These two early 1900's postcards show what is referred to as the "New Reservoir" of Mt. Vernon, Ill.  Postcard number one was postmarked July 5, 1909 and features a horse and buggy crossing over the spillway of the reservoir.

The back was addressed to Mrs. J. G. Kramer, 1110 Powell Av, Evansville, Ind. and appears to have been from a daughter.

"Dear Folks, Am having a fine time.  All o.k.  Was talking to papa this a,m. over the phone,  Hope you all are having a nice time.  _____  said not to look for me till you see me.  Will write later.  Please write soon.  Love to all."

The second postcard, which shows the bridge and driveway over the new reservoir (in color), was postmarked May 29, 1914 and sent to Miss Bertha Zinc in Centralia, Illinois from Lilly E. Johnson,

"Dear Bertha:  How is everyone?  Would sure love to see you again.  Hazel Hester was in Mt. V. this week. I had quite a chat with her.  I have been working for a long time.  Like my position fine.  pardon my delay? and not forget to write to your old friend."

According to Thomas Puckett in "Mt. Vernon  A Pictorial History" there were three reservoirs in Mt. Vernon.    Number one was a small reservoir that held a capacity of about 10 million gallons of water and was formed by building a dam  across a small ravine on the west side of the city.  Another reservoir was built in 1893 across Casey Fork Creek north of town on Tolle road with a small, steam-pumping station on the creek bank.  The city's third reservoir , the "new reservoir" was built on the property of the Strattan family and is now known as Jaycee Lake.

Those Places Thursday - Jefferson County Courthouse x 5 - Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Most people who are from, or who have lived in, Jefferson County, Illinois know a little something about the County Courthouse located in the town square in Mt. Vernon.  In the nearly two-hundred year history of the Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County area there have actually been five courthouses constructed throughout these two centuries.  The first, a log building 18 feet by 20 feet by 13 feet high, was erected in 1819 for a total  of $160.00 by John Sanders.  

That building soon became obsolete and in 1821 county commissioners contracted for a second building to be built.  That courthouse was not actually completed until 1829 by builder McBride.  The building was made of brick, twenty by thirty feet, two stories high and the total cost was $780.93.  In 1839 a portion of the courthouse fell down and the entire town came together and razed the entire structure.  By the end of 1841 a third courthouse had been constructed for a cost of $5500.  This 40 feet square structure had a cupola supported by pillars and surrounded by a railing.  This courthouse was destroyed by the great tornado/cyclone of 1888.

A fourth courthouse was erected after the disaster (see postcards#1, #2 and #3 below) and was in use until 1939.

Jefferson Co Courthouse - Postcard Postmarked Sep 1912

Jefferson Co Courthouse - Postcard Postmarked Sep 1913

Jefferson Co Courthouse (note steeple removed) circa1935

A fifth and final courthouse was erected in 1939 (see postcards #4 and #5 below).  Please note Civil War canon at Northwest corner of the square.

5th & final Jefferson Co courthouse erected 1939

5th & final Jefferson Co courthouse erected 1939 postmarked 1949

Sources:

1.  Mt. Vernon A Pictorial History by Thomas A. Puckett, 1991, G. Bradley Publishing.

2.  Facts and Folks, A History of Jefferson County, Illinois, 1978, Jefferson County Illinois Historical Society, Taylor Publishing company, Dallas, TX.

Happy 4th of July! - Early 1900's Celebration on Mt. Vernon, IL Town Square

Mt. Vernon, IL town square prob 1904 - 1910

This real photo postcard depicts the Mt. Vernon, IL town square in the early 1900's, most likely between 1904 and 1910. It appears to be celebration of some sort, there are what appear to be women of the Salvation Army or a similar organization standing in line in the front of the card.  There are numerous other people milling about including at least one child carrying the American Flag.  I am not certain as to the exact location on the square, but I believe the courthouse to be to the right.  

I am basing my dating of this card on several things.  First of all it is unfortunate that the card was not postmarked and mailed, but the Azo Card Company used different stamp box marks during different time periods.  This stamp box (see picture below) has four diamonds in the corners all pointing upwards which means this card could have been produced between 1904 and 1918.   Secondly, there are horse and buggies in this picture and no motor cars which were being made during this time frame.  I am sure there were people in Mt. Vernon who had motor cars as early as 1904, however not everyone could have afforded them and would still be using a horse and buggy.  Third, the other women in the photograph are wearing  shirtwaist type dresses which are more in line with the 1900 - 1910 era.  Since I know that the card was not made before 1904, I can only assume that the earliest this could have been taken was 1904 and possibly a few years after that.

It is still a wonderful piece of Mt. Vernon history and hopefully more information will be found to determine it's date and purpose.

Sepia Saturday #124 - Mt. Vernon, IL Car Manufacturing Co - Car Shops

This postcard shows six (unidentified) workers from the Mt. Vernon, IL Car Manufacturing Co or better known as the "Car Shops."  It's not a miniature train like the one in Sepia Saturday's theme this week, but I thought it would be a great entry anyway.  The car shops manufactured train cars in Mt. Vernon starting in 1890 and lasting for sixty-four years. The first president of the shops was David O. Settlemire; his son-in-law Walter C. Arthurs was his secretary-treasurer.  During its heyday around 1912, 50 cars a day were rolled out.  My own great-grandfather, Joseph W. Wade was for a time a Foreman/Manager at the car shops around 1912- 1928 and was quite prosperous.

Unfortunately, this postcard was not mailed so there is no postmark date.  However, by using the symbol in the upper right hand corner on the back side of the postcard "Cyko" I was able to determine this card was made between 1906 and 1915.

Please check out the other great stories at Sepia Saturday this week.

Travel Tuesday - Valentine Sentiment from L & N Train Station, Mt. Vernon, IL - 100 Yrs Ago Today

L & N Train Station, Mt. Vernon, IL ca 1910

Although not a Valentine's Day card, I thought this postcard of the L & N Train Depot in Mt. Vernon, Illinois sent on February 14, 1912 was very fitting for today's post.  The postcard appears to have been sent by John Barlett Jr. to his wife, Mrs. Jno. Bartlett, Jr. at 1028 W. Thorman (?) St. in Springfield, MO.  Evidently, for whatever reason he was staying in Mt. Vernon and sent this very loving message to his wife:

2/14/12:  My own darling, Rec'd your loving letter today and was more than pleased to hear from my lover. As I do not intend to come back up town tonight I bought some postals to mail instead of a letter.  Will write a long letter tomorrow night.  Am sorry indeed to hear that Eugenie is not so well.  As ever your own, John.

There is a numeral 2 circled on the back as well as  a "#2" on the front which possibly indicates this was the second of two postcards mailed.  This postcard for some reason was postmarked Feb 14, 1912 on the back and Feb, 15, 2012 on the front.  It sounds like John loved and missed his wife very much. Very romantic even though it was not a Valentine,  wish I knew what the first postcard said.

Those Places Thursday - 1954 Fort Lauderdale on Andrews Avenue

Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 1940's - 1950's

My Smith relatives (grandparents, great-grandparents, grand aunts and uncles) began moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Mt. Vernon, Illinois in the 1950's.  This postcard depicts Andrews Avenue which was once a popular destination for shoppers and visitors in Fort Lauderdale.   This card which was postmarked 1954 gives a good feeling for the times.

Those Places Thursday - Jordan Street - Mt. Vernon, IL

A postcard depicting Jordan Street East from 8th Street in Mt. Vernon, IL circa 1910.

Those Places Thursday - Porter & Bonds Drugs - Mt. Vernon, IL

Another postcard depicting Porter & Bond Drugs in Mt. Vernon, IL on the corner of South Union and Broadway (tenth & Broadway today, see Tom Puckett's book).  I don't remember this drugstore, but I do recognize this building. The first picture is the postcard I purchased and I'm guessing this picture was taken either in the 1930's or 1940's. I'm  not an expert on old cars so any help nailing down the time I would appreciate.

The second picture is a drawing from the June 24, 1893 issue of the Mt. Vernon Daily Register. According to the corresponding article, "Dr. S. S. Porter, of St. Louis, and Rufus J. Bond, are the proprietors of the drug store at the southwest corner of the square.  This firm carries an immense stock of drugs, paints, oils, glass, wall paper and patent medicines.  The resident manager, Mr. Bond, is one of our solid, substantial citizens and is in for everything that will improve Mt. Vernon."

According to William Henry Perrin*  Rufus J. Bond, was born 11 Nov 1847 in Shiloh Township, a son of Michael Bond, a native of North Carolina who came to this county in 1829.  Rufus was educated in Jefferson County and began clerking in the drug store of Samuel S. Porter at the age of twenty-two.  By 1893 he was a partner with a half-interest in the store.

From the Saturday Herald (Decatur, IL) 25 Feb 1888, Porter & Bond was one of the many buildings in Mt. Vernon that was totally destroyed by the cyclone that hit Mt. Vernon on 20 Feb 1888.

*History of Jefferson County Illinois, 1883, Chicago, Globe Publishing Co.

Those Places Thursday - Broadway - Mt. Vernon, IL

This postcard from my collection circa 1900 - 1910 depicts Broadway, one of the main streets in Mt. Vernon, IL looking East from 10th Street.  The Courthouse would be on the left corner behind the trees and lamppost.

Those Places Thursday - Maid Rite Drive-In - Mt. Vernon, IL

Maid-Rite Drive-In, Mt. Vernon, IL ca 1957

I bought this postcard of the Maid Rite Drive-In in Mt. Vernon, IL where I grew up and I swear I remember this place from my childhood, but can't picture where it is.  According to obituaries in the Mt. Vernon Register News, it was owned and operated by Fred and Rosemarie Lampp for many years.  Rosemarie died in 2005 and Fred in 2008.  I also found this information on another blog site, Jerry's Place,  and according to the poster the restaurant was "out on old Fairfield Road around the next curve was the Maid-Rite Cafe. It would have been next door west to what is now a radio/television supply company. The building was a pre-fab military surplus building made of plywood and had flat steel bracing. I think the old concrete pad is still there where the building used to be. It was a sit down eating place , not a drive-in, that had a full menu and the first place I ever saw them sell the sandwich known as the "Maid-Rite".

The back of the postcard says "Closed Mondays, Specializing in Tendorized Hickory Barbecued Ribs (the Rib that's different--there's meat on it), Barbecued Pork Tenderloin, Beef and Chicken.  Steaks, Chops, Chicken Dinners.  Variety of good Sandwiches.  Phone 501 for Quicker Service on dinners or sandwiches.  Will also furnish Food for Picnics or Parties.  Courteous Service."  The postcard was mailed and is dated December 1957.  There is also a name and return address of 747 Fairfield Road which may be the address of the Maid-Rite.

CORRECTION:  After receiving a comment from a reader who pointed out there was a Maid-Rite Drive-In on 10th Street in Mt. Vernon, I did some more research and found newspaper ads and articles between 1951 and 1957 showing a Maid-Rite Drive-In located at 751 Fairfield Road, Grover C. Cook, Proprietor.  In May of 1957 it appears the contents were placed for sale.  Starting in 1961 I found ads for a Maid-Rite located at 10th and Conger, Fred and Rosemarie Lampp, owners.  So my information above that the Lampps were the owners of this property seems to be incorrect, instead it was Grover C. Cook.  Thanks for commenting!  1/11/12

Sentimental Sunday - Holiday from the Past

Merry Christmas!  I like to imagine these are my ancestors hanging their stockings on Christmas Eve!

Those Places Thursday - Methodist Orphanage - Mt. Vernon, IL

This picture postcard postmarked 1946 is the Methodist Children's Home in my hometown, Mt. Vernon, IL.  I remember as a young girl while in grades three and four having a friend from the orphanage; I couldn't really grasp why she lived there, why she couldn't come to my house for sleepovers, etc.  Looking back as an adult I see  this picture and realize how lucky I was to have two parents and a real home.

The orphanage was relocated to this building in 1921 from Creal Springs.

Egyptian Hospital - Mt. Vernon, IL

This postcard depicts a short-lived hospital from Mt.Vernon from nearly one hundred years ago.  According to Dr. Charles K. Wells, M.D. in his book, "A. History of Hospitals in Jefferson County, Illinois" the Egyptian Hospital was only in operation between the years of 1909 - 1919.¹ It was located in a brick building erected by Mrs. Walter Fly at 106-108 North Eleventh Street.²

It was originally run by Dr. J. W. Hamilton, then eventually taken over by Dr. J. T. Whitlock until 1917 upon the onset of WWI when a number of doctors from Mt. Vernon volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces.  With the failing health of Dr. Whitlock, the hospital was for a short time taken over by Dr. S.A. Thompson until it was turned into the Illinois Hotel sometime before 1920.  It was later torn down and the site became a parking lot.

Sources: 

¹ A History of Hospitals in Jefferson County, Illinois.  Dr. Charles K. Wells, M.D.  1993 Azusa Printing, Mt. Vernon, 62864.

² Mt. Vernon A Pictorial History by Thomas A. Puckett, 1991 G. Bradley Publishing, Inc. United States.

International Shoe Factory - Mt. Vernon, Illinois

I have been shamefully absent from my blogs the past month for a myriad of excuses, first vacation, then a death in the family, stresses at work and finally just plain laziness.  I was going through a number of old postcards I have purchased and this particular one struck me as I remember my Grandmother, Doris Wade Smith, telling me how she went to work at the Shoe Factory when she was just fifteen years old.  This would have been around 1928, I believe when her father, Joseph Wade, lost his job with the "Car Shops" in Mt. Vernon and she had to leave school and get a job to help out her family.  It appears, however, by the 1930 Census of Madison County, Illinois that Joseph had moved his family to the Village of Madison and secured a job as a machinist at the Car & Foundry Co. and my grandmother was back in school.

International Shoe Factory, Mt. Vernon, IL

I remember seeing this old building all my life, it is located at 19th Street and Perkins in Mt. Vernon, IL.  It was owned by the International Shoe Factory and produced many famous lines of shoes.  According to an article in the Mt. Vernon Register News, April 15, 1964 in the text of a speech given by M. R. Chambers, President of the International Shoe Factory, "the production of the 75,000 square foot building was finished and production started in 1920."  By 1963 the factory had made over 31,755,000 pairs of shoes and at one time employed over 800 people.  Sometime In 1968 it announced it's closure of the factory; In July 1969 in another Register News story, Florsheim Shoes stated their intention to take over the factory and keep on many of the 350 employees.

Those Places Thursday - Downtown Mt. Vernon, IL

Another postcard that I purchased of my hometown of Mt. Vernon, IL - this one is from the West side of the square.  This is the Third National Bank and it is postmarked 1909.  According to Thomas Puckett's book "Mt. Vernon, A Pictorial History, 1991 the address is 101 South Tenth.

This is what this site looks like today:

According to Wall's History of Jefferson County (thanks to cousin Jim Smith for sending me the Google search on this):

The bank was formed by a company of prominent citizens, John R. Allen, A. C. Johnson, D. H. Warren, R. J. Bond, W. C. Arthurs, I. G. Gee Morris Emmerson., L. L. Emmerson and F. E. Patton, who became the directors with others, purchased the Evans and Gee Banking Company and organized the Third National Bank, an institution of which Mount Vernon is justly proud.  John R. Allen was chosen president; A. C. Johnson, vice-president; L. L. Emmerson, cashier; F. E. Patton, assistant cashier, and Charles H. Patton, attorney.  It was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and began business February 4, 1902.

In 1903, the Banking Company purchased the Harvey T. Pace Corner, removed the “old land marks" and erected the present magnificent three-story building, in the first floor of which the Third National Bank makes its home, with all the modern improvements of banking.  The building is an ornament to the city, the bank occupying the entire first floor, except an office in the west end occupied by the Electric, Light, Gas, Heat & Water Company.  The second and third stories contain twenty handsome office, the whole outfit being lighted , heated and watered from the city light, heat and water plants.  It is by far the most prominent and commodious business house in the city, and is continuously and fully occupied by many of our best business men.  Other business houses have followed in the wake of the Third National and have taken on the light, heat and water utilities.

The lot where the bank was erected was originally settled by the Maxey family in 1823.  Mr. Maxey built a log house on the site now occupied by the Third National Bank.  Additons were later added and the house stood where it  was originally bult unitl about 1902, when the old building were wrecked to make way for the new building of the Third National Bank. 


Source:  http://www.archive.org/stream/wallshistoryofje00wall/wallshistoryofje00wall_djvu.txt

Those Places Thursday - Mt. Vernon, Illinois Town Square View from Courthouse

Another great score from eBay, this postcard was postmarked 1916 and shows the town square view facing south from the Courthouse of my hometown Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Those Places Thursday - Appellate Court House - Abe Lincoln & Clara Barton Stopped Here

My hometown of Mt. Vernon, IL is located in Jefferson County with a population of 15,277 according to Wikipedia.  One of the jewels of this town, is the Appellate Court House, a building which I have seen all my life.  It's one of those things you just take for granted and is located at 14th and Main; a beautiful stone building with twin wrought iron stairways, the 5th District Appellate Courthouse was built around 1857 and is famous for when Abraham Lincoln came to town to try a court case for the Illinois Central Railroad. It took three weeks to bring the iron stairways for the front of the building from St. Louis to Mt. Vernon via ox-cart.

On February 19, 1888 the "Great Cyclone" of  Mt. Vernon struck and destroyed over five hundred buildings, killed thirty citizens and injured several hundred other residents of Mt. Vernon.  An appeal went out for help to relief committees and medical providers.   Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross came to town to help the citizens of Mt. Vernon and an emergency hospital was housed in the Appellate Courthouse under her supervision.  Today the courthouse looks much as it did one-hundred and fifty years ago when it was first constructed.

Those Places Thursday - Mt. Vernon, Illinois Town Square

I bought this old postcard on eBay of my hometown, Mt. Vernon, Illinois postmarked 1915 that shows the North side of the downtown square looking West.   I just love these old postcards because I can imagine my ancestors strolling the streets, or perhaps pulling up to a store in their horse and buggy to go shopping.

Mt. Vernon, IL Postcard Postmarked 1915

Those Places Thursday - Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, IL

Here are two views of the hospital I was born at in 1955, Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  The first is a postcard circa 1943 and the hospital was called Mt. Vernon Hospital at that time which I never knew.  This picture was taken I believe from the North side.

Mt. Vernon Hosp . 1919 - 1943

Correction (July 4, 2012):  Pointed out to me by a interested reader, the first postcard is actually the Mt. Vernon Hospital operated by Dr. S. A. Thompson between 1919 - 1943 on North Twelfth Street until it became the Good Samaritan Hospital and operated by the Sisters of Saint Francis officially on January 1 1944.  The second postcard below is the second Good Samaritan Hospital built and opened by the Sisters with funding from a number of sources in 1952.  A new Good Samaritan Hospital is being built this year and scheduled to open February 2013.

This second postcard, I believe is dated circa 1959-1960 based on the 1959 Mercury in the picture.  No, I am not an expert on cars, this was noted on the card when I purchased it.  :-)  This picture is taken from the Southeast.

Good Samaritan Hosp - Opened by Sisters of St. Francis 1952

All of my brothers and sisters were also born in this hospital.  Additionally, my twin uncles, Daniel and David Smith were the first twins ever born in the hospital operated by the Sisters of Saint Frances on December 30, 1945,  their picture was hung in the lobby and moved to the new hospital when opened in 1952 and hung there for a number of  years.