Memories of Main Street

Main Street in the early 20th Century

 I can't tell you how many times over the years I have wondered about things from "back in the day," and have wished I would have asked my parents a lot more questions and recorded the information. Fortunately, life-long Raymond resident, Anna Uhrig, enjoyed writing and she shared her memories in Raymond's 125th Anniversary Book that was published in 1996.

Anna was the daughter of William and Margaret Coen Fireman. She married John Uhrig (son of Thomas and Druscilla Hebenstreit Uhrig) at St. Raymond's Church in 1927. For fifty years, the couple lived at the junction of Route 66 and Route 48, and according to the Uhrig family history printed in Raymond's Anniversary Book, it was quite an experience: People stopped by to use the telephone, to call for help at a wreck, or because they had run out of gas. The orchard fence was damaged so many times by wrecks, it was finally removed when the road was widened. The white chickens were quite an advertisement and many eggs were sold to customers from St. Louis to Chicago. Later, the Stop Lite Cafe and Standard Service Station were built on the corner.

Anna eventually moved to town, where, according to the book, she spent her time crocheting, quilting, and writing verses. She was a sweet lady, and I am so thankful that she took the time to record her memories of Raymond:  

Anna Uhrig

As I Remember Main Street
by Anna F. Uhrig

Having lived near and around Raymond, and now in Raymond, for all of my soon to be ninety years, I Anna Uhrig, have recollections of many services no longer on Main Street, now Broad Street. I was born on a farm six miles north of Raymond and at the age of five, and moved with my family to a farm southeast of Raymond, which was my home until my marriage in 1927. I lived in the square white house on the comer of the junction of Routes 127 and 48 and I-55 for the next 50 years and now I am in town, just a half block off Main Street, now Broad Street. 

Memory tells me that the present library was the home of the Doyle family whose son donated the home for the library. The present home of Veda Slightom was owned by the Dr. Kenton family who had two sons, Harold and Bruce.

Part of the Mizera home, by the present bank, was the sacristy of the old St. Raymond Church which was tom down when the present St. Raymond Church was built. The First National Bank stands on property that was Ira Doyle's Livery Stable where you could rent a stall horse for horses being ridden or driven to High School. Later, Henry Bergman had a black smith shop there where he shod horses and sharpened plow shares.

Another view of Main Street in the early 20th Century

On the local Post Office site was a large wooden two story building that housed Whalen's Poultry and Egg Station. Mr. Newt Scott drove a wagon through the country, collecting poultry and eggs from the local women.

The Walch store of memorabilia across the street, housed Roy Reineke's Hardware Store where new stoves could be purchased as well as hardware. Later, the Raymond News was published there.

The present bowling alley was the local theater where pictures and many local plays were given. In fact, my High School graduating Class of 1924 received our diplomas on the stage as that part of the new Community High School had not been finished. On one side of the entrance to the theater was Gutherie's Jewelry Store and the other side was Dr. Driskell's office. Later, Boss McConathy had a barber shop there. The present school office housed the First National Bank. J.E. McDavid, Clarence McNaughton, D.D. Cox, and Alvin Carriker were officers there for many years.

Perry Donini (brother of Dot Pinkston), owned and operated the Raymond Food Market on Main Street from 1936 - 1978. 

Next in line was a grocery store owned by A.W. Foster, and later by Perry Donini. An exercise gym, The Lift Station, now occupies the space.

The Dance Studio was a pool room owned by Ted Lessman, then by Gino Casolari. When he died, his wife Louisa ran the business for several years before returning to Italy.

One of the Walch's stores was a millinery store, run by the Werts sisters who hand-made many of the beautiful hats sold there. The middle Walch Electric Store was Elmer Eickoff's Feed Store.

The next building was a beauty shop occupied by Margaret Jenkins, and later by Irene Brachear.

The present town hall was the Raymond Post Office. The Post Mistress was Miss Mayme Convery, assisted by her nephew, John Convery, who later became Postmaster.

The corner wash was Stoeveners Mens Clothing Store. Above it was the local dance hall, before the Legion Hall was built.

Across the railroad tracks was the Carlin Jones Lumber Company, managed by Sam Scherer and daughter Gladys, which later closed and was recently torn down.

The next block contained Mosby's Garage, a Kroger Store which later moved to Mizera's location, and the Raymond Cafe which was operated by various owners including Loretta Lessman. There was also a beauty shop owned by Temple Hough. In the early twenties, there was a variety store run by a Mr. Drake, and next, Sellers Grocery Store, also Elmer Carriker's barber shop. The Ford Garage was always a car dealership, again with various owners/managers, including Roman Herman, and now Glen Myers and Joe Martin.

George Haarstick owned and operated the Implement Store along Route 48. Later the Paul Brothers, and still later Leo Hannon operated the store. It is now occupied by Myers Radiator Shop.

Now, lets look across the now Route 48, where Deak Lewey ran the Shell Service Station. He was also the Saturday night banker for High Schoolers on dates - a few extra dollars added to the gas fill-up.

In crossing main street, we find a bus stop and gas station run by Alva McNeil. Local girls in nurse's training at St. John's caught the Sunday bus back to Springfield.

In that same block was Thacker's Grocery Store run by daughter Sara. Benning Equipment was a Case Dealer for many years, and Hanks Boats occupied a store before he moved to larger quarters along Route 48.

Ray Walch's Jack Shop and Lawn Mower Repair flourished for several years. Harris Barber Shop - where I got my long tresses changed to a short bob and styled neck line.

Emmett Hughes ran a harness Shop where the comer apartments are now located. He repaired harnesses as well as sold brass trimmed heavy duty sets of harness.

The Sorrells Elevator was managed by Frank Todt and later by others including Bob Deardorf. The present Sorrells Building on the comer was formerly the Raymond State Bank manned by Charles Scherer and later it was the dentist office of Dr. W.H. Scherer ably assisted by Mrs. Emma Seward. The back portion of the building was an apartment of Miss Blance Grubb, a retired school teacher.

Where the Legion Hall is now was a large frame two story house - The Raymond Hotel. Guests were stopovers from the Wabash Railroad Depot.

In the empty space next was the Raymond Mutual Telephone Office. Yes, Raymond had two telephone companies at one time. The other space now empty was Leo LaPlant's Restaurant. He was assisted by wife Elda for many years.

Harold Henderson sold pianos in one of the stores near by. Elmer Eckhoff operated a feed store, now occupied by Super Scissors and Slightom Insurance.

Mr. and Mrs. Gus McLean lived above his dry goods store. Miss Bertha Thompson was a loyal sales clerk. They later built the home now occupied by the David Mills family.

John Fehr had a shoe repair shop along that side also.

George Back and his wife operated Backs Ice Cream Parlor where the Edge Inn is now.

Miss Mary Poggenpohl, organist at St. Raymond Church, owned a variety store, later run by Mrs. Bandy and then her son, Charles Bandy.

One of Mizera's stores was a bakery at one time and one was a locker plant. The original grocery store, on the comer, was as one time a Kroger Store, operated by Clinton Tucker and later by Dorothy and LeRoy Amyx.Claude Maze sold groceries there for several years before Mizeras came to town.

The Watson Auto Repair Store was owned by Ray Trinkle who sold Chevrolet automobiles, and before him by Ray Guthrie who owned the business and lived where Miss Mary Whalen does beside the garage. They later moved to Florida when Mr. and Mrs. James Lyons purchased the house.

Many sales and services have closed, but many new ones have taken over and Raymond, Illinois is a very good place to call "home."

Max Deprinma's Restaurant in 1915. Pictured are the barber, Frank Harris and his son; Max Deprinma, Burress Seymour, Russell Yunker, Joe Beatty, and Kenneth Seymour. 

Seward's Store (around 1915)

Trinkle Motor Company owner and employees who operated the Chevrolet Agency in 1945 were (from left) Claude Todt, Salesman; Bill Long, Service Man; Carl DeWerff, Mechanic; Pauline Weerts, Bookkeeper; and Ray Trinkle, owner. (Ray Trinkle was Marge Hough's father.)