14Discover.FINAL_Layout 1 3/6/14 3:25 PM Page 22
ica hospitality often includes caroling by local church choirs. The holiday season kicks off in November when store owners host annual holiday Open Houses. Specific dates and events will be announced. Traditionally the open houses feature holiday treats, extended hours, caroling, special merchandise and more. The month of December is a busy one throughout the community as local churches host such events as a House Walk complete with a visit to The Candy Cane Cafe, special music with an Annual Christmas Cantata, school concerts, and much more. Santa comes to town with great fanfare and treats for all. For more information, contact the Arcola Chamber of Commerce. Historic Business District Arcola’s Main Street business district also features well-maintained, recently renovated historic buildings, including the Otto Building on Main Street. Recently, owner of the building and local businessman, Wilmer Otto, received national attention. He headed a group that arranged to have an authentic Mesker
Main St Gallery
Bros. Iron Works storefront (located in the neighboring town of Stewardson) restored and moved to Arcola to replace the facade of the landmark Arcola building. The Mesker storefront in Stewardson had graced the quickly deteriorating former Opera Hall there. The Otto Building’s original Mesker storefront was destroyed by fire in 1950. A special community ceremony dedicated the restoration project made possible through the collaboration of the two towns. There are also several other historic Mesker storefronts in Arcola. The Arcola Illinois Central Railroad Train Depot The Depot should be the first stop for visitors who come to the area. The historic brick building (circa 1885) is a welcome center, tourist information center, museum and the Arcola Chamber of Commerce offices. It contains visitor information about points of interests in Arcola, the nearby Amish settlement and the surrounding areas. After use of the building as a depot ended in 1973, the building was closed and fell into disrepair. When rumors reached community members that the railroad was considering tearing the building down, the then Arcola Chamber of Commerce president, Mrs. Mary Monahan, and other citizens asked her son, Pat, to contact the Illinois Central Railroad and try to arrange purchase of the building and lease of the surrounding land. The “Save The Depot” project is one of many success stories of Arcola citizens pulling together to accomplish a community goal. Two years after the project began, an Open House was held August 17, 1986 to celebrate completion of the project. This historic restored railroad depot now houses a museum containing a display of railroad memorabilia and an exhibit of old and new Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls. It holds books on the history of Arcola, broom corn, and the depot itself. Visitors will also find the largest brush and broom collection, donated by Louis Klein, who traveled the world collecting all kinds of brushes and brooms. There is also Arcola memorabilia from the schools, the old pharmacy—including the Coffee Club Cups (the club was made famous on Charles Kuralt’s Continued On Page 74
126 E. Main St., Arcola, IL 61910 (217) 493-3068 mainstphotoarcola@gmail.com
12
6N
o rt h O a k S t.
co ¦ Ar
la
Great Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches, Salads & Breadsticks! Home of The Family Pleaser Villa Grove
Shelbyville
Arcola
Tuscola
102 N. Sycamore
1900 W. Main
528 E. Springfield Rd.
900 S. Court
(217) 832-2361
(217) 774-4100
(217) 268-4141
(217) 253-4749
Open Daily at 11 a.m. • Famous for thin-crust pizza! PAGE 22 | 2014 Discover Visitor & Vacation Guide To Central Illinois