SVM_River City Living Summer 2021

The owner of a Fulton business Werx wonders at his shop

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New location, same goal: Helping you get into the swim of things

The past is a present for a Clinton County historical group

Take a trip down memory lane on some forgotten roads

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Publisher/Ad Director Jennifer Heintzelman Magazine editor & Page design Rusty Schrader Published by Sauk Valley Media 113 S. Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 815-284-2222 Have a story idea for River City Living? Let us know ...

Call 815-632-2531 or e-mail news@saukvalley.com Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of River City Living may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.

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He Werx wonders

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Getting into the swim of things

When it comes to turning something ordinary into something special, there’s not much a Fulton business owner can’t personalize.

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Whether you want to keep your cool this summer or become one of the jet-set year-round, a Clinton business can help.

Memories, sweetened through the ages

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The past is a present

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A trip down memory lane

Clinton County Historical Museum’s mission is more than just preserving pieces of the past, it’s about sharing their stories.

No matter your age, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store when you walk into a Clinton couple’s business.

A road by any other name is still a road, but through the years, some of those roads have had new futures mapped out for them.

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VM illustration Rusty Schrader/S

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BY CODY CUTTER | SAUK VALLEY MEDIA days of getting a treat from grandma’s goody jar are still alive and well – but you won’t find the jar on her kitchen counter.

These days, it’s on one of Clinton’s main drags.

But the treats are still sweet, and so are the memories they rekindle.

Mary Ann and Charles Sheppard are helping people create their own sweet memories, and they’re doing it at Grandma’s Goody Jar on North Second Street, where customers will find truffles, gummy bears, jelly beans, fudge, cow chips, wafers, candy bars, turtles, retro candy, and more.

Even better yet? Grandma doesn’t mind if you come back for seconds.

In a sugar daze yet?

Among the tr e Jar are truffle ats you’ll find in Grandm a s, flavors. The which come in a wide ’s Goody shop also ha variety of s sugar-free varieties.

MEMORIES, cont’d on page 6

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MEMORIES cont’d from page 5

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Charles and Mary Ann Sheppard invite you to sample their tasty treats at Grandma’s Goody Jar, handmade with care — and a dash of love — for customers of all ages.

“If you can’t find something here that doesn’t excite your taste buds, you don’t have any taste buds,” Mary Ann joked. “Your taste buds have gone on vacation.”

Grandma’s Goody Jar is a modernday confectionery that’ll tickle your taste buds, from the fresh trays of truffles and fudge to the smaller candies dispensed with a pull of a lever, to the counter filled with nostalgic treats.

Grandma’s truffles come in a wide variety of flavors that rotate from time to time, from chocolate and peanut butter to fruit varieties made with real fruit – no preservatives. Try a chocolate peppermint crunch or an orange or raspberry French silk, or pick between blueberry lemonade, vanilla raspberry, birthday cake, Nutella hazelnut, grasshopper, cherries jubilee, peanut butter bliss or a “happy family” mixture of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.

One variety of truffle is Dutch Days: an espresso coffee truffle inspired by a recent trip to some of the last remaining working windmills in Amsterdam and the region’s ties to Dutch heritage.

MEMORIES cont’d on page 8

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MEMORIES cont’d from page 6 “I’ve always liked to turn a group of things into something interesting,” Mary Ann said.

“When you can take chocolate, cream and other elements and turn them into something that people are crazy about, it gives you such a good feeling. It makes you know that you are doing something nice for the community, but it also gives you a sense of purpose.”

Limiting your sugar intake?

The shop has sugar-free truffles, too, such as mint madness, lemon blackberry, chocolate-covered strawberry, and peanut butter kiss. Additional sugar-free and keto products are available as well: turtles, cow chips, walking sticks, shortbread dipped in chocolate and bark.

“The people who are true diabetics, they know to search out quality, sugar-free products,” Mary Ann said. “Even the stuff that sells in stores have a gastric warning on it that if you eat too much of it, it will make your stomach upset. Ours doesn’t do that.”

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Grandman’s Goody Jar was recently granted a liquor license, which allows it to offer baskets filled with sweet treats, and as an added bonus: libation.

MEMORIES cont’d on page 10-11

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From retro candy (Beemans or Bar Nones, anyone?) to current favorites (How about a Cow Chip?) to the classics (fill your belly with jelly beans), there are plenty of goodies to sink your sweet tooth into at Grandma’s Goody Jar. Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Hard candy sticks are a throwback to the days of penny candy — though it takes a few more pennies to enjoy them these days.

You can take a trip down memory lane to a candyland full of retro sweets that date back decades, but that are still sought after.

LEFT: Don’t worry, these treats taste better than their name. Grandma’s owners brought some of the East Coast with them to their Clinton shop: Cow Chips, potato chips dipped in chocolate and peanut butter.

RIGHT: Mix and match your favorites at this self-serve dispenser.

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MEMORIES cont’d from page 8

When former New Yorkers Mary Ann and Charles Sheppard relocated to the Midwest, they could have opened their candy shop in someplace like Galena, Ill., where handmade treats like theirs are a tourist favorite – but they chose Clinton instead. “This is a wonderful community,” Mary Ann said. “We enjoy being here. I find that there are still those old Midwestern values. People still don’t go empty-handed to people’s homes. As New Yorkers, you’re used to a certain level of rudeness, and that’s not here. That’s what we like.”

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, Mary Ann is happy to guide customers through the store, while Charles keeps busy in the kitchen creating the colorful delicacies. Mary Ann will think of a recipe and Charles, who especially enjoys life as his own boss, will put it together.

“I know what when we close the door and leave [every day], it’s a day that we worked hard and satisfied people in the community,” Charles said.

Clinton hasn’t had a candy store in a number of decades. Longtime residents who remember places such as Marcucci’s in the Clinton District often will rehash memories of such a place while chatting with Mary Ann. The Sheppards love hearing conversations like that, and knowing that someday, in years to come when the next generation of candy makers makes their home in Clinton, that their customers will fondly recall the days of Grandma’s Goody Jar. “I feel like I’m creating memories for people who come in with their kids,” Mary Ann said, “because a lot of the older folks have memories of going into one of these with their parents or grandparents to Marcucci’s downtown, and they’re bringing their grandkids in to create that same nostalgia, that same memory here.”

The word “confectionery” may have gone out of style, but several candies from those days haven’t faded yet. The store has a display of nostalgic treats such as Bar None candy bars, Necco wafers, Turkish taffy, Lemonheads, and Regal Crown and Reed’s hard candies. Mary Ann’s rule for nostalgia? If it’s from the 1970s or earlier, it still has a purpose today.

“It’s a lot of old-school stuff that a lot of people here have never heard of,” she said. “Bar None was an East Coast, 1970s candy bar, and a lot of people have never heard of it. A lot of the stuff here comes from a day gone by.”

Also throughout the store are nods to popular treats the Sheppards enjoyed from back home, such as cow chips – which are potato chips that are half-dipped with chocolate and peanut putter.

“It’s sweet and salty, like a yin-and-yang thing, and you throw in the crunch factor on top of it,” Mary Ann said. “We’ve had people that have come in, walk right past us, and don’t say ‘Hi’ until they’ve got their chips; then they come and chit-chat.”

The Sheppards hail from western New York and moved to the Midwest 9 years ago, and after a brief stay in Sterling, they’ve called Clinton home for 8 years. The couple had worked in transportation but decided it was time to take a turn in a different direction. That’s when they got into candy and baked goods.

“I just wanted something different,” Mary Ann said. “Something that I knew that everybody can enjoy, that would be different, and would be fun destination.”

The Sheppards have embraced the Midwest way of life and its welcoming atmosphere.

“This is a wonderful community. We enjoy being here. I find that there are still those old Midwestern values. People still don’t go empty-handed to people’s homes. As New Yorkers, you’re used to a certain level of rudeness, and that’s not here. That’s what we like.”

Grandma’s Goody Jar opened March 13, 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought a screeching halt to business for 6 months. Since reopening, the Sheppards have found out which holidays are booms for business — and it’s not the chocolate-rich holidays you might think of, such as Valentine’s Day or Easter; it was Christmas, when people stocked up on stocking stuffers and other goody gifts.

“We still get that ‘kid in a candy store’ look from many adults that come in,” Mary Ann said. “A lot of people have come in and said it’s beautiful and it belongs in Galena; and my answer is: ‘Why can’t Clintonians have nice things? Why does it have to go to a place that already has one? We need to bring commerce here to Clinton, and not have to send people elsewhere.

“We as a community should be taking care of each other.”

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Grandma’s Goody Jar, 401 North Second St., is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday. Cash and debit or credit cards are accepted, as well as River City Gold certificates from the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Find it on Facebook, email info@grandmasgoodyjar.com, go to grandmasgoodyjar.com or call 563-321-0963 for more information.

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Robert Miller loves being able to take something ordinary and turn it into something special. “I enjoy the challenges of a customer coming in and asking for something to be made and making it happen,” he said. “The response you get from the customer when they come and pick it up is something like. ‘Wow! I can’t imagine this would be what it would look like and turn out this well.’

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

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309-887-4447

or Robert Miller, running a business is personal.

Personalized cups. Personalized pictures frames. Personalized wallets.

Personalized pens. Personalized motorcycle parts. If you want something that’s uniquely you, Miller is your man.

The possibilities are practically endless, but they all begin at his shop, Creative Design Werx.

“If I can scan it, we can do something with it, whether it be color printed or laser engraved,” he said.

WERX cont’d to page 14

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WERX cont’d from page 13

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Creative Werx owner Robert Miller demonstrates how his laser engraving machine works. “If I can scan it, we can do something with it, whether it be color printed or laser engraved,” he said. “There’s just so many products out there that are geared toward laser and color printing.”

The lifelong Fulton resident, 49, helps people put their own stamp on everyday objects at his shop near the foot of the North Bridge in Fulton.

But just because much of his work with ordinary objects doesn’t mean his days are ordinary. Being able to flex his creative muscles on any number of objects is one of the things he enjoys most about his job, and sometimes those muscles get an extra workout, like when he’s personalizing paver bricks.

In fact, there’s so much he can do, he doesn’t always have time tell people all about it. Rather, Miller will give customers a 100-page magazine to look through with examples of what things can be engraved or printed on – and even that is only a small fraction of what’s out there, Miller said, but it gives people an idea of the endless possibility of what can be worked with – and if it’s not in the magazine, ask.

“There’s just so many products out there that are geared toward laser and color printing,” he said.

Miller loves firing up the laser or priming the printer to personalize practically any surface. It’s the challenge of making something truly unique happen that keeps him – and his customers – coming back for more.

Laser engravings can be done on surfaces such as glass, wood, metal and brick. Miller also does vinyl signs, banners, decals and business cards. He can also can take priceless memories and turn them into keepsakes by taking a high-quality scan of a photo, or child’s artwork, and transfer it to just about any surface, smooth or not-so-smooth, flat or arched, Miller said.

WERX cont’d to page 15

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WERX cont’d from page 14 “It’s endless, there’s just so many products out there that I can print photos to,” he said. “I tell my customers if I can scan it, I can print it.”

And when the work is done, that’s when the real reward comes.

“I enjoy the challenges of a customer coming in and asking for something to be made and making it happen,” he said. “The response you get from the customer when they come and pick it up is something like. ‘Wow! I can’t imagine this would be what it would look like and turn out this well.’

“That’s my enjoyment. I enjoy seeing the customers’ expressions when they come and pick stuff up, and how happy they are with it.”

All of the work is done in-house.

“I can control that,” Miller said.

“I can control the turnaround time, I control if there’s a quality issue, and I can take care of that all right here so that you’re not mailing stuff out and expecting to come back some other day.”

Customers can also shop for products to personalize at his shop, such as cups and tumblers – buy one or in bulk. Kitchen and household accessories also are sold, which Miller can personalize.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Miller can do a lot more than just personalize a pen or print out a picture-perfect customer request. He can harness the power of a plasma cutter and put his talent to work creating items such as this Jeep-inspired fire pit.

WERX cont’d to page 16

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WERX cont’d from page 15 Custom kitchen products are a customer favorite – pot holders, cutting boards – they lend themselves to projects like engraving family recipes in the chef’s own handwriting. Miller recently had a customer who wanted an old family recipe forever emblazoned as a gift to the women in the family; only to come back later to ask for more when the men were moved enough to want one of their own.

“I’ve always been intrigued by, and enjoy, drawing stuff,” Miller said. “A customer will come in with a handsketched drawing of something and they’ll say, ‘Can you make this?’ I’ll draw it up in CAD and then program it into a machine.

So I was taking something physical from and piece of paper and making a physical product for some1212 Third St., Fulton body, and I had Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday a lot of fun through Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon doing it. I really on Saturday. enjoy it.”

Find it on Facebook, email Creative sales@creativedesignwerx.com, go Design Werx has to creativedesignwerx.com or call been around 815-208-7341 for more information. since June of 2019, but Miller has been practicing his trade for much longer. He began nearly 20 years ago from home with the CAD technology of the time, before building up the tools of his trade a little each year with different versions of CNC machines and laser printers. One of his specialties early on was custom engravings for motorcycle windshield trims and timing and derby covers. They continue to be a hallmark of his business.

As his home business grew, it became time to find a Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com new home for his business. Setting up a shop in Fulton’s business district brought Creative Design Werx to the attention of more people. Miller hopes success will breed success. One way he’s done that is by word of mouth – through a mask. During the COVID-19 pandemic, personalized masks were in demand and Miller was able to rise to the challenging times.

“It was more about getting people in the store that had never been in here,” Miller said. “They’ll come in, and that kind of opens everything up. It’s like sometimes you got to spend some money on marketing, and hope you’ll get a return on it.”

Masks weren’t the only way he shifted gears to uncertain times. While demand for some products declined during the pandemic, demand for others rose.

Miller had his hands full printing high school graduation yard signs, giving seniors the pat on the back they missed when graduation ceremonies were cancelled.

“It’s enjoyable to know that He’ll tumbler for ya ... Customers can shop for products to personalize at Miller’s shop, such as the customer appreciates everycups and tumblers — buy one or in bulk. He also thing that you’ve done, and whatsells kitchen and household accessories he can ever lengths it took to get there,” personalize, including cutting boards and oven mitts. Miller said.

Miller can make custom slate signs, great for decor, or a personal gift.

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UT

he sun’s out, the heat is on, and the pools and hot tubs in the River Cities are filling up.

Don’t have one? Clinton Pool Tech can help you keep your cool with pool installations, maintenance and repair, water balancing,

BY C O D pool gear, toys and equipment; or it can turn YC up the heat with a new spa — and this year, the Tech team at the longtime business is doing things from a bigger and better location. That’s a good thing, too, considering how busy things get at this time of year.

Manager Amber Griser and her staff are ready for customers who want to take the dive and have their moment in the sun from their new location on Camanche Avenue. It’s more than twice the size of the store’s old digs at a mini mall on 13th Avenue North.

EDIA

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| S A UK V TER AL

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SWIM cont’d from page 19 It hasn’t taken long for customers to find the new location. It opened in February and already traffic has been picking up.

“Every year we’re expanding what we’ve got in store,” Griser said. “We were in a small little space.

Our entire store was smaller than [our sales area]. Now it’s nice because we have our own parking lot, it’s our own building.

It’s hard when you have to have several cars and businesses fighting for the same parking space.”

Is having a pool worth it?

Definitely, says Griser, and she should know. She has an above-ground pool and says it’s the main attraction at cookouts, plus it gives her kids plenty of entertainment in their own backyard.

Clinton Pool Tech opened in its new location, at 1630 Camanche Ave., in February, giving the store a bigger sales floor and more room for merchandise “Every year we’re expanding what we’ve got in store,” Manager Amber Griser said – plus they have their own parking lot now.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

SWIM cont’d to page 21

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SWIM cont’d from page 20 “We get plenty of use out of our pool, and everybody wants to come over and swim,” she said. “It makes for a fun summer. When it’s really hot outside, you don’t have to go somewhere else to enjoy it, or blow up kiddy stuff and wait for it. It’s just there every day.”

What Griser enjoys about having a pool is knowing that you can see what’s in it, an advantage that folks who enjoy wading in the mighty muddy Mississippi River don’t have.

“The Mississippi isn’t clean around here, and I’m not a boat person; I’m not getting in that water,” Griser said.

“Something that I can’t see the bottom of is just not for me, and there’s just so much stuff in there. With a pool, you can control this, you can see the bottom of it, you don’t have to go anywhere to get in it, and you don’t have to load up a bunch of stuff to get in it.”

Abby Wood tests a customers pool water at the shop. It may seem daunting at first to keep the pool clean, but the staff at Clinton Pool Tech can help you through it. Before you know it, you’ll be a pool pro.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

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While the word “pool” is front and center in the business’ name, Clinton Pool Tech manager Amber Griser said pools aren’t the only thing the store carries.

The store also sells spas, and “there are a lot of things we offer that a lot of people don’t know about,” she said. “Even if you already have a pool, there are a lot of new products and services.”

Photos Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@ shawmedia.com

Whether it’s a basic welcome sign or a pool rules sign with tongue firmly in cheek, Clinton Pool Tech can add some colorful commentary to your outdoor R&R area.

A spa? Ahhhhhh ...There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a spa, and Clinton Pool Tech can hook up with one. The warm, soothing waters of a spa is like having your own masseuse, with a jet-stream rubdown that’ll melt the stress away.

Chemicals, cleaning solutions and vacuums are available at the store.

No one wants to feel the burn after spending a day poolside. Clinton Pool Tech has got you covered – in sunblock and moisturizers.

The Tech team will help customers have fun and stay safe with a line of swim vests. The vests are thinner and designed for pools.

They provide less buoyancy than a life jacket, but give a greater range of motion and mobility to help give young swimmers confidence in the water.

Clinton Pool Tech has a line of fun floatables and more at the store.

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SWIM cont’d from page 21 Ready to take the plunge? The store has a show area of displays of both above-ground and in-ground pools, as well as hot tubs. The above-ground pools don’t require digging and come in three sizes: standard, deluxe and premium. The in-ground pools have a lot more personal choice options, and can be customized depending on yard size, floor slope, color, and more.

The store’s work isn’t done once the pool is installed. The trained staff can help keep it in tip-top shape. The first year can take some getting used to, Griser said, learning the ropes of pool ownership, but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing.

“There isn’t as much work as people make it out to be,” Griser said. “It’s not as difficult as a lot of people think. I always tell people Here are a few fun facts about that when they come and buy a pool that the first year is really hard; you don’t quite know what swimming pools, courtesy of you’re doing and you’ll be coming in here for your Luxury Pools magazine … tests. The second year, you’re going to try to rememThe oldest known swimming pool ber what you did 100 percent, but by the third year is in Pakistan: The Great Bath, located in you got it.

Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan. Situated Water testing also can be done to get that right pH amongst the ruins of the ancient Indus balance.

Valley Civilization, this pool is estimated “You do need to check your chemicals weekly,” she to date all the way back to the Third said, but the more you do it, the less time it’ll take. millennium BC. The store carries pool maintenance chemicals, An Olympic-sized pool can hold up to materials and cleaning solutions as well as safety 850,000 gallons of water. Olympic-sized gear. It also caries a wide variety of pool games floatpools are always 50 meters long, but they ables, pool decor and more. No one wants to become can have widths of either 25 yards or 25 a bug buffet while they enjoy their fun in the sun, meters. That’s enough water to fill more than so the shop also carries patio shield bug repellents, 9,400 bathtubs. backyard torches, sprays and bands to keep the pests away from the pool.

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. It’s a great cardiovascular workout, Service work ranges from general repairs to strengthening both the heart and the lungs. liner replacements, pool openings and clos1630 Camanche Ave. Burning more calories than walking or biking, ings, sand changes, skimmer replacements, Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, swimming uses every major muscle group in the pool painting, and – new this year – vacuum9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. body, making it an ideal activity to keep you in shape. ing.

Find it on Facebook, go to clintonpooltech.com or “There are a lot of things we offer that a The U.S. has an estimated 10.4 million call 563-321-4419 for more information. lot of people don’t know about,” Griser residential swimming pools. Additionally, there are said. “Even if you already have a pool, approximately 309,000 public swimming pools. This there are a lot of new products and services.” means that the U.S. has about one pool for every 31 people.

If you prefer to spend your time in the water sitting instead of swimming, you can cool your jets with one of several spas that Clinton Pool Tech offers.

Chlorine can kill bacteria, such as E. coli, in as little as one The Garden Leisure brand of spas promises to take people on a “journey to minute. But, it can’t kill all illness-causing germs that quickly. tranquility,” and the Tech team will help you take the first step.

Other viruses and parasites can take anywhere from 15 minutes The warm, soothing waters of a spa is like having your own masseuse, to 10 days to be eradicated. To avoid acquiring a recreational with a jet-stream rubdown that’ll melt the stress away as you rest and water illness, make sure to regularly check your chlorine and pH relax in the privacy of your own home or backyard. levels.

One of the perks of being the only pool place in the area is that is that a The largest swimming pool in the world is in Algarroba, Chile, lot of familiar, and friendly, faces come through the door, which helps the at the San Alfonso del Mar resort. A Guinness Book of World staff bring an added personal touch to their service.

Records holder, the pool has an area of 19.77 acres and can hold 66 “Clinton has a need for this type of business,” Griser said. “Being the million gallons of water. only one in town, there’s definitely a lot of demand for products. It’s a great business, and it’s a fun job.” n

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BY CODY CUTTER | SAUK VALLEY MEDIA linton County’s past is tied to many things: A New York governor, the lumber industry, steamboats and the mighty river they paddled their way up and down, and a city that came in like a lamb and went out like a Lyons.

These days, its biggest city is Clinton, but the one-time “lumber capital of the world” wasn’t the county’s first: Lyons can lay claim to that honor, a tiny town established in 1835 that had grown to a bustling burg of 5,000 people by the 1850s in the county named for New York governor DeWitt Clinton.

The vignettes at right appeared on an 1865 map of Clinton County and depict scenes throughout the area, from top: the A.P. Hosford home in Clinton, the Steam Gang Saw Mill in Clinton, Gage’s Block in Lyons and Herman Anderson’s home in Liberty.

See the map on page 29.

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Cody Cutter/Sauk Valley Media

Jan Hansen (left), curator and treasurer of the Clinton County Historical Society and Museum, leads a team of about 10 volunteers, including vice president Carole Gilbert (right), to help tell the story of the county’s history, and help with research. “The mission of this building is to preserve the past for the children of Clinton County,” Hansen said. “Whether it’s objects or their lifetime stories, or whatever, we really are preserving the history of Clinton County.”

Today, though, the Town of Lyons is a footnote in the county’s history; its memory lives on in the quaint historical shopping district on the city’s north side — and inside the brick walls at 601 S. First St. in Clinton.

That’s where you’ll find the home of the Clinton County Historical Society, where the county’s past is still part of its present.

While there are those who can still recall Lyons High School and Lyons Middle School – the former closed in the mid-1950s and the latter in 2015 – no one living can personally recall the Town of Lyons.

After merging with Clinton in 1895, it now makes up the city’s Lyons District, home to an eclectic mix of shops and stores.

But the story of the townturned-tourist stop – and others like it – are kept in the good hands of the dedicated volunteers of the Clinton County History Society.

PAST cont’d on page 26-27

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To serve and protect history … Clinton’s public safety history is on display at the Clinton County Historical Society and Museum, including the police uniforms at left, and this hand-operated fire wagon (above). The Resolute is one of only three such fire wagons remaining in the United States. It was built in 1858 for the Lyons Fire Department. It passed into Clinton’s possession when Lyons merged with Clinton in 1895, and is owned by the city — one of the very few artifacts on loan to the museum.

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PAST cont’d from page 25 The group’s mission — some 10 volunteers – is to preserve the stories of the people, places and things that are part of the county’s past, from the river communities of Clinton and Camanche to tiny dots on the map, like Toronto, in the county’s western half.

Jan Hansen, treasurer and curator of the society’s museum, has been involved with sharing those stories for more than 20 years. With a vast research library and a two floors of exhibits, the society continues to take in a plethora of artifacts and stories from days gone by. It’s up to Hansen and her fellow volunteers to carefully preserve and protect the past for future generations.

“The mission of this building is to preserve the past for the children of Clinton County,” Hansen said. “Whether it’s objects or their lifetime stories, or whatever, we really are preserving the history of Clinton County.”

That history has found a perfect home, too, in a building that once played a part in Clinton’s history as the lumber capital.

The museum, at the southeast corner of South First Street and Sixth Avenue South, is housed in the former Oakes Lumber Company building, which was in business for 103 years. The building originally was built as a commission house for steam boats before becoming a lumber business, which closed in 1983. Some of the original flooring is still intact.

Cody Cutter/Sauk Valley Media

PAST cont’d on page 28

From floor to ceiling, and everywhere in between, the Clinton County Historical Society and Museum is home to a lot history from throughout the county. The two-story museum is housed in an 1858 building that was once the longtime home of the Oakes Lumber Company.

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PAST cont’d from page 27 The society, which was established in 1965 and had met at the former Schick Hospital compound on the north side of town, purchased the former lumber building in 1995 and after a few years of cleanup work – all done on a volunteer basis – got its museum and research room up and running by 2000.

Carole Gilbert and Martha Burnett are two of the several hardworking volunteers who dedicate a few hours a week guiding visitors around, assisting with research, or just chatting about their own memories of the community. Both grew up in Lyons, and one recent day while discussing the Disbrow Products Company, they realized after nearly 60 years later that they had the same sixth-grade teacher, Grace Disbrow, who taught at the former Lyons Junior High.

“I always think about the people who say. ‘I wish I had asked my grandparents these questions,’” Gilbert said. “We’re trying to preserve these things for young people that may not realize what the past means to them in the future. Whatever we can do, whether it’s an obituary, or weddings, or anything that has to do with people.

“When people call up and ask if we’re able to find something, finding that is real pleasing.”

Burnett also enjoys helping people and hearing about the interesting stories they have to share.

“This couple from Illinois, who were originally from here, had some old photographs and had no idea who they were,” Burnett said.

“The clothing on the kids and the older people, it’s just so interesting.”

There’s always plenty to do at the museum, Hansen said, whether it’s preparing for an expansion into a nearby building within the next year or so, working on the society’s upcoming history book on Clinton and Lyons schools, or sorting through the many boxes of Disbrow history that recently were donated.

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Long before maps were apps, and even before they filled up glove compartments, they were works of art that provided snapshots of the communities they covered. This hand-colored map from the Library of Congress shows the lay of the land in Clinton County in 1865, and also includes vignettes of sites throughout the county. Among them: S.H. & C Rogers Store in Wheatland, the Catholic Church in DeWitt, the Steam Gang Saw Mill in Clinton, Van Kuran and Co. Car Factory in Clinton, Gage’s Block in Lyons, and several residents’ homes throughout the county.

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PAST cont’d from page 28 “I’m honored and proud to work here,” Hansen said.

Walls are filled with old signs and photographs, and no space goes unused. Every inch is filled with artifacts and photos and more, each one telling a story from the past. Separate exhibits make up most of the first floor, including telephone history, police history, railroads, the Rich Toy Company, steamboats, famous Clintonians, local farm equipment, and schools. The second floor has a replica of a 1924 kitchen, parlor, bedroom, school room, musical instruments, beauty and barber shops, doctor and dentist offices, and a display of military uniforms. Once the annex opens up, historical wedding dresses will be displayed, including one from the 1870s.

More than 90,000 volunteer hours have been logged to keep the society and museum going. It relies on donations to operate, and has fundraising events throughout Clinton most months, such as garage sales, “Supper in a Sack” meal events, and sales donations through the local Pizza Hut. Grants and rentals of the meeting space also help keep the place going.

“We pay light bills that knock your socks off,” Hansen said, “but somehow we keep plugging.”

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Signs of days gone by have a home at the Clinton County Historical Society and Museum. The “Pay toll ahead” sign once was placed at the foot of the former Fulton-Lyons High Bridge, which carried the Lincoln Highway across the Mississippi River until 1974.

ravel back in time

THE CLINTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM, 601 S. First St., is open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment; hours are subject to change depending on volunteer availability.

Find it on Facebook, Pinterest (@CCHSMuseum), email clintoncomuseum@gmail.com or call 563-242-1201 for more information or to donate to the society and museum’s operating costs.

BECOME A MEMBER Annual dues are $10 (individual), $15 (family), $25 to $99 (supporting) or $100 or more (patron). Benefits of society membership include a subscription to the Society newsletter, museum and social activity notices, and an invitation to the annual meeting.

Send a check for dues; and your name, address and phone number, to Clinton County Historical Society, P.O. Box 2435, Clinton, IA, 52733.

The Clinton County Historical Society and Museum is a nonprofit organization; donations are tax deductible.

PAST cont’d from page 30 In addition, the society tries to publish a book once a year. The most recent publication is a paperback reprint of an old photo album of Clinton and Lyons from 1891, 4 years before the two communities merged. The original album was published by local businessmen who wished to show off their homes and businesses at that time.

The society and museum’s preservation efforts aren’t just limited to the pieces of the past inside its walls; it’s also spent a lot of time preserving the former St. Irenaeus Church in the Lyons District. It was built in 1871 and had its last services in 2009. The society bought it in 2010, saving the North Second Street church from demolition.

You never know what interesting story you may find when roaming around, or what interesting story you have to help preserve for generations to come.

“Preserving something to leave behind, that’s worthwhile to people to come see,” Hansen said, and with hundred of years of stories to preserve, and dedicated volunteers keeping them alive, the future looks bright for the history of Clinton County.

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There are five different stretches of Fulfs Road o tw in Whiteside County; ide Hills th wi t ec ers int em th of Grove.

Road north of Union ad, Ro lfs Fu of on rti po This llside, Hi m heading east fro d lle ca ce on s wa Givins Road.

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Thome Road, which cuts through the south en bluff in Albany Townsh d of a ip, was called Huron Road once road’s current namesa . The ke from nowhere near Alb originates an rather in the opposite y, but Whiteside County, na end of med aft the Thome Family wh er o settled near Rock Falls.

t’s hard for some people to believe, but there was a time Up until Jan. 1, 1978, there were nearly 200 different road when maps, not apps, showed us the way. Even harder names in rural Whiteside County. However, when the county to imagine for those raised in a smart phone world: peo- decided to simplify the road system, it renamed many of the ple who traveled many a country mile relying on their memory roads to have the same name if they fell within the same latito get them where they were going. Knowing the names of tude or longitude. The change gave way to multiple stretches of roads, whether they were long and winding or short and roads with the same name. straight, was a requirement for cruising through the country.

It also relegated many of the roads’ stories to the back pages In Whiteside County, roads were named of people’s minds and erased family names after local settlers, prominent families, local from maps. In some cases, roads no longer STORY MAPPED OUT BY CODY CUTTER FOR RIVER CITY LIVING landmarks, or simply where they went. Gareven exist. den Plain Road? Well, it got its name To help prevent these names from being because it took people to the small village. lost to history, River City Living magazine has put together a The 1-mile stretch of Gaulrapp Road in Albany Township list of the former names of many of the county roads in townisn’t named for anyone around Albany, but instead for the fam- ships with a Fulton or Albany address and what they’re known ily who farmed turkeys southwest of Rock Falls, on the oppoas today. We hope you enjoy this look back at the high roads site end of the county. Thome Road, which runs through Newand the low roads, the roads less traveled, and the country ton Corners – approximately halfway between Erie and Albany roads that took us home.

– is named for another landowner from near Rock Falls.

So turn the page and let’s get this show on the road …

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HILL ROAD: Only exists as a path on private property. It went east of Meredosia Road at a curve between Gaulrapp and Stropes roads.

HURON: Now is Thome Road from Meredosia to Fuller roads.

LOTUS: Gaulrapp Road from Meredosia to Archer roads.

MATTSON: Bunker Hill Road from Meredosia to Albany roads.

Fulton Township Barry Road: Now Sand Road between U.S. Route 30 and state Route 136.

Kolin/Lock: Kolin Road now is Lock Road to Lock and Dam No. 13. The former Lock Road now is Schaefer Road north of Fulton.

Field/Blink: Spring Valley Road from state Route 84 to Blink Road.

“Blind Charlie’s Corners” — Penrose and Smaltz roads — northeast of Fulton is where Union Grove Road cuts through the bluff. Union Grove Road once went from the community of Union Grove to state Route 84 north of Fulton. However, the name now only exists on the middle portion of that path. The stretch leading out of Union Grove now is Hillside Road, and the stretch from state Route 84 to these corners now is Penrose Road – the community of Penrose is on the opposite end of Whiteside County, about 5 miles north of Sterling.

Cody Cutter/ccutter@saukvalley.com

Archer Road (partial): Once went from Benson Road south to Albany Road, now abandoned.

Barber: Elston Road from Fulton to Hazel Road. Partially abandoned north of Holly Road to U.S. Route 30; a Union Pacific railroad viaduct remains over the former road crossing.

Carney: Benson Road from Diamond to Frog Pond roads, also signed in Newton Township along Frog Pond to Albany roads.

Grady: Hazel Road from state Route 84 to Fenton Road.

Hall: Harvey Road from Elston to Frog Pond roads.

ROADS cont’d on page 35

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Left: This stretch of Fulfs Road, west of Hillside, was once called Franks Road.

ROADS cont’d from page 34 Laflin: Bunker Hill Road from Elston to Fenton roads.

Pitney: Frog Pond Road from Garden Plain to Benson Road.

Snyder: Stone Street from Albany to Diamond Road.

Tony’s Road: Diamond Road from Waller to Garden Plain roads.

Wells: Stone Street from Diamond to Elston roads.

Grant Road: Rock Road from Fuller to Archer roads.

Hale: Elston Road from Stropes to Gaulrapp roads.

Hart: Mineral Road from Grennan to Rock roads.

Hyde: Archer Road from Albany Road to Gaulrapp Road.

Keeley: Chase Road from Elston to Gaulrapp roads.

Lawler: Stropes Road from Sand Road to Albany Road.

Lotus: Archer Road from Gaulrapp to Pryor roads.

Lynn: Mellotts Road from Frog Pond to Fenton roads.g Newton (old): Gaulrapp Road from Chase to Albany roads, not to be confused with the current Newton Road that is between Black and Rock roads.

Parker: Thome Road from Albany Road to Newton Road.

Rice: Stern Road from Archer to Elston roads.

Wilder (partial): Was signed on Stropes Road for 1 mile west of Sand Road.

Right: Fenton Road goes north of the community of Fenton to Garden Plain Road, and it makes a short jog before going north again. The portion of road north of Garden Plain Road once was Holly Road, which went in an “L” shape; the other end of it is south of Fulton.

Photos by Cody Cutter/ccutter@saukvalley.com

Blink Road (partial): Spring Valley Road from current Blink Road to Smaltz Road.

Cedar: Noble Road from Loran to Nelson roads, and Henry Road from Nelson to Malvern roads.

Eads: Creamery Road from Ward to Nelson roads.

Franks: Fulfs Road from U.S. Route 30 to Hillside Road.

GIVINS: Fulfs Road from Hillside to Creamery roads.

Owen: Malvern Road from Creamery Road to state Route 78.

Smit (partial): Creamery Road from the Carroll County line to the current alignment of Smit Road.

Todd: Now Rick Road west of Millard Road, a dead end road.

Union Grove (partial): Once signed from state Route 84 to Union Grove along present-day Penrose and Hillside roads.

Right: Some stretches of road have faded from maps and memories.

Elston Road, which went south of Fulton, and was formerly called Barber Road, once went south of U.S. Route 30 toward Holly Road. The Union Pacific railroad viaduct (center in background) over the former road still exists.

Sand Road, east of Fulton, was once called Barry Road be fore 1978; that’s when the county renamed seve ral of its roads to line up according to latitude and longitude.

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