September 3, 2010
The C.H. Moore Homestead
Right along Rt-51 on the north side of Clinton is a wonderfully preserved piece of Illinois history, with ties to President Lincoln. Completed in 1867 as the private residence of John Bishop, a local lumber merchant, the homestead was sold to C.H. Moore in 1880 after the death of the Bishop’s youngest daughter.
Mr. Moore
Mr. Moore was a lawyer and land purveyor and made the acquaintance of another young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. The two became friends, assisting each other on some cases, and opposing on others….remaining friends throughout. Mr. Moore developed the estate in Clinton throughout the years, including an extensive library in an addition on the west side of the mansion.
The Library
This library was, at the time, one of the most extensive private libraries outside of Chicago (and is still quite impressive!). The manor house itself serves as the Dewitt County Museum and maintains a wonderful museum of late 19th and early 20th century life. The many rooms are full of furniture and decoration appropriate for the era. The entry way is graced by a wonderful winding staircase and very ornate carpet and wallpaper. The Moore’s original square Steinway grand piano and a full size harp are the center pieces of the music room.
The Music Room
Upstairs are the bedrooms, including the masters, and also the children’s room. The children’s room contains a wonderful, authentic childs four post bed, and is overseen by a pastel portrait of the Butler families only child who was lost at the age of two, Mary Elizabeth. Among the several rooms in on the ground level are the dining, parlor, music, kitchen and what is obviously the showpiece room of the house, the library. This two story room contains very unique rotary bookcases in two corners, with glass fronted barrister-like bookcases along the opposite wall. The upper gallery is also lined with bookcases and an iron railing lines the portal ceiling between the two stories. The library also contains many items one might find in a well appointed Victorian library, including an Edison cylinder phonograph and a wonderful, nautical themed kaleidoscope. Mr. Moore’s original hand made secretary desk anchors the room, with a pair of glasses sitting on the desktop, as if awaiting the masters return.
The basement of the manor, which reveals the houses natural brick walls, has been set up display case style and features a very complete collection of World War One weaponry and Indian artifacts. A central wall displays antique photos of the mansion through the years, as well as local landmarks. There’s also a room depicting life in an early log cabin and another with revolving collections, containing antique tin-toys and pedal cars on our visit.
Stepping outside, one is treated to various views of the manor house, which is of the Second Empire style of architecture with Italianate ques. The mansard roof is replete with curved top dormers and all of the corbels and brackets that make this style of architecture so beautiful are intact and in good order on this very well appointed house.
The front area of the grounds are flanked by a wonderful cast ironwork fence and gardens. The carriage house stands just across the way from the manor house and contains several antique carriages, displayed in a warm rustic setting.
Many festivals and events are held on the grounds, with the Pork and Apple festival (September 25-26 this year) being the highlight. Visit the C.H. Moore Homesteads website for hours and more information. The homestead was placed on the National Register in 1978.
Located in view of Rt-51 between Decatur and Bloomington, this wonderful and well maintained site is a jewel in the city of Clinton, and a wonderful location to enjoy some history, and view the ornate wonders of Victorian life in early Central Illinois.
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-Ed Baumgarten
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Central Illinois, Ed Baumgarten, Illinois History, Land of Lincoln | Tagged: Abraham Lincoln, Illinois, architecture, National Register, C.H. Moore, Clinton, Homestead, Mansion | 
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Posted by edbaumgarten
August 27, 2010
On old Route 66 in Litchfield Illinois is a treasure. Thousands have found it, from those around the block to those half a world away. The Ariston Cafe has stood at it’s present location since 1935. It’s believed to be one of, if not THE, oldest cafe on historic Route 66. Pete Adam founded the restaurant. In 1966 his son Nick and family took over, and in 2004, Nicks son Paul joined the team. 
Three generations of the Adam’s have cherished and cared for this classic piece of American Heritage…and it shows.
The exterior of the building, with it’s multicolored, round topped brick facade has been a welcoming site for travelers for decades longing for a hot meal and a chance to climb out from behind the wheel and into a booth for some classic dining.
Stepping through the front door is a step back into time. The classic wooden booths with their attached coat hangers and polished finish will instantly transport you to simpler times, and you can almost see the fedoras that would most certainly have found a temporary perch there. 
A counter replete with bar stools awaits those who wish a quick bite. Near the door is an original menu from 1938 that was presented to owner Nick by loyal local patron. Imagine a Porterhouse steak for 85 cents in today’s world!
The menu at the Ariston promises something for everyone from steaks and seafood to patty melts and reubens (visit their website for a great Baklava recipe).
Take the drive to Litchfield and stop off at the Ariston Cafe for some classic dining at a classic American cafe!
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-Ed Baumgarten
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August 19, 2010
The Orpheum theater in Hillsboro stands as a monument to the the glory days of movie theaters, where the ‘silver screen’ brought the rest of the world to small towns. This classic 19th century building has all the art deco ornamentation that made these movie houses the jewel of any town on a Saturday night.
1920
Originally opening in 1920 the theater boasted some 780 seats in the ‘modern and attractive’ building for patrons. Over the years the theater changed owners through ups and downs, and luckily, was kept in good condition. The current owners took over in 2003, moving to Hillsboro from Iowa where they ran several theaters. Since taking over the Orpheum in Hillsboro, the Eisentraut Family has opened several other theaters in surrounding towns. Their secret…..being the best movie deal in Illinois. Just $6.00 gets you a ticket, a tub of popcorn and a drink…..$6.00…..!! Not quite 1920′s prices, but darn close. With today’s ever escalating prices this family has taken a stand to provide good quality entrainment at a price everyone can afford. The building itself is a wonderful example of 20′s Art Deco and maintains it’s original facade.
Orpheus
The sign above the marque proudly displays the name of the theater and above that, the original stone work carving of Orpheus, the Greek entertainer who wooed the gods, and the theater’s name sake, beckons all to come and be entertained. The original viewing room has since been divided in height to allow for two theaters in the same building, over and under. From the upper theater the original tin ceiling and ornate cornices can be seen. What wonderful ornamentation these buildings had!
The ornate upper level theater
In these days of high prices and multiplexes it’s great to see small town values can survive, and thrive, in the theater business…..and at the Orpheum the show goes on….
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-Ed Baumgarten
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August 11, 2010
Palos Meltdown Mountain Bike Race
Unofficially deemed the “Chicago World Mountain Bike Championships ” because it’s the only major mountain bike race in the Chicago metro area, the Sunday, August 22 Palos Meltdown Mountain Bike Race returns to the Cook County Forest Preserves at Bullfrog Lake/Pulaski Woods near Willow Springs (95th Street and Wolf Rd., just east of Archer Avenue).
Organized by CAMBr (Chicago Area Mountain Bikers), racing happens all day in a variety of skill levels from Novice to Expert, man and women’s categories. Action begins at 8:00 a.m., and spectators are welcome. Over 200 people have already registered for the race, and the course is mainly singletrack, a narrow dirt trail with some obstacles such as ravines, roots, rocks and logs. The race is obviously an athletic contest, but is also a social gathering where cheering on, and sometimes heckling, racers can be a competitive event in itself!
The annual race, which has been held since 2007, is a fundraiser for the Chicago Area Mountain bikers, which build and maintain the trails in the Palos Forest Preserves and throughout the metro area. This year, the race is also a part of the Illinois Homegrown Race Series, a series of nine mountain bike races in various locations, which will likely draw a wider group of racers and spectators.
The races are held in a beautiful area of the Palos Preserves, so pack a lunch and bring some friends out to watch the races and enjoy a day in the woods.
By Gina Kenny
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