Friday, February 16, 2007

Beardstown, Illinois: January 2007


Let us now dig Beardstown, an Illinois River town that’s faded some since its heyday but is still holding its own.

Beardstown was first settled in 1819, and it’s best known as a stop on the young Abraham Lincoln’s law circuit and as a great place to grow watermelons.

Jazz vibraphonist Red Norvo was born in Beardstown, and for a time in the 1980s the city was also known for the Beardstown Ladies, an investment club made up of seniors who were known nationwide for achieving unusually high returns on their investments until a close look at their bookkeeping revealed that they were, whether intentionally or accidentally, fudging some of the numbers.

I first visited Beardstown in September 2000, and at the time it struck me as a particularly rough-and-tumble place. I took a few photos, and I didn’t make it back for just over six years. A lot of the mid-century landmarks I’d photographed were gone by this time, but I also found a few I hadn’t seen before. One, in fact, despite its obvious age, appears to have taken up residence in Beardstown since my last visit.

Beardstown has had a bowling alley at 218-222 West Main for over sixty years (it appeared in the city directory in 1943, but not 1939), and it has a pretty wonderful vintage neon sign. I’m just not sure if the sign itself has been here that long. Wouldn’t I have taken a picture of it on my last visit, since I photographed an arguably less interesting building right across the street? You’d think so, wouldn’t you? Or maybe—just maybe—the sign wasn’t there. It’s entirely possible that the Peacocks, who have owned Beardstown Bowl since 1998, fitted it with a “gently-used” sign from another town. Or maybe I ran out of film last time I was in Beardstown, and just forgot about it. Either way, it’s definitely the city’s coolest piece of neon.


Upstairs from the bowling alley—which was bustling with high school kids on a field trip when I stopped in—is the Riverview Restaurant, accessible by elevator or by a narrow spiral staircase in the bar. The back wall is all windows, facing the Illinois River with its landmark drawbridge.


The building I had photographed across from the bowling alley, incidentally, is an old Coca-Cola bottling plant built in the ‘50s. Its Coke days were over by 2000, but I didn’t take note of what it was being used for back then, if I could even tell. It’s now been transformed into an arcade and skating rink, and the Coca-Cola logo bas relief is still visible, thankfully. I’m including my photo from 2000 here because it shows the logo in greater detail.


On the next block, above the Main Street Tap, someone is leading by example: If you’ve got a broken window, board it up with civic pride!

Watering holes in and around Beardstown have sported some intriguing names. The Sazarac has been going for over 70 years in different locations under different owners, and it’s named after an ancient and relatively obscure cocktail that apparently originated in New Orleans and was originally made with absinthe. A mile east of town was the exotically-named Bal Tabarin nightclub. The original Bal Tabarin was a legendary hot spot in Paris (and the subject of a movie made in 1952, when Beardstown’s version was already up and running), but I think it’s likely that the small-town Illinois version took its name secondhand from San Francisco’s Bal Tabarin, a popular watering hole in the first half of the last century.

Two of the saloons found in the 1915 Beardstown directory are still serving drinks over eighty years later: The Mile 88 (formerly Ira Howell’s, the Capitol Bar and then the Nook) and Looker’s (formerly McClain & Buck’s, Baker’s, and the Arrow).

But back to Main Street: Beatty Hardware was also along this stretch. Below is a photo from the store’s advertisement in the 1915 city directory, along with a photo I took in 2000, when the store was out of business but a beautifully-lettered sign still decorated a window. It’s gone now.


A prominent downtown landmark is the old Quaker Oats advertisement painted on the side of a building. It’s been touched up since I took the fall 2000 photo on the left, but—as you can see in the 2007 photo on the right—a handsome old building across the street has been demolished since then. It was one of several structures in Beardstown faced with a distinctive dark-gray brick I’ve seldom seen elsewhere.


The downtown neon roundup concludes with a pair of vintage signs placed by fraternal organizations.


Situated around the picturesque town square (seen in the title picture at the top of this entry) are an array of shops and restaurants, along with the old Carnegie Library that now serves as a City Hall annex. (The present library is a new, prairie-style building at the edge of town, and it’s one of the most attractive small-town library buildings I’ve ever seen.) I love finding remnants of long-gone businesses, and the doorways of a hair salon and a dollar store on State Street still bear the stamp of a former occupant.


There’s another business district spread out along 4th Street, containing several businesses serving the town’s large Hispanic population. There’s also the old Princess Theater, a sturdy black-brick edifice that’s been closed for years but still appears to be in pretty good shape—at least on the outside. The marquee close-up is from 2000; the other photo from January 2007.


A nearby gas station, despite its humble wooden construction, apparently tried to update its look to suit the Streamline Moderne era by adding a curve here and there.

Closer to the edge of town is a tiny house with a winch and several blank tombstones in the back yard. As the rusty old sign leaning against the house reveals, it was once a sales office for monuments.

My favorite vanished Beardstown landmark (at least I think it’s vanished; I’m pretty sure I remember where it used to be) is the old Starlight Drive-In sign. It remained on Arenzville Road long after the drive-in theater was closed and demolished. I could certainly be wrong, but I think when I took the following photos in 2000, the drive-in site had become a pig farm.

...A pig farm with a kick-ass sign.


That’s what I came away with after a day in Beardstown, digging in the library and walking around looking for pieces of the past. If anyone’s got any enlightening back-stories for any of the places pictured or mentioned above—or any corrections--I’d love to hear ‘em. An encyclopedia entry may boil a town’s history down to an Abe Lincoln sighting or two, but the stores, theaters and bars are where the people live, work, and play, and they contain a town’s real spirit. Their stories shouldn’t be lost.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was so excited to come across your photographs..living in Beardstown we often overlook some of the things you took the time to photograph.

Anonymous said...

I love these photos! I just ran across a great resource for midcentury items. I thought you would enjoy! www.objectsintheloft.com

Darren Snow said...

objectsintheloft.com is pretty fantastic. It reminds me a little of a vintage-furniture store I saw on Beverly Blvd. in Hollywood, just down the street from the CBS studios.
It was closed when I saw it, so all I could do was look through the windows. ...not that I could afford anything in there anyway!

Anonymous said...

While stationed in the Sinai Desert, Egypt I questioned one of the new guys about where he was from. I being from Davenport, Iowa, knew a few little towns as he replied, “from a little town in Illinois.” I never could have guessed Beardstown, IL. I was fortunate to have a mother from Beardstown and family still living in Beardstown; and was able to reply, “Oh, you’re a Beardstown Tiger?” The look was priceless. You have a very valuable blog going here, and if I can ever submit any old photos I’ll make sure to send them your way.

David Moeller

Anonymous said...

Makes Me Want To Drive Back There This Summer---I Dont Know How Many Relation I Still Have In Tis Town But At One Time There Was Many---I Would have To Go Into My Mother's Cedar Chest To Find All the Names But Two I Do Remember--REBMAN--BLACK--My Grandmother's Maden Name Was--MESSERER--My Great-Great Grandmother's Name Was SOHPIE MESSERER---I Am Retired So I Do Have Lots Of Time---Thanks For The Pictures

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the wonderful pics! I grew up in B-town, and as far back as I can remember, that is the sign that was over the bowling alley. I am 50.

Anonymous said...

I was very exited to see the photographs of my home town! I would agree that the many towns I have been through Beardstown has many unique Buildings that I hope will stand and be taken care of for many years to come. Once you have grown up there your heart never leaves. I have many relatives that still live there including my parents and I do have a chance to visit, but never really stop and take in the history like I should. The pictures and history that you have included will make me more aware of taking the time to realize how important the history of Beardstown is. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your blog/site as well. I am currently the website designer for the Beardstown Houston Memorial Library ( http://www.beardstown.lib.il.us ). I am always looking for new resources for Beardstown history, so I'd like to include a link on our site to your blog if I may.

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Matt Hobrock
Website Designer
Beardstown Houston Memorial Library
email: beardlib@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Just happened upon this site and was amazed at the pictures. I grew up in Beardstown and have not been back in a long time. Was sorry to see some of the buildings gone. The Arrow restaurant always had the best fried catfish - my aunt was a fixture there! Our class graduation party was held above the bowling alley in 1965. I remember that sign as always being there. My Dad and Mr. Beatty were great friends and had coffee together every Friday night. My grandfather worked the railroad and also the flour mill and my mother worked at the Glove Factory.
It was a small town, but a great place to grow up. I hope the rest of the buildings remain for future generations.

Anonymous said...

I taught at the high school in the late seventies and absolutely LOVED the town and it's people!!

My husband and I would go to the Arrow restaurant every Friday for the best fish dinner around!

Anonymous said...

Love your photography...although I'm from a more southwestern region of the US, the pictures definitely bring to mind my own early years growing up in TX. Nice job - very nostalgic. Judy, Henderson, Nevada. http://sweetcottagecharm.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

I live in Beardstown and I love it I hate it sometimes but I do still love it my children live here also and they appriciate it also



BEARDSTOWN ROCKS !!!!

Anonymous said...

Good day !.
might , probably very interested to know how one can make real money .
There is no need to invest much at first. You may begin to get income with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you thought of all the time
The company incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

Its head office is in Panama with affiliates everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your chance That`s what you wish in the long run!

I`m happy and lucky, I started to get income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to select a proper partner who uses your savings in a right way - that`s AimTrust!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first deposit was 1 grand only!
It`s easy to join , just click this link http://ohydozar.kogaryu.com/tygobymu.html
and go! Let`s take our chance together to become rich

Anonymous said...

Hi !.
might , probably very interested to know how one can make real money .
There is no initial capital needed You may commense earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
The company incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with structures around the world.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your chance That`s what you wish in the long run!

I`m happy and lucky, I began to get income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to select a proper partner who uses your savings in a right way - that`s AimTrust!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first deposit was 1 grand only!
It`s easy to join , just click this link http://isygobug.arcadepages.com/yjovuh.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take our chance together to get rid of nastiness of the life

Anonymous said...

Hello !.
You may , perhaps curious to know how one can make real money .
There is no initial capital needed You may begin to get income with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you thought of all the time
AimTrust incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

Its head office is in Panama with structures everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your chance That`s what you wish in the long run!

I feel good, I started to get real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to choose a correct companion utilizes your savings in a right way - that`s the AimTrust!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to get involved , just click this link http://vojafyse.freehostyou.com/izypygeq.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take our chance together to get rid of nastiness of the life

Anonymous said...

Hi !.
You may , probably curious to know how one can reach 2000 per day of income .
There is no need to invest much at first. You may start earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
The firm represents an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with affiliates everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your choice That`s what you wish in the long run!

I feel good, I started to get real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to select a correct companion utilizes your savings in a right way - that`s it!.
I make 2G daily, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to join , just click this link http://ivesexyqul.wtcsites.com/jiwinu.html
and go! Let`s take our chance together to become rich

Anonymous said...

Hello !.
You may , probably very interested to know how one can make real money .
There is no initial capital needed You may commense to receive yields with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
AimTrust incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with affiliates around the world.
Do you want to become an affluent person?
That`s your choice That`s what you desire!

I feel good, I started to take up real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to select a proper partner who uses your funds in a right way - that`s AimTrust!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to join , just click this link http://dunejamuwu.freewebsitehosting.com/nidujas.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take this option together to feel the smell of real money

Anonymous said...

Good day, sun shines!
There have been times of troubles when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright stupid person.
I have never thought that there weren't any need in big initial investment.
Nowadays, I feel good, I started to get real money.
It gets down to select a correct companion who uses your money in a right way - that is incorporate it in real deals, parts and divides the profit with me.

You may get interested, if there are such firms? I'm obliged to answer the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:
http://theblogmoney.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there!
I would like to burn a theme at here. There is such a thing, called HYIP, or High Yield Investment Program. It reminds of financial piramyde, but in rare cases one may happen to meet a company that really pays up to 2% daily not on invested money, but from real profits.

For quite a long time, I make money with the help of these programs.
I don't have problems with money now, but there are heights that must be conquered . I get now up to 2G a day , and my first investment was 500 dollars only.
Right now, I managed to catch a guaranteed variant to make a sharp rise . Turn to my blog to get additional info.

[url=http://theinvestblog.com] Online investment blog[/url]

Ken said...

I played in a rock band above the old bowling alley...late sixties, early seventies. It's a great town but in that era it was the only place we had to bring "protection" along with us to get our equipment and bodies safely out of town. Two thugs a night at five bucks a pop.
Nice town...just had its rough moments .. (or maybe they were just commented upon our musicianship)
--Ken Bradbury

Anonymous said...

Hello!
You may probably be very curious to know how one can manage to receive high yields on investments.
There is no need to invest much at first.
You may begin to get income with a sum that usually is spent
for daily food, that's 20-100 dollars.
I have been participating in one project for several years,
and I'm ready to share my secrets at my blog.

Please visit my pages and send me private message to get the info.

P.S. I make 1000-2000 per daily now.

http://theinvestblog.com [url=http://theinvestblog.com]Online Investment Blog[/url]

Anonymous said...

Good day, sun shines!
There have been times of troubles when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright stupid person.
I have never imagined that there weren't any need in large initial investment.
Now, I feel good, I begin to get real income.
It's all about how to choose a proper partner who uses your money in a right way - that is incorporate it in real deals, and shares the profit with me.

You may ask, if there are such firms? I have to answer the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:
http://theinvestblog.com [url=http://theinvestblog.com]Online Investment Blog[/url]

Anonymous said...

Good day!

Sure, you’ve heard about me, because my fame is running in front of me,
friends call me Peter.
Generally I’m a social gmabler. for a long time I’m keen on online-casino and poker.
Not long time ago I started my own blog, where I describe my virtual adventures.
Probably, it will be interesting for you to read my notes.
Please visit my diary. http://allbestcasino.com I’ll be glad would you find time to leave your opinion.

Anonymous said...

Howdy,

I keep coming to this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]midcenturydream.blogspot.com really contains lot of useful information. Frankly speaking we really do not pay attention towards our health. In plain english I must warn you that, you are not serious about your health. Recent Research indicates that nearly 50% of all U.S. adults are either obese or weighty[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Hence if you're one of these citizens, you're not alone. Infact many among us need to lose 10 to 20 lbs once in a while to get sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now next question is how you can achive quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is really not as tough as you think. Some improvement in of daily activity can help us in losing weight quickly.

About me: I am author of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also mentor who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under hard training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for effortless weight loss.

Molly Carpenter said...

I found a fantastic Natural Herbal Cleanse. Check out my blog for more info.

Herbal Cleanse

Herbal Colon Cleanse

Master Cleanse

Anonymous said...

I really like your blog and i really appreciate the excellent quality content you are posting here for free for your online readers. thanks peace sandro

contactos en valencia said...

This will not work as a matter of fact, that's what I consider.

Anonymous said...

Boy, you get some real whack-jobs leaving assinine, unrelated comments on your site here. I just wanted to say the sign on the bowling alley has been there since at least 1954, according to my parents, both from Beardstown. (they tell me their first date was at that bowling alley)...

Anonymous said...

is confusing, I mean I must admit it is confusing and even, even s writers in the psychoanalytic literature get confused by this, because sometimes they, they http://buyviagraonlineauviagra-au.com#2416 buy Viagra au we flop by the tent and lie in the bliss of our aching limbs. Plan B was no plan, and with no plan could not really fail. POSTSCRIPT http://buyviagra100mgcostviagraonline.co.uk#3134 Viagra cost uk Enjoying yourself while you exercise to lose weight will help build your self-esteem, which will enhance your will power

Anonymous said...

Your face gets the right treatment it needs while making you look prettier, and you don't have to be pestered by your conscience that you used products that have negative environmental impact and may very well have a negative impact on your health lumigan price It is an antioxidant that prevents the cells from damages caused by free radicals
The first thing that you have to do is to add some lubricant to the penis generic cymbalta The symptoms of depression can be complex
You can consume garlic internally or you can even apply it directly to your vagina viagra for women au You do NOT have to go broke to get ripped
Moreover, they do not carry a heavy price tag as most other penis enlargement devices and techniques do iressa price There are many so-called guaranteed remedies to help you increase the size of your better half
In parts of the world such as Japan and China where high cholesterol foods are less common, the average cholesterol level is about 150 mg/dl No Prior Script Effexor Studies, however, show that this heart weakening can be reversed by eating the Acai berry while losing fat all over the body

Anonymous said...

Invest in a Juice Machine lumigan uk What is acne? Most people probably have no idea what is the reddish round thing that grows on their faces is, or the white or black tiny speckles that are seen on the face - and how to treat it
This contrasts with men who suffer more from a receding hairline and a bald patch cheap cymbalta Much has been said about diet and nutrition, and their influence on people who are depressed.
Stretching and massaging actions done on your organ encourages better blood flow into the tissue-like blood chambers inside it women Viagra uk Some of the new methods include hormonal therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, herbal remedies and exercises
Goji berries help manage and reverse obesity, impedes cancer, prevent age-related macular degeneration, restores hair color, activates the immune response, helps to preventing morning nausea in pregnant women, and it is used to treat sexual dysfunctions and infertility buy iressa They help to keep the skin plump
Here are a few of the benefits directly related to heart disease:oSlows atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries Celebrex 2

Anonymous said...

Gyms' membership is available for either a per-visit charge or a monthly subscription fee buy lumigan uk The point is, is you do not have to live on peas and cabbage if you are a vegan
4 buy cymbalta cost Hormonal changes in women often cause horrible depressive conditions. Be sure you’re protected.
Because the body does not transform free fatty acids into muscle, fat enters the bloodstream and disappears over time viagra for women au Remember that a diet's main recipe is having a strong sense of determination and will power, so always be dedicated!
It just so happens that several kettlebell lifts do this to one degree or another purchase iressa This can add up to more than a few extra pounds at the end of your trip
So, think safety first How to buy Captopril Tonsil stones are by far, the most common known cause of bad breath tonsils

Anonymous said...

для взросленьких деток [url=http://aftertube.net.ua/tags/%EE%ED%EB%E0%E9%ED/]онлайн[/url] Русское порно про то как [url=http://aftertube.net.ua/tags/%ED%E0%E1%EB%FE%E4%E0%F2%FC/]наблюдать[/url]
только для тех кому есть 18 лет

Anonymous said...

Ι everу tіme emailed this website post
page to all my frіends, аs if lіke to reаd it after thаt my friends will too.


My ωeb-site personal reputation management