ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVtt
I
(
977.366
H752
HOMER
PAST
and
PRESENT
OLD COVERED BRIDGE
1976
HOMER BICENTENNIAL SCHEDULE
Jta. 11-24 Antique parlor and kitchen furnished with antiques
from area residents
Feb. 15-21 Antique Valentines and Newspapers from 1909-1940
Mar. 7-13 Memories Week — Old photographs, programs, posters,
Homerians and pictures from 1913, Woman's Club Dis-
play and Old Homer Park
April 4 Several old and new crafts demonstrated in the hall,
handmade articles on display all week
April 7 Woodcarving by Ken and Dorothy Maclnnes
May 16-22 History of Homer, Champaign County, Illinois, and
the U.S.A.
May 22 Movie "1776" sponsored by the Library and Recreation
Boards will be shown
Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the American Legion
June 13 Flag Program 2:00 p.m.
July 4 Union Church Services
July 4 Annual Freedom Celebration sponsored by the Recrea-
tion Board at the Park
Sept. 11-18 Indian Artifacts from the Homer area
Sept. 11 Krazy Daze - sponsored by the Lion's Club
Oct. 10-23 Antique Bedroom and dining room furnished with an-
tiques loaned by area residents
Nov. 14-20 Small Antique Show
Dec. Christmas Display
BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Bobbi Newlin - Eva Chism - Co-Chairmen
Gloran Lewis - Secretary
Peggy Jones - Treasurer
James Fish
Dean Chism
Dale and Mildred Wolf
Dale and Nondus Wakefield
Ken and Dorothy Maclnnes
BICENTENNIAL BOOK COMMITTEE
Dean and Eva Chism - Co-Chairmen
Ruth Allen
Theresa Wilson
Helen C. Baird
Edna Lewis
UNIVERSITY OF,
ILLINOIS LIBRARY
AT UR3ANA-CHAMPAIGN
ILL. HIST. SURVEY
..
IN RETROSPECT
The town of Homer is what it is because of our
forebearers. It will progress today as the people
plan today. Our responsibility is great but this
responsibility is no greater than the responsibili-
ty of the early settlers.
In the early 1800 's the people did not run be-
cause of the hardships that were present. Those
early founders of Homer worked hard to give us this
town of which they could be proud.
Portions of this book have been reprinted from
the 1955 Centennial Book.
The Bicentennial Committee felt that since many
people are new to Homer that reprinting and updating
the Centennial Book would be a worthwhile project.
Any profits from the sale of this book will be used
to help establish a local museum.
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HISTORY OF HOMER
Our township was first settled by a man named Gentry, who
in 1827 built the first white man's cabin. The second house was
built by Hiram Jackson, both of the above early settlers remain-
ing but a few years. Soon after, others were attracted to this
part of our country, among whom were Moses Thomas and Thomas
Butler, all of whom came to stay.
In 1836 about nine-tenths of the land in the county belonged
to the government, and was subject to entry at the land office in
Danville, at $1.25 per acre. In 1836, M. D. Coffeen settled on
the Salt Fork where the old town of Homer was afterwards laid off,
and after felling timber and clearing the ground erected the
first store house in the town. His general stock of goods soon
attracted the attention of a large part of the citizens of the
county, who favored him with their patronage. About the same
year Moses Thomas erected a saw and grist mill which- ran about
eight months of the year, and being the pioneer one in the coun-
ty contributed its part to the building up of our town. A few
years later, Mr. Thomas attached to his mill a carding machine
which carded the wool, grown over a large extent of country , into
rolls to be spun by the maidens of the land into yarn, from which
the matrons wove the jeans and linsey to clothe their families.
The first school in the township was taught by Abram Johnson
in 1829. The house was located 3h miles northwest of the town
of Old Homer, built of logs and had greased paper windows. There
were 15 pupils and the tuition was $2.50 a term. The first school
house built in the town of Old Homer was in 1838, in which school
was kept from four to six months a year. It was a frame struc-
ture, the seats of which were made by putting legs in slabs
procured at Uncle Moses Thomas' saw mill.
In 1837, M. D. Coffeen formed a partnership with one Samuel
Groendyke and they decided to plat a town at the intersection of
Sections 4 and 5, Township 18, and Sections 32 and 33, Township
19, a mile north of the present village of Homer. There are sev-
eral explanations as to the naming of the town, but the one which
seems to have come most directly from Mr. Coffeen himself is to
this effect. One day in 1837, after the proprietors had located
their general store, they commenced to talk about putting up a
blacksmith shop and possibly a hotel, as well as platting a lit-
tle town. Mr. Groendyke remarked "Yes, that plan would be more
homer to me" (meaning more homelike than it was then, with no
place at which to stop). At this, Mr. Coffeen, who is also said
to have been somewhat of a scholar and a great admirer of the
Greek Philosopher, replied, "Well, then Homer it shall be."
In 1845, the citizens of the town by private subscription
built the first bridge across the Salt Fork, at a cost of $450.
At the time there was a semi-weekly mail conveyed by stage when-
ever the Salt Fork was in favorable condition. The bridge secured
regular mails as well as the general accommodation of the public.
Up to this time our town was sparsely settled, the improvements
being conferred to lands either in or adjacent to the timber, a
common opinion at that day prevailing that the prairies were too
bleak and cold to ever think of building a home upon, and anyone
daring to predict that they would ever be even cultivated would
have been considered a fanatic, if not a fool. The prairies were
regarded as only fit for the grazing of stock and a home for deer,
wolves and prairie chickens which roamed in countless numbers.
The grist mill was the cause of the town being started and in
a short while the new town flourished like a green bay tree, un-
til the talk of surveyors coming through the country mapping out
a route for a railroad set the inhabitants to speculating upon
the direction the surveyors would take when they came through.
In the year 1854, the final survey of the Great Western, now Wa-
bash Railroad was made, and it missed the town of some 200 souls
about 1*5 miles to the south. The survey went through the land of
M. D. Cof feen and he therefore began to think of a plan to start
a town or have the other one moved. He proposed to the owners of
property in the old town to exchange with them a like number of
lots in the new town, which proposition was accepted by nearly all.
The greater part of the winter of 1854-1855 was consumer in
getting ready to move. Skids were made to put under the houses
and plans to utilize the large number of cattle belonging to the
farmers were perfected. No snow fell until January and it was
the plan to slide the buildings over the snow to their new posi-
tions. With a heavy fall of snow in January, the actual work of
transporting the town began. It was participated in by .the en-
tire community. Within six weeks the work was completed and every
house in the town was given nearly the same relative position in
the town on the railroad. The only building that was difficult
to move was the Methodist Church. While the men were getting
this building ready, a string of oxen was attached to the house
belonging to Mr. Thomas and it was moved to its new location while
the women folk got dinner ready. Mr. Thomas told that the weights
were taken out of the clock, the dishes were packed so they would
not break and wood and water were brought into the house so the
preparations for the noon day meal went on uninterrupted. The
total cost of moving was only $5.00 per house. One doctor who did
not move at the time of the general exodus moved the following
fall and it cost him about $300.00.
With the coming of spring there was nothing left of the old
town but the old mill and the doctor's house. The railroad came
through in the summer of 1855 and the people knew that they had
made a good move. Time has confirmed their belief for the town
of Homer is one of the prettiest and cleanest towns in Champaign
County.
How the second village of Homer looked when it was very young
is thus described by the editor of the Urbana Union in his issue
of October 25, 1855: "On Tuesday of this week we visited this
town for the first time since its location on the prairie. The
present site, on a high and commanding point on the Great Western
Railroad, is considered much healthier than the old town. We were
informed by the physicians that amidst the great amount of sick-
ness the present year the town has been comparatively free from
it. It is expected that the cars will soon pay the town a visit,
and that the whistle of the locomotive will wake to new life the
business of the town and surrounding country, which is already
good. Several new houses are already being built, and many more
will be commenced when facilities for getting lumber are better.
"Our friend, M. D. Coffeen, Esq., has just finished a new
and commodious building for the accommodation of his extensive
business, which we admire very much on account of the convenience
of its arrangement and the superior beauty of the workmanship.
The carpenter work was done by Mr. Cyrus Hays and the painting,
which is really elegant, by John Towner. Besides Mr. Coffeen 's
drygoods store, there are several others and a drugstore by Judge
John B. Thomas, all doing a fine business. A steam sawmill has,
during the summer, been put in operation, which is turning out a
vast amount of ties for the Great Western Railroad."
A covered wooden bridge across Salt Fork was built about
1859, replacing the original bridge. These bridges were located
near one of the early trails of Champaign County which was promi-
nent during the early settlement of the state.
In 1863, the covered bridge was rebuilt by George Spraker,
who with several assistants hauled the lumber from the railroad
to the same site and swung the arch across the stream. Before
there was any bridge over the river, those who wished to cross
went down the stream about a quarter mile to a ford which enabled
them to pass safely. This ford lay just below the place where
the dam was later built.
The bridge collapsed April 6, 1934, and was dismantled. Be-
cause it possessed exceptional historic interest, a record of the
bridge was deposited in the library of Congress for permanent
reference.
Some of the pioneers of Homer are W. C. Custer, who came to
Homer in 1828 and was proprietor of a livery stable in 1856; Dr.
William A. Conkey, a farmer in 1852 ; Dr. James Core, physician in
1853; M. D. Coffeen, proprietor of elevator and flouring mill in
1853; Henry White, farmer, 1851; Martin Custer, farmer and stock
raiser, 1836; R. C. Wright, farmer in 1850; Isaac Brown, farmer,
1857; Nathan W. Cockayne, farmer in 1885; E. D. Fisher, director
and cashier of First National Bank of Homer, 1883; Samuel McKee,
1851; Dr. P. C. Mosier, physician, 1851; Jacob Tindall, farmer,
1876; H. J.Wiggins, farmer, 1878; Thomas L. Butler, Joseph Stay-
ton, Nicholas Yount , Dr. H. C. Shaw.
In 1859 the local newspaper started as the Homer Journal.
George Knapp was publisher. Subsequent owners were John W. Sum-
mers and W. H. Rhoades. In 1877 the name of the paper was changed
to the Enterprise and was published in turn by John C. Cronis ,
I.A.Baker, Willard L. Sampson, J. B. Morgan, J. R.Martin, C. H.
Wallace, J. G. White, B. F. Morgan, H. H. Clore, Phillip Clore,
and Lowell Terry, present owner.
The burial ground for the people of Old Homer was located on
the bluff west of -the old town. It is still used for burial but
is not under perpetual care. The G.A.R. Cemetery, now owned by
the American Legion Post 290, is located at the east edge of town.
It is well kept. The earliest records have been lost, but the
first burial was in 1886. There are burials that date back as
far as 1846, the people having been brought here from other cem-
eteries.
OLD HOMER HOUSE
The Homer Hotel was moved from Old Homer to a site now occu-
pied by Benner's Garage. It was operated as a boarding and room-
ing house, but this building burned in the early 1900' s.
The exact date of the installation of the telephone exchange
is not known but we have secured the following from the October
25th, 1899 edition of the Homer Enterprise: "Dr. G. L. William-
son, who is always quick to take advantage of modern methods and
the latest practical way of doing things, was the first subscriber
to the White Telephone Exchange. The doctor took a phone first,
because he believed the telephone would be beneficial to his
business. And now since he is receiving from one to five calls
for professional services over the phone daily and as high as
three in one night , he feels that he did not err in his judgment.
What the telephone had done for the doctor, it will do for all
other lines of business in Homer. The telephone is not only a
great labor and time saver, but a business bringer as well. No
business man should think of doing without one." J. G. White
owned the first exchange but before the exchange was installed a
telephone was put into the E. T. Mudge drug store and it is re-
corded that the first call was made to Danville for an order of
drugs which were received the next day via Wabash Railroad. Mr.
White sold out his exchange in 1912 to Douglas Telephone Company
and 26 years ago it was sold to a subsidiary of the General Tele-
phone Company who now operates the system. Two of the first op-
erators were Emma Willis and Emma Palmer. New dial telephones
were recently put into operation, thus bringing modern telephone
service to Homer on its 100th birthday.
First Telephone Exchange
A tile factory and a cigar factory flourished in Homer at
one time. The tile factory was operated under the name of Homer
Brick and Tile Works. It was located east of the stockyard and
was operated by G. B. Yount. Good building brick could be pur-
chased for $6.00 per thousand. Orders were also taken and filled
promptly for 10 and 12 inch tile.
The first tobacco factory was in the upstairs of the Paxton
building. The building burned in 1900 and the factory moved to
the Gilman (Hess) Building. Joe Elliott started the first factory
and later sold out to A. W. Rosenbaum, who continued it for many
years .
m.m< i >wtw*%
Front of Cigar Factory
(This building stood south of present Post
Office on Lot known as Park.)
On June 23, 1889, a contract to furnish electric lighting
for the village of Homer was given to J. D. Wallace, S. T. Weir,
and M. A. Goff , principals, H. J. Wiggins and J. M. Boggess, sure-
ties, in the amount of $5,000. The first light plant was located
back of the present Smoot Lumber Yard, and J. H. Boggess was the
manager, Berl Railsback and Sam Harris were boiler men, Barton M.
Parrish and Milo Lincicum were electricians. The plant was erec-
ted just east of the Homer Grain Company. This plant burned in
1928. Mr. Bowen sold out to U. S. Thompson who later sold to
James Capel. Later the Central Illinois Electric and Gas Company
purchased the plant, etc.
10
As time progressed, Homer profited. In 1928 a concrete road
was built from Kankakee to Kansas. This was called route 49. The
new road crossed Salt Fork on a new steel bridge and was in the
same location as the old interurban bridge.
The Homer Waterworks was started in 1937. Many people ques-
tioned the advisability of such a venture, but by its completion
in 1939, the people were well aware of the wise choice that had
been made.
Modern Bridge across Salt Fork
In 1904 the interurban tracks were laid from Ogden to Homer,
connecting Homer with both Danville and Champaign. The station
was located where the Bowling Lanes now are and regular hourly
runs were made to meet trains from Danville and Champaign.
11
Interurban Station
In its early years, Homer boasted of a fine livery stable.
Fine horses and buggies were for hire. The Stevens Livery Stable
was located where the Christian Church now stands.
Livery Stable
12
(The following article appeared in a 1936 issue of the
Danville Commercial News.)
HOMER IN 1836 BOASTED
ONLY COUNTY STORE
Old Town on Banks of Salt
Fork River was one of
Few Trading Places
HOMER — One hundred years ago, 1836, Homer, then located on
the banks of the Salt Fork River, boasted of having the one and
only store in Champaign County. This store was operated by M. D.
Cof feen.
A store had been opened in Urbana by T. R. Webber in 1834
and one near the site of Sidney and one north of Big Grove pre-
viously, but all had ceased operation before this time.
At this time persons residing in Champaign County purchased
their necessities from Danville, Bloomington, Decatur or at Hom-
er. This merchandise came principally from Philadelphia and was
hauled by wagon over the mountains to Evansville, Ind. , and then
by wagon to its final destination.
Prices received for these goods are quite in contrast with
those of today. Good calico prints retailed at from 35c to 40c
per yard, the coarsest of brown muslin from 35c to 40c per yard.
Sugar and molasses, purchased in New Orleans, were sold at 4c per
pound and 37c per gallon, respectively.
Principal markets for farm produce were Chicago and Cincin-
nati. After delivery the farmer received from 10c to 25c per
bushel for corn, 25c to 50c per bushel for wheat and from 25c to
$1.50 per hundred for hogs.
By an act of the State Legislature Champaign County was or-
ganized January 20, 1833. At this time Moses Thomas, operator of
a saw mill on the Salt Fork River, was appointed treasurer and
also held office of Probate Judge.
J. B. Thomas served as Probate Judge and later as County
Judge. M. D. Cof feen served as Associate County Judge for one
term and R. C. Wright served as Sheriff. All of these above
mentioned men are from Homer.
The first known settler in Homer Township was a man named
Gentry, who built a cabin north of Salt Fork River in 1827. In
1828 Mr. Osborn, Mr. Harris and Thomas Butler moved into the
township.
The honor of performing the first marriage ceremony in the
county, that of John Bryan to Matilda Busey, was accorded to Moses
Thomas on July 25, 1833. His son, J. B. Thomas, taught the first
school north of Big Grove in 1829. The first wagon was made by
M. D. Cof feen in 1837.
At this time this township was much larger than it now is.
It occupied an area four miles wide and 18 miles long containing
72 square miles and extending south to the Douglas County line.
Broad Lands for the most part was located within this area.
13
This farm containing 26,500 acres was first improved by M. L.
Sullivant who sold the same body to A. T. Alexander of Morgan
County, 111., in 1866. This farm extended 7 miles east and west
and 6h miles north and south in a solid block with the exception
of 1660 owned by other parties. This farm was valued at $800,000
at this time.
At a later period the area of the township was cut consider-
ably both from the north and the south. The area of Broad Lands
was but off from the south side and given to another township.
The following excerpt is taken from Lathrop' s Champaign Coun-
ty Directory published in 1870 relative to the above mentioned
prices and current day opportunities:
"The markets, if markets they could be called, were mainly
Chicago and Cincinnati. Corn, wheat and hogs were the principal
articles of export, while whiskey, tobacco, and groceries, were
the imports. Farmers disposed of their corn, after drawing it to
Chicago, at from 10 to 25 cents per bushel; wheat, from 25 to 50
cents per bushel, and their hogs from 25 cents to $1.50 per hun-
dred, and all things else in proportion
"The early settlers had few advantages, and few temptations
to lead them into excess and extravagance, while the privileges
and advantages of the present bring the unmeasured evil of ex-
travagance and debt."
Evidently times were changing as fast in 1870 as they are
now.
A $5 GROCERY BILL
That HENDERSON will sell and has been selling to his patrons:
6' pounds Java Coffee 90
25 pound sack of flour 50
H pound pepper 15
5 pound sack of salt 05
3 pounds Rice 25
h pound Tea 30
1 Broom 25
1 Gallon Syrup 35
1 Gallon Coal Oil 13
5 pounds oat meal with bowl 25
3 pounds crackers 25
1 sack meal 12
1 box of yeast foam 05
6 pounds dry salt meat 50
25 pounds granulated sugar 95
$5.00
The above bill is one that I sold a short time ago and added
the lower item as an inducement for cash buyers. This and similar
bills will be sold at any time for cash.
A. Henderson, Homer
(Above appeared in Jan. 31, 1905 issue of Homer Enterprise.)
14
HOMER IN 1880
How we found her, Whom we met
and What they were doing.
By a Reporter for the Champaign County Herald
All of our readers know the location of Homer, and that it
is a town of no small importance; but few, not having made a
special visit there, are aware of its size and business facili-
ties. Homer is the largest town outside of Urbana and Champaign,
in the County, and numbers among her professional men, ministers,
teachers, lawyers, and doctors, those who rank with the best in
the county, as is shown when they come in contact with each other.
As for the business men, although their qualities are not sopub-
licly and widely known, their gentlemanly manners and thriving
trade show them second to none from a commercial stand point.
Upon our arrival we were hospitably greeted .by that prince
of good fellows, C. B. Butler, who kindly introduced us to all the
business men and did much to make our stay pleasant, as well as
profitable. Mr. Butler is the happy one of whose marriage to
Miss Whitlock, we noticed in our columns recently. The "honey
moon" is not past, and Cal thinks it will be long lasting. While
spending the evening with him and his estimable lady, some of the
charming belles of the village serenaded all, and we can not speak
too highly of their singing, especially one song in which pathos
was so expressive.
Of the business men, their number compels us to speak brief-
ly, and also promiscuously, as we visited them or met them on
the street.
The Citizen's Bank, we found under the management of its
owner, Mr. S. Plant. This being the only bank to do business for
a large scope of country it receives an extended patronage. Here
we met Mr. E. N. Raynor, superintendent of the Broadland Farm,
who was in on business. Mr. Raynor is a pleasant gentleman and
staunch republican.
M. B. Custer, formerly of the firm Custer & Woods, continues
running their store of general merchandise.
Mr. George Hammill had moved his stock of furniture to his
new store where he has every facility for handling a good assort-
ment of furniture. He is a man of very few words in business,
trades liberally and quickly so as to have more time for having
fun.
Cal called Mr. Mudge from across the street to show us his
new hardware store tobe opened up for business the day following.
The store is to be run under the firm name of Mudge & Co.
J. R. Ocheltree is a pleasant old gentleman, running a fur-
niture store, and makes undertaking a specialty. He keeps a line
of robes and coffins in advance of most stores inordinary towns.
Mr. Ocheltree had recently discontinued taking the Herald on ac-
count of having so much reading matter, and for the sake of econ-
omy ; but without soliciting, said he must renew, as it filled a
want no other paper could, and he found when it was gone he could
not do without it. A subscription is seldom discontinued, and
15
when it is, in a majority of cases, as in this, they renew at the
first opportunity.
Chas. J. Tinkham deals in hardware, stoves and tinware, and
agricultural implements. Mr. Tinkham has been in business 14
years, and makes it a success.
C. P. McClure and J. H. Sharp are the harness men, each hav-
ing a good shop.
Jacob Day and A. Sites are the enterprising butchers and
their shops are samples of neatness. Mr. Day has the finest
butcher shop we have seen in the country, and there are but few
shops of any kind in this county we have not been in.
Waples & Elliott and Upp & Co. represent the jewelry busi-
ness. Each firm has a good line of goods and seems equally pros-
perous .
While it seems we are classing all off in couples we may
speak of Oscar Lewis and J. Seibold who do the custom boat and
shoe making, each in his own shop.
A. T. Custer deals in groceries and queensware, and to speak
of his success and enterprise would be but a repetition of what
we said in the beginning of all the business men.
Mr. Butler next took us to call on his brother-in-law, F. M.
Smith, who has a fine drug store. His building is of brick, with
large glass front and is quite an ornament to the town. As Mr.
Smith is a solid republican, was receiving two copies of our
paper, and owed us nothing; our visit and chat with him would
not be taken as a matter of selfish interest.
E. Stokes & Bro. , have a fine variety of groceries, queens-
ware, stoves and tinware, and boots and shoes.
Mrs. J. W. Reed is in the millinery business. Mr. Reed is a
photographer and expect>s to open up in business as soon as suit-
able rooms can be procured.
Mr. Jones and Mr. Persons are colored gentlemen, each running
a barber shop. They read the Herald along with other papers, are
good citizens and well respected.
A good bakery and restaurant is run by T. J. Dailey.
We called on R. H. Wines, who runs a tailor shop. Mr. Wines
has been there since 1847 and has no notion of leaving.
At the extensive store of Hopkins & Ball we first formed the
acquaintance of one of the clerks, Mr. T. O.Hopkins, who is with-
al a fine looking young man and quite as clever as he looks. He
showed us through four divisions of the store, where everything
is tastefully arranged, and we doubt if the store has an equal
of its kind — general merchandise — in the county. This firm runs
branch stores at Sidney and Philo, which like the headquarters
are prosperous. We afterwards met one of the proprietors, Mr.
Hopkins, and several more pleasant clerks. Mr. H. informed us
that Mr. Ball was in Boston, his old stomping ground, making pur-
chases, and transacting other business. We took from the firm a
large order for printing stationery, which others may have an op-
portunity to examine who want to see how cute and handy it is put
up for use.
L. McWhorter makes a good business of repairing furniture,
and still takes time to read the Herald, with other papers, to
16
keep posted.
A. C. Thayer is proprietor of the Homer House, which is the
only regular hotel in town. Mr. Thayer formerly kept hotel in
Champaign, is a pleasant man and keeps a good house. A good
boarding house is kept by Mrs. R. Hummer.
E. T. Mudge has a drug store and also sells in connection,
in separate apartments, books, wall paper, etc.
Having met him before we did not fail to call several times
to see Mr. J. A. Baker, proprietor of that enterprising sheet,
the Homer Enterprise. Mr. Baker and all the rest of the boys are
clever and have just the material in them to make a spicy paper.
J. E. Spraker & Co. keeps a good line of furniture, and, as
is usual with furniture men, supplies the wants of people with
wooden ulsters.
We did what some one said we dared not do, i.e. tackle Dr.
W. M. Rawlinson for a subscription, since he is strongly demo-
cratic. We soon convinced the gentleman he should have us remind
him of his sins at least once a week and he agreed to take a half
dollar's worth to begin on, and since we give a big dose for the
money at present, and pretty strong too, we hope to do him good.
If it be true that rand democrats are bad men we think him an
exception proving the rule. Dr. Rawlinson receives his title from
his profession as dentist. The doctor is not an ordinary tooth
cobbler that grew up in three months, but a graduate of the Bal-
timore Dental College and an artist in his profession.
We made quite a little call at the Wabash depot where we
found Mr. J. M. Ocheltree, very busy as station agent and opera-
tor. He has for his assistants a handsome and bright little boy
and a no less pretty and intelligent little girl, of whom we
should speak, were it not that owing to their youth and extreme
modesty, we promised to speak nothing of them in our notes. They
will doubtless thank us for this kindness, and when they grow
older, permit us to tell our readers of their excellencies.
Just over the railroad we met Mr. Joseph Thomas, the enter-
prising lumberman. It was just nine years that day, since he had
begun business- there, and taking a retrospective view of the
past, seemed to make him happy. If our readers will notice his
advertisement in our columns they may see how enterprising men
value printer's ink.
Mr. D. Coffeen Jr., and J. H. Caldwell are buying and ship-
ping grain. 0. J. Gillman expects to be in the business soon and
an association of farmers are expecting an extensive grain eleva-
tor to be run in their interests. Since the vicinity of Homer
has the best corn crops in the county, and these facilities for
handling it are offered, they may all look for a continuance of
prosperous times.
We found A. Thompson in his well ordered store of stoves,
farm implements and buggies.
At M. C. Thomas' store we met his genial clerk, who showed
us through his large store of general merchandise. This store,
like the rest, is well stocked and well patronized.
F. H. Gray, instead of keeping a little of everything, con-
fines his business almost wholly to the grocery line.
17
A. W. and E. S. Cusick, George Evans, G. W. Myers and Mr.
Unpenour , well represent the blacksmith trade. Although they are
much similar in being good citizens, they represent quite a vari-
ety of other characteristics. They are republicans, democrats,
and green backers; old, young and middle-aged; married, bachelors,
and widowers; some have all the wives they want; another would
marry if it came handy, and another is almost froze to marry;
but all seemed remarkably happy, as should all who prosper at
honest toil.
The medical profession is well represented by Dr's. H. C.
Shaw, J. B. McCance, W. G. Dunn and Core. As everyone seemed so
healthy, we could but wonder where so many could have the prac-
tice their prosperity would indicate. Doctors are very useful
members of society, but if people would give nature half a
chance, 50 per cent of the doctoring might be dispensed with, and
all would be healthier and happier.
R. C. Wright and C. M. C. Elder, represent the legal pro-
fession.
Mrs. A. Henderson has a millinery and dress making estab-
lishment, which is one of the few places we failed to visit; but
since we would have been incapable of judging, had we called, we
may just as readily recommend her from what we heard from others.
Yates Bros. Store was one of the last places we visited,
where we found a large stock of dry goods and clothing. These
gentlemen are up with the times, and Homer people need not leave
their town to find first class dress goods.
We must not fail to speak of the orderly post office and
confectionery, carried on by Messrs. Core and Butler. Charlie
is postmaster and Cal keeps the confectioneries and cigars, but
each helps the other, which makes their relation very pleasant.
We wonder Cal ever married anyone else than Charlie.
We took occasion to visit the public schools, under the
principalship of Prof. G. R. Shawhan. We visited but the one
room, but judging from the reputation of his assistants, and Mrs.
Shawhan' s known ability to govern, we should count it very good
throughout. The rooms are very much crowded, there being 128
pupils in Mr. Shawhan' s room. This is the worst feature about
the school, and no ordinary hand at governing, could maintain as
good order as is preserved. The pupils are very well behaved,
bright and intelligent. With such teachers and pupils, and a well
arranged school building, Homer school would be one of the best
in the county. It is a success, as it is, and does credit to
the town and county.
There are three churches, Methodist, Presbyterian and Chris-
tian, each of which supports a good Sunday school. We met but one
of the ministers, Rev. S. H. Wftitlock, pastor of the M. E.
Church who seems every whit a gentleman and who is highly apprec-
iated as a minister.
Taking it all in all, Homer is a much finer town than we
had supposed it to be. There is scarcely a business or profes-
sional man in town, regardless of politics, who does not take and
read the Herald. Long may the present good feeling exist.
FLINT
18
HISTORY OF WABASH RAILROAD
In the 1830's, as pioneers settled in Illinois , they realized
that here in their new homes was a need for better transportation
facilities tomove their furs, their crops and their goods to the
markets along the river.
It was this problem of transportation that faced the Illinois
legislature as it convened in the tiny capitol at Vandalia in the
early 1830' s. And the legislators divided themselves into two
rabidly partisan groups.
Those whose boyhood had been spent in the river towns along
the Ohio and the Mississippi were vehemently in favor of an ex-
tensive canal system. The railroad contingent was headed by
Joseph Duncan, a member of Congress who sought financing for the
project in New York without success. Financiers could see no
gain in investing money in a railroad that would span only an un-
populated forest.
By 1834, the fight for better transportation had reached its
peak. Duncan was now governor of Illinois and one of his first
official acts was to recommend a network of roads, railroads, and
canals for his State. Duncan's flowery oratory finally won the
passage of the Illinois Internal Improvement Act, a Bill which
contained authorization for the Study of the State's transporta-
tion systems.
Duncan, in 1834, succeeded in forcing approval of a steam
engine railroad to be built between Quincy, on the Mississippi
River, via Clayton, Mt. Sterling, Meredosia, Jacksonville, Spring-
field and Decatur to Danville and the Illinois-Indiana State
Line. The new Railroad was to be built with State funds.
This new railroad was known as the "Northern Cross," a name
chosen according to some historians, because the line surveyed
for the railroad closely paralleled a well-worn trail known as
the "Northern Crossing" of Illinois and often called "Northern
Cross" although it was actually in the south central protion of
the State. It was the only segment of the ambitious Internal Im-
provement Act to become a reality.
Finally, after several crew changes, the original engine —
called the "ROGERS" — began to serve the 12-mile strip in more de-
pendable fashion. In 1842, aline between Jacksonville and Spring-
field was completed, and in May, 1842, service from Meredosia to
Springfield was made available.
The drama of the building of the Northern Cross Railroad is
the first chapter in the romantic story that is the growth of the
Wabash Railway System, for the lineage of the Wabash can be traced
without a break to the first 12-mile strip over which engineer
Fields operated a clumsy little locomotive between Meredosia and
Morgan City in the fall of 1838.
The year 1847 saw the first change in the new system that
was soon to become known as the Wabash. The legislature of the
State of Illinois authorized the sale of the original track be-
tween Meredosia and Springfield. Nicholas H. Ridgeley was .the
purchaser. He paid the sum of $21,000 for the road, changing its
name to the Sangamon and Morgan Railroad.
19
Ridgeley's purchase turned out well, for at the time the ex-
tension of the road from Springfield to the Illinois-Indiana State
Line had been temporarily abandoned by the State because of the
lack of funds and a short time after his original buy, he was
granted an extension of his charter to include the entire line of
the Northern Cross.
Together with his new partners , Nicholas Ridgeley pushed the
rehabilitation of the line between Springfield and the Illinois-
Indiana State Line. Already railroad traffic was mounting in the
East, and plans were underway for rapid extension of the Eastern
roads to tap the rapidly-developing States of Illinois and Mis-
souri.
Subsequently, on February 12, 1853, the name was changed to
"The Great Western Railroad of Illinois" and trains started oper-
ating to Decatur on May 9, 1854. In the spring of 1855 the San-
gamon River was bridged and the road completed through Homer, the
first train arriving at Danville, Illinois, in November, 1856.
During its entire period of expansion east to the Mississippi
River, the Wabash system served as the principal artery tapping
the great "Heart of America." Other railroads entered Illinois-
Indiana territory served by the Wabash and its predecessor lines,
but these railroads moved only toward the most important cities
of the area and the vast, undeveloped regions which today are the
most productive sections of the Great "Heart"were accessible only
over the tracks of the Wabash.
While the railroads east of the Mississippi were tying Toledo
and the East to the river ports of Illinois and Iowa, west of the
Mississippi the predecessor of the present Wabash Railway System
were writing one of the greatest chapters in American Railroad
history.
A group of pioneer railroad men in 1851 secured a charter
from the State of Missouri for building the North Missouri Rail-
road from St. Louis to the Missouri-Iowa State Line. Actual con-
struction commenced on the first division in May of 185A and on
the second in 1855. The first division between St. Louis arid St.
Charles was opened for traffic on August 20, 1855, and the entire
second division from St. Charles to the State line was opened to
traffic on February 1, 1858. Thus, for the first time, railroad
communication was established between St. Louis and St. Joseph,
Missouri, on the west and Hannibal, Missouri on the east. Until
1864, however, it was necessary to unload all freight and passen-
gers on the east bank of the river, ferry people and the goods
across, and reload on the opposite side. In 1864, a car ferry
arrangement was affected which eliminated the necessity for un-
loading and reloading on the west bank.
In 1879, the Wabash Railroad Company, operating west of the
Mississippi, were merged into the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific
Railroad Company.
In 1889, both the lines east and west of the Mississippi
River were again reorganized, this time as the Wabash Railroad
Co. Since it was not practical to make many improvements during
the war years , the Wabash Railroad has made tremendous improve-
20
ments since then. These improvements include 100 per cent diesel
service along with other outstanding additions.
■
L M. Wiley
First Railroad Depot
21
HOMER FAIR
In the 1890' s fairs were held at the fairgrounds, which was
located one mile north on the west side of the road. Horse rac-
ing, harness racing, and balloon ascension were held during the
warm weather. One man was killed when his parachute failed to
open. According to the records, not all racing was confined to
the track, but it seems that some of the citizens engaged in such
on their way home.
For many years the Homer Theater furnished amusement for the
citizens of Homer. Home talent play, box socials, and medicine
shows were conducted quite frequently. It was there that the first
silent movies were shown, while music was played by home talent
during the showing. The first sound movies were shown here also.
For a while this building was used as a storage place for imple-
ments belonging to C. B. Butler. About 1940 this building was
torn down and moved to the Oliver Smith farm where it was used in
farm buildings.
About the same time the old Homer Theater was discontinued
a new theater was started in its present location — the H. M.
Smoot building.
22
OLD VILLAGE HALL
July 7, 1902, at a meeting of the Village Council it was de-
cided that the Buildings and Grounds Committee should meet with
the Auditing Board of the Township to discuss the proposed build-
ing of a public building. Said building to be built on the vil-
lage lot and that the Village of Homer should be equal owners of
said proposed building.
On August 3, 1903, it was decided an office building should
be erected to be used jointly by the Township and Village author-
ities.
January 4, 1904, the Village President and Clerk were author-
ized by the Village Council to make a deed of the village grounds,
upon which the new building stands, to the Township Officials.
HOMER PARK
When the interurban came to Homer, W. B. McKinley bought the
ground for the Homer Park (not quite 30 acres) from George and
Gertie Eggleston. The site started at the old covered bridge and
ran east. In the spring of 1905, C. B. Burkhardt took charge of
Homer Park and built the first cabin which was on the site of
Old Homer. Numerous other cabins were built, among them "Homer
House," which was located on the east side of the road. This
cabin, "Homer House," was moved with the rest of the buildings
from the south side of the creek to South Homer on a lot just
north of the Presbyterian Church. The Strayhorn family lived in
it for years, then it was moved on a lot back of the I.T.S. Sta-
tion on West Street. From there it was moved to a lot on Caroline
Street, north of the school, where Mrs. Mackey occupied same for
several years. Then Florence Sharp and her mother lived in this
cabin. George M. Porter, in the early days of Homer Park, leased
a site for a cabin, and wanting this old historical structure,
bought it, moving it the fourth and last time back to where it
23
was built — not far from the Old Homer Mill.
People came from far and near to enjoy the amusements of
Homer Park which included boating, dancing, roller skating, swim-
ming, movies, pool hall and concessions. On Sundays and Holidays
band concerts and free acts were held. One of the feature attrac-
tions was a black bear which the children loved to feed. Mr. and
Mrs. Burkhardt retired after 23 years of managing the park. Sev-
eral other managers succeeded Mr. Burkhardt and the park finally
closed in the early 1930' s.
-v X
f
24
Dance Pavilion
Old Covered Bridge - Homer Park
25
c
Log Cabin - Homer Park
Ji
i 1
w^/W*»j*/iiv : :Wi;
WM
Flood
26
HOMER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
After the town of Old Homer had been moved to its new loca-
tion, more people began to settle in and around Homer. The
community grew very rapidly. By the year 1888 eleven school
buildings had been built in what is now Homer Community Consoli-
dated School District No. 208. Ten of these schools were built
in the country within a radius of five to ten miles from Homer.
They were all built on the same order, out of logs or clap boards.
The seats were usually made of split logs and the desks of boards
nailed along the walls. Enrollment ran all the way from 18 to
50 pupils. The following books were used in almost all the
schools: McGuffy's Reader, Ray's Arithmetic, Pineo's Grammar,
Mitchell's Geography, and McGuffy's Speller. Nearly all the
schools were built on ground donated by some farmer and served
the purpose of both school and Sunday schools.
The above described schools are as follows:
Name Location
Clark, 3 mi. N.-l mi. W. of Homer
Wide Awake, 1 mi. 8.-3^ mi. E. of Homer
Liberty, 2 mi. W.-l mi. S. of Homer
Lost Grove, 4 mi. S.W. of Homer
Fair land, A mi. S. of Homer
No. 10, 2 mi. S. of Homer
Poage, 2h mi. N.-l mi. E. of Homer
Randolph, 3h mi. W. of Homer
Maple Grove, 2% mi. E. of Homer
Ray, 3 mi. S.-3mi. E. of Homer
M. D. Coffeen and Samuel Groenendyke donated the west half
of block 37 on the east side of town for school purposes. There
the original four room brick school house was built in 1958. It
was remodeled in 1873 and again in 1879. The frame building was
built in 1887. It housed both grade and high school until 1914.
Professor A. L. Starr was the first principal. The first high
school class graduated in 1885.
Yr. Built
Cons.
1856
1951
1860
1945
1861
1948
1861
1948
1861
1945
1945
1880
1951
1880
1948
1880
1945
1885
1945
Boat Landing
" \ '
o
c
o
a.
a>
\_
a>
o
p
29
Old Dam - Homer Park
: r;':,: ,
■ ',. , -. ■
The Chute - Homer Park
27
In early spring of 1914 five men met at the home of Harvey
Allison and organized Homer High School District No. 302. They
were Mr. Allison, Alva Junkens , J. H. Rutan, Joe McElroy and Loren
Clark. C. D. Babb was elected president. It was decided to
lease the upstairs of the Jurgensmeyer building on the corner of
Main and First Streets, remodel it and use it for a community
high school for seven years. At the end of the seven years a new
building would be erected.
The contract was let in late fall of 1927. The cornerstone
was laid by the Masonic Fraternity February 23, 1928, and the
building was completed in the fall. William Mcintosh was the first
principal and school began in September, 1928. The old grade
school had been remodeled, as were most of the country schools.
In 1945 it was voted to bring the children from five of the
country schools into town and form the Homer Community Consoli-
dated School District No. 208. The five schools were Maple Grove,
Wide Awake, Ray, Fairland and No. 10. The other five soon fol-
lowed and by 1951 all ten country schools had been abandoned.
Several of the old buildings have been sold at public auction and
converted into homes.
The population of the Homer Community Consolidated School
District is approximately 1700. The child census taken in 1951
showed a total of 522 school-age and under school-age children
in the district.
As time progressed, it became evident that a new addition
was needed at the high school if the program was to remain on a
high level. In 1950 plans were made for the addition of a farm-
shop-bus garage building. This building was completed in 1951.
An agriculture class room, farm shop, industrial arts shop and
garage space for four buses is housed in the farm-shop building.
On February 28, 1953, a vote of the people determined that
a new elementary building should be constructed. In the fall of
1953 plans were started and actual construction was soon under-
way. During September, 1954, eight classrooms of the new build-
ing were used. In December the entire building was turned over
to the district by the General Contractor, Crispin Construction
Co., Chrisman, Illinois. The electrical contractor was Judd
Electrical Co. , Bloomington, Illinois and the heating and plumb-
ing was done by Reliable Plumbing and Heating Co. of Champaign.
Mr. Joe Royer of Royer and Davis was the chief architect until
his death. After that, Mr. Davis of the same firm took charge
of the $400,000 project.
Since the new elementary building is adjacent to the secon-
dary building, students of both buildings use the cafeteria fa-
cilities of the new building. In turn, the music students of the
elementary division use the music room located in the high school.
Additional ground was purchased to the north of the existing
areas. The football field was moved from the east site to a posi-
tion in the northwest part of the land.
The new elementary building contains: 8 average classrooms,
1 extra large classroom, one smaller classroom, which is used by
special groups, four rest rooms, faculty lounge, office space,
kitchen-cafeteria, boiler room, gymnasium and 1 dressing room on
31
either side of the gym.
Plans are being made to keep the school abreast of the chang-
ing life that confronts the children. A recent development is
the formation of an all-school advisory council composed of in-
dividuals throughout the district.
In 1966 the Junior High Addition was added to the school. It
consisted of six classrooms: High School Chemistry and Biology
Rooms, Music Room, new offices, restrooms and a janitor supply
room.
32
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Those of the Catholic faith in Homer and surrounding commun-
ities met for worship every Sunday and Holy Day in the City Build-
ing in Homer for several years prior to 1952. By contribution of
the congregation and other voluntary gifts, a building was pur-
chased on E. Wabash Street. This building, the former George
Evans Blacksmith Shop, one of the oldest structures in Homer,
was rebuilt for use as a Catholic Church. A gas heater was in-
stalled and the furnishings and sacramentals were donated by the
Sisters of St. Elizabeth's Chapel in Danville and St. Boniface in
Clinton. The dream of the church started when a missionary priest
held a week's mission in Homer Theatre about 10 years ago. Out
of this mission came plans for a Catholic Church by a few local
people and the determination of Fr. Daniel Monoghan of Philo. A
priest from the Newman Foundation, University of Illinois, Cham-
paign, Illinois serves the congregation at this time.
HOMER CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Church of Christ at Homer was organized the first Lord's
Day in June, A.D. 1856, with 11 members. Eli T. M. Hess was the
Minister in charge. The original members were Samuel, Mary Ann,
Margaret J. and John W. Beach; Diadema Gaston; John and Sarah
Buchler, James E. and Elizabeth Gillespie; T. M. and Nancy Hess.
The first meetings were held by Elder Hess in the M. E.
Church in Homer with services twice a month, but after organiza-
tion they met in a dwelling place for worship. In 1859 they
erected a church on South Church Street next to the railroad.
The membership was 109 at this time with about 150 in attendance
at Sunday School. About 1917 the church building was torn down.
Starting in 1924, services were held in the home of Dr. and
Mrs. J. W. Walton. In 1925, a revival meeting was held in the
Jurgensmeyer building. At the conclusion of this revival the
church was formally organized. Services were then held in the
33
City Building until the fall of 1926. The Church's first Minis-
ter, A. Marion Phar, began his duties in the winter of 1926.
Construction work on the basement of the new church building was
started in the spring of 1926. The building was completed and
dedicated a year later.
In 1960 an addition to the Church of Christ was dedicated.
The new unit, built of stone blocks, added six classrooms, and
two assembly rooms in a two story addition. A new heating unit
was also added.
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
The Methodist Church of Homer was organized in "Old Homer"
in 1839, with Rev. Bradshaw serving as the first minister. The
parish included an area lying between Urbana on the west, to a
point east at Butler's Point near Catlin, and south about eight
miles north of Mattoon. This group was called "Urbana Missions."
The first quarterly conference was held in Urbana in 1840, and
in this same year the first parsonage was built in Urbana. There
were nine preaching places in the group: Okaw, Flat Branch,
Rogers, Old Homer, Salt Fork, Sidney, Sargents, Urbana and Big
Grove.
Old Homer Society remained a part of the Urbana Mission un-
til 1853, when it was separated and set up as a station church.
Because of the vast territory to cover by horse-back, the first
parsonage was sold and the next one built in Homer. The church
services at this time were held in the school house.
On March 5, 1866, George and Rachael Custer deeded the cor-
ner lot on which the present Methodist Church stands to the
Trustees of the Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Jennings then became the
donor of the first parsonage, which was later traded for the pre-
sent location.
The first brick church was dedicated in 1866, at a cost of
$7000. This church subsequently was torn down and the cornerstone
of the present church was laid on July 31, 1902. On July 12,
34
1903, the present Methodist Church was dedicated. The parsonage
presently in use was built and completed at a cost of $8000 in
1912.
On the fiftieth anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone
of the present Methodist Church building, an extensive project of
church improvement was completed, which included a nine-room ed-
ucational annex and a gravelled parking lot adjacent to the unit.
Membership in the church increased over the years to a present
listed conference membership of 616 members. Through the years
the loyalty and devotion of members of this church have been in-
dicated by fine memorial gifts from time to time. Memorial win-
dows in the church bear the names of three men most influential
in making possible the building of the original Homer Methodist
Church: George Custer, Dr. James Core and J. M. Ocheltree.
An addition was constructed in 1972 , when Rev. Harold Fless-
ner was the minister. The consecration ceremony was on September
24, 1972. The $70,000 building included an entryway, cloakroom,
restrooms, classrooms, kitchen, utility room, ministers office
and a large fellowship hall. Much of the work was done by members
of the church. Floor coverings, drapes and other items were fur-
nished by church organizations. Presently there are 410 on the
membership roll.
First Methodist Church
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
On March 7, 1857, the church was organized by Rev. Enouch
Kingsbury and A. P. Flech, with a membership of 17. Before erec-
ting a building they met for worship in the Gilman Hall, which
35
was a frame building where Howard Hess now has his store. One of
the first preachers was Mr. Campbell, a "Curcuit Rider." He died
here and was buried in Old Homer Cemetery. The first church build-
ing was erected in 1872, at a cost of $4500. It was erected on a
lot donated as a gift for a church building site by Michael D.
Coffeen, and he and his wife deeded it to the Trustees in the
presence of C. M. C. Elder of Homer, in the year 1872.
The building was just a plain, one room, rectangular frame
structure with a pulpit in the east end of the room. It was
lighted by a large dome suspended from the ceiling which consisted
of 36 coal oil lamps. These were in use until electricity was
installed, the coal oil lamps being replaced by electric ones.
The entrance was through double doors where the beautiful strained
glass window is now. Mr. Henry Ewing served as janitor for many
years without pay. He rang the same old bell that hangs high in
the belfry, calling pioneers to worship as it is calling today.
The Presbyterian Church, as it has been called these many
years, was incorporated in 1901, and adopted as its corporate
name "The First Presbyterian Church of Homer, Illinois." In 1909
the church was remodeled the second time and in the years follow-
ing additions have been made.
\
if i HI
First Presbyterian Church
36
1935
In 1935 the Homer High School student body held a strike in
protest of the School Board firing of the principal. Some of the
students tentatively identified are: Lowell Macey, Arnold Marlow,
Herbert Mathews, Tom Koehner, Dale Wolf , Roy Tibbets , Roy Marlow,
John Baird, Elmo Bray, Stanley Hardyman, Virginia Wienke, Anna-
bell Smith, Pauline (West) Smith, Delores Tingley Berbaum and
June Loyd on top of the truck. Standing in front of the truck:
Carl Coddingbon, Wilbur McElroy , Wayne Brown, Burley, Tyler, Jim
Allison, Walter Rohrshrieb, Charlotte Rogers Bryan, Jean Baird
Block, Martha Tibbets, Lura Benner, Opel Wells, Donna Strohl,
Nell Davis Taylor, Melton Heater, Don Place, Herman Tracy, Bill
O'Mally, Irma Wiese, Margaret Madigan, Ed Orr, Freeman Riggs, Ray
Price, Mary Tibbets.
1949
Milking the cow is
Herbert Clem; looking
on are: Joe Melton,
Dorsey Chism, Ed Ken-
ney. Youngsters in
background include:
Byron Dodd, Don
Chism, Charley Wild-
er, Jerry Krugh,
Louis Kuhnen.
Herb Clem wanted
fresh milk for his
milkshake so Ed Ken-
ney, owner of the
drug store told him
to bring his own cow
in and milk it.
37
CENTENNIAL - 1955
In December, 1954, Homer began making plans to celebrate
its centennial. A general committee was appointed with Oliver
Smith, president; Paul MacDonald, vice-president; Carlos Brewer,
2nd Vice president; Helen C. Baird, secretary of general planning,
Leslie Krugh , treasurer; Freda Havard , assistant treasurer; and
Kathryn Williams, headquarters secretary. The Centennial was to
be celebrated from May 27 to May 30, 1955. This committee was
assisted by many Homer residents too numerous to mention. On May
2 7 The Homer High School Commencement was held followed by the
dedication of the new grade school. A square dance followed. The
egg breakfast was held at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. Oscar
Baird was chairman with Floyd Fuller, Floyd Reynolds, the school
cooks, and many others helping. It was attended by over 1200
people. The bells were tolled and the headquarters were opened.
There were many attractions with free acts and WLS entertainers.
A parade of the Sisters of the Swish and judging of beards , antique
displays. In the evening was the Alumni Banquet at the High School
followed by a Centennial Dance.
On Sunday, May 28, Sunday School services and union church
services were held. The Buccaneers from WLS entertained in the
afternoon. Babies crowned as King and Queen of Tomorrow were Neal
Denniston and Mary Lou Baird. King and Queen of Yesteryear were
Marion Tracey and Ella Hays, both 89. They were chosen from sev-
eral citizens over 80 years old. A band concert was given by the
18th Infantry Division Band from Chanute Air Force Base. There
was also more entertainment from WLS. In the evening a Pageant
was given followed by fireworks and free acts.
On Monday, May 29, there was a horse-shoe pitching contest.
This was followed by the American Legion Parade and Memorial Ser-
vice at G.A.R. Cemetery with Major Reed as a speaker. At noon
an old time pit barbecue was held, then free acts, WLS entertain-
ers, a uni-cycle act and Chester the Clown.
Homer's centennial celebration was brought to a close with
a pageant and fireworks.
Serving at the Egg Breakfast, during the Centennial, May 28,
1955. Left to right: Art Brown, Mary Baird, Daisy Strohl, Jane
Paulson, Rosalie Robertson, John Morrison, Nellie Morrison.
38
Centennial Belles dressed for church, May 1955: Lefttoright: Ava
Clark, Glenna Bradley, Pauline Smith, Donna Unwiller, Margaret
Unwiller, Virginia Baird, Linda Baird, Helen C. Baird and Ruth
Erickson.
39
CENTENNIAL PARADE
.
StY
SCC I
$1
ll£L£Aft
40
Lions Club Float - Helen C. Baird and Kathryn Williams
Salty Stayton and His Mules
41
HOMER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Prior to the organization of the Homer Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment in August 1939, fires were extinguished by volunteers using
whatever equipment was available at the time. However, under the
supervision of Roy Alsip, Secretary of the Illinois Fireman's
Association and a State Instructor, the Homer Volunteer Fire De-
partment held its first meeting on August 17, 1939. Leo F. Walz
was selected Fire Chief. Twenty-five members made up the depart-
ment. Mr. Walz served as Fire Chief until 1941 and subsequent
chiefs were as follows: Thomas Shroyer 1941-1942, Floyd Reynolds
1942-1943, H. M. Waggoner 1943-1945, Thomas Shroyer 1945 to the
present time.
The Fire Protection District was voted in 1947 and a new
building to house the equipment was built in 1951 just north of
the Old City Building. The district is supervised by three trus-
tees: Don Tate, President; James Wienke, Secretary; and Tom
Shroyer.
The equipment now consists of a F-7 Ford with 500 gallon a
minute pump; Chevrolet with 750 gallon tank; Dodge with a 750
gallon tank; 1500 gallon portable tank; portable generator; 2
resuscitators ; 3 Scott Air Packs, also supply tanks for same;
two-way radios; 2 600 feet 2% inch hose; 800 feet 1% inch hose;
portable pump. The department has a Class A plus rating.
Fifty sections of land are in the District. Each farm has a
number and route card enabling firemen to arrive in a minimum
length of time.
There are now 26 members and regular meetings and drills are
held in accordance with Underwriters requirements. The meetings
are held the first Tuesday of each month.
Picture of the tree
planted by the Lions
Club in front of the
Fire Department.
42
NEW VILLAGE HALL
The building which was built in 1902, was purchased by the
village in 1972 to house village offices and serve as a community
building. Prior to that, village hall was located next to the
Homer Fire Department.
Remodelling of the building began shortly after the village
acquired it and is finished except for the upstairs where the
Recreation Board hopes to restore the town's old opera house.
Besides the water department, the first floor houses the
mayor's office, a conference room, Civil Defense office, South
Homer Township office, meeting room, library, Scouts room, pre-
school classroom, and a kitchen and dining room.
The upstairs of the community building is in the hands of
the Recreation Department. Projects underway include restoring
the gymnasium into the old opera house once in Homer, and remod-
eling the upstairs room and the balcony.
The community building has been used as an apartment build-
ing, the Homer First National Bank, grocery stores, music stores,
doctors offices, storage spaces and until 1928 was used for high
school classrooms. Graduation ceremonies and various other school
activities were held in the gymnasium. The class of 1926 was the
last class to graduate in the gym.
The ticket window, once used to sell tickets to basketball
games and dances, will be restored and used by the Recreation
Board to sell tickets to events held in the gym.
Rooms off the gymnasium will be remodeled into cloakrooms
and offices.
HOMER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
The library was started as a Community Service Project by
Homer Girl Scout Troop #393. Eva Chism was troop leader and
Bobbi Newlin was co-leader.
The library was started with books donated by local citizens.
It was first set up in the old village hall in the northeast room
on the main floor. It was staffed one afternoon and evening a
week by volunteers.
After the Homer Women's Club took over sponsorship the vil-
lage board bought and remodeled the old Jurgensmeyer Building and
the library was moved. After passage of the tax referendum, the
library joined the Lincoln Trail Library System and operated its
first year on borrowed money.
At the present time the library has 2,800 books and is ex-
pected to grow steadily. They also sponsor several Story Hours
and Reading Programs throughout the year.
Mrs. Pat Crutcher is the librarian with Wendy Chism as an
assistant. Members of the library board are Mrs. Barbara Deffley,
chairman; Gerald Webb, vice chairman; Mrs. Betty Lacey; Mrs. Pat
Varvel; Mrs. Mae Jennings; Mrs. Jackie Reeley; and Mrs. Bobbi
Newlin.
43
HOMER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Homer Chamber of Commerce was re-activated in May, 1976.
With the organization of the Chamber of Commerce, a solid base
could be established that would provide the business , professional
men and women of Homer, along with the support of the citizenry
to collectively work for the betterment of Homer.
A local Chamber of Commerce is organized to serve its com-
munity and surrounding trade territory. The major responsibility
of the Chamber of Commerce is the community's overall well being.
The organization meets such responsibility in three steps.
a. Examine the Community needs to determine what must be
done to make our community a better place to live and to
do business.
b. To channel Community resources to fulfill these needs.
c. To organize and develop the necessary leadership to
guarantee that the organization will become an effective
tool in the community.
A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of the
business and community. It unites business and professional in-
dividuals and firms, thus creating a central organization which
lends itself to improving business and building a better commun-
ity. The Chamber of Commerce enables people to accomplish col-
lectively what no one of them can do individually. The strength
of the organization lies in attracting the greatest number of
individuals into a membership of unity.
At the meeting of May 18, 1976, the following officers were
elected to serve one (1) year:
President - Dale Wolfe
Vice President - Gary Laughlin
Treasurer - Maurice Wienke
Secretary - JoAnne Hubert
The Board of Directors and the term to be served were elec-
ted as follows:
K. W. Fish - One (1) year.
Douglas Driscoll and Mike Wakefield - Two (2) years.
Harley Rogers and Jim Wakefield - Three (3) years.
As of July 20, 1976, membership consists of twenty-six (26)
businesses .
By
Jo Anne M. Hubert
Secretary
44
VILLAGE OF HOMER
EMERGENCY SERVICES AND DISASTER AGENCY
ESDA, formerly known as Civil Defense was enacted into law
in October, 1975.
Ernest Wienke, Jr. , first director of Civil Defense in Homer
from 1949 to 1961 helped Homer Fire Department in getting a gen-
erator run on gas in case of power failures and other equipment.
Phyllis Stevens replaced Wienke as director on September 7,
1961. She in turn was replaced by Robert M. Sarnecki in June,
1975. Sarnecki was named as coordinator to comply with the new-
ly enacted law in Illinois.
Other officers for the ESDA in Homer are Mike Stayton, assis-
tant coordinator; Bill Butler, ham radio operator; Roy Woodman-
see, CB communications officer; John Place, treasurer and assis-
tant communication of ficer; Howard Hackney, secretary; and Sheila
Somers, shelter manager.
The local unit meets the first and third Thursdays of the
month in Homer Community Building. After working with woefully
inadequate equipment and space problems, the ESDA has its own
room and fairly new radio equipment.
From June 1975 to April 1976, the storm spotters of Homer
participated in five tornado watches and several since that date.
Several members are in the process of taking Heavy Duty Res-
cue and two members are taking an EMT class at Burnham Hospital.
By Mike Stayton
45
HOMER HAPPENINGS
1955
Homer School Dedicated.
Old Grade School building sold to B. G. Schlueter who planned to
use the material for farm buildings.
Homer Village Board bought the site of the former grade school.
1956
Six sets of twins noted in the area: Jeri and Judy Bear, Scott
and Ann Trees, Ronnie and Donnie Frye, Mike and Diane Stayton,
Hester and Lester Pruitt, Jean and Jane Brandon.
Main Street widened at a cost of approximately $100,000.
1957
Gale Henry named Mayor.
Memorial Stone and Plaque placed in G.A.. R. Cemetery.
Homer bought a police car, town had previously rented one.
Homer Presbyterian Church celebrated its 100th anniversary.
First addition was built onto the school.
1958
Homer Fire Department received a Class A plus rating for the de-
partment.
Village Board named a Park Committee to work with the Lions Club
to develop a park on the site of the old grade school.
Fire damaged the Homer Post Office.
Fire following an explosion damaged the Homer Standard Service
Station.
1959
Severe ice storm hits this area.
Methodist Church dedicated a new organ.
Testing began on soil for probable lake northwest of Homer.
Construction began on a new elevator for the Homer Grain Co.
Second addition built onto the school.
1960
Busenhart resigned as head of Homer Schools. He was a teacher
and superintendent from 1947 until I960.
Anderson Jewelry Store closed.
Lions Club purchased equipment for the Village Park.
Church of Christ build a new addition.
1961
Natural gas service began to residents of Homer.
Violent, wind storm with 3h inches of rain.
1962
Hunter's purchased the Smoot Lumber Company.
1963
Homer received its Zip Code - 61849.
Hess Building, built in the late 1800' s, was razed.
46
Memorial Services held Nov. 25 in the Methodist Church for John
F. Kennedy.
Homer Women's Club sponsored the planting of the Flowering Crab
Trees along Main Street.
Third addition built onto the school.
1964
Jan. 12-13 eight inches of snow, 40 mph winds and 6 foot drifts
gripped Homer.
Floyd Lacey and Russel Shoaf were presented lifetime membership
in the American Legion.
First National Bank Building remodeled.
1965
Homer Grain Company expanded storage facilities by 500,000 bush-
els.
Violent windstorm destroyed the David Dodd trailer home and dam-
aged other Homer property.
Old IGA building, which stood north of Sailor's Recreation, was
torn down.
1966
Funds released for engineering work on Area Conservation Lake.
Jeanes-Kirby Funeral Home gutted by fire.
5000 persons flocked to Homer for Krazy Daze Festivities.
Junior High addition built onto school.
1967
Second ice storm in 8 years.
About 20,000 bushels of corn and a corn dryer were damaged in a
fire at the Homer Grain Company; fire burned for two days.
1968
Homer Lake under construction.
Diane Bolin qualified for finals of Woman's Olympic Gymnastic
trials.
1969
Dale Wolf elected Mayor.
Mrs. Grace Yerkes retired from teaching.
Frank Canady retired after serving as postmaster for 15 years.
1970
Jettie Hocker retired as Librarian of Homer High School.
Homer Booster Club bought bleachers for the Athletic Field.
1971
Homer Village Board granted permission to the Girls Scouts to
start a Library in the Old Village Hall.
Fire gutted Joe Taylor's house early Christmas Day.
Homer Lumber Yard burned.
Senior Citizens organized.
47
1972
Ruth Allen retired after 43 years of teaching.
Village bought the Grab It building.
1973
Methodist Church built its Educational Wing.
1974
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Clay leave Homer Schools after 9 years.
Homer Panthers became Regional Basketball Champs.
William K. Williams family built a concrete boat in their back-
yard.
1975
More than 700,000 bushels of corn piled up at Homer Grain Company
due to a strike of tug boat operators in Baltimore.
Booster Club Drive provides lights for the High School Football
Field.
1976
The Old Homer Depot was razed to make way for a new metal build-
ing.
48
BICENTENNIAL PROJECTS
Homer was named a Bicentennial Community by the National
American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. Signs designa-
ting this have been placed below the population signs at the
Village limits.
The Champaign County Bicentennial Commission has named two
Historic sites in the Homer area. Markers have been placed on
these sites and they have also been listed in a Historic Tours
Guide compiled by the Commission. One of the sites is north of
Homer on Route 49 at the Salt Fork Bridge where the town originally
stood. Later this area was well known as Old Homer Park. The
other is the C. B. Burkhardt home. It was built in 1857 and was
owned by C. B. Burkhardt when he operated Homer Park. Formerly
owned by the Henry Lewis family, it is now owned and occupied by
the Ernie Taylor family.
^■-^M
Approximately 400 persons visited the craft display and
demonstrations held in the Village Hall on April 4. Crafts demon-
strated were: candle dipping, chair caning, rug weaving, leather
tooling, ceramics, quilting, rug hooking, quilling, spinning,
cake decorating, pine cone flowers, corn husk dolls, metal tool-
ing, applehead dolls, tatting, crocheting, knitting and several
other crafts.
49
Candle Dipping - Nondus Wakefield
Rope Making - Dean Chism, Dale Wakefield, Bud Comer
Applehead Dolls - Mildred Hall
50
Spinning - Beth Yancey; Needlepoint
Barb Wakefield
- Bonnie Umbarger; Macrame -
Quilting - Pauline Smith, Ruby West, Lois Horner
Caning - Eva Chism
51
An historical mural on the south side of the Village Hall
shows the History of Homer from the time of the Indian to the
present day. The committee responsible for the mural was Sandy
Bales, Sharon Ambler, Melinda Bales, Tammy Chism, Bonnie Lacey,
Bonita Mullins and Lee Ann Newlin.
A floral flag, planted on the grounds of the American Legion
Post #290, was the Bicentennial project of the Legion and the
Legion Auxiliary.
52
A Bicentennial quilt, made by the Homer Home Extension, was
raffled off at the Fourth of July celebration. The quilt was
red, white and blue, with the fifty states, their state flower
and bird represented.
A Bicentennial Flag and a certificate signed by President
Gerald Ford were presented to Mayor Dale Wolf by Bobbi Newlin,
chairman of the Homer Bicentennial Committee. The flag represen-
tation acknowledge Homer as an official Bicentennial Community.
This ceremony was held during the Fourth of July Celebration at
the park.
The Homer Recreation Board sponsored the Annual Freedom Cele-
bration at the Village Park. A union church service opened the
festivities, followed by a flag raising,- country music, games
and contests, the Second Annual Creeper Races, a miniature trac-
tor pull, fireworks and a dance.
Establishing a local museum is the other lasting project pro-
posed by the Bicentennial Committee. It is hoped that we will be
able to get started on this project this fall. Any proceeds from
the sale of this book will be used to further this goal.
To honor the senior citizens of our community, a list of
the citizens over eighty has been compiled by several persons.
Mrs. Zoe (Dick) Clutter contacted all listed and obtained per-
mission to publish their names and birthdates.
HOMER CITIZENS OVER 80
Helen C. Baird
Helen M. Baird
Charles Carter
Mable Carter
Scott Craig
August 19, 1893
December 22, 1892
October 6, 1889
October 5, 1890
June 13, 1880
53
Clell (Dick) Clutter
Zoe Clutter
Ava Clark
Herbert Clem
Chester Davis
Clara Dees
Maude Dickson
Hattie Edens
Hazel Esworthy
Gordon Freeman
Eva Mae Hardin
Arthur Hardyman
Edward C. Harvey
Jacob Henning
Charles Hillard
Nellie Johnson
Nellie Killian
Chester Kizer
Grace Krukewitt
Cora Maddox
John Madigan
Etta Magers
Lura Maxwell
Clara Mitchell
Robert Morton
William Nussmeyer
Elizabeth Oaks
Marie O'Neil
Claude Palmer
Effie Parker
William Peters
Alicia Place
Anna Rogers
Freda Rohrscheib
Allen Rutan
Anna Rutan
Beulah Satterfield
Warren Satterfield
Ruby Shoaf
Frank Smith, Sr.
Henrietta Smoot
Hattie Strohl
Bessie Sylvester
Duane Temple
Ethel Timmerman
Ellis Tracey
Anna Pearl Walz
Amanda Whole
Reimer Witt
March 3, 1886
February 4, 1890
April 29, 1882
June 17, 1888
October 30, 1891
September 5, 1893
July 30, 1886
February 23, 1892
June 6, 1895
September 21, 1894
January 29, 1891
May 25, 1893
April 30, 1890
December 8, 1885
May 27, 1892
March 29, 1878
December 4, 1894
June 29, 1895
February 27, 1894
March 19, 1891
April 23, 1891
October 14, 1891
June 24, 1890
March 4, 1896
February 3, 1892
July 13, 1893
November 14, 1894
January 18, 1895
November 20, 1892
January 16, 1893
May 10, 1889
January 17, 1892
February 5, 1889
December 25, 1893
May 1, 1891
December 3, 1892
September 18, 1889
August 9, 1882
March 4, 1893
September 2, 1887
December 15, 1891
November 11, 1883
February 17, 1892
September 25, 1895
July 11, 1886
January 28, 1892
November 1, 1891
April 8, 1890
January 3, 1879
54
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank the people who put together
the 1955 Centennial Book and also the following
people who loaned pictures, articles and other
materials used in this book.
Helen C. Baird, Edna Lewis, Ruth Allen, Theresa
Wilson, Dean Chism, Mike Stayton, Joanne Hubert,
The Homer Enterprise, Charley Richards, and Ernie
Taylor.
55
Able Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Alamo Double Square and Western Wear
Allerton Supply Co., Homer
Bailey & Sons - Interior and Exterior
Painting and Decorating
Brewer Chevrolet Co.
CILCO - Central Illinois Light Co.
Clark, J. A. , DO
Coles Variety Store
Country Companies Insurance - Art Brown
Craver, Nolan, Jr. - Attorney
Cromwell Shell
Dale Wolf Real Estate
Danner, Lewis R., Homer Contractor
Davis Hybrid Corn Co. - Robert S. Davis
DeKalb Seeds - Frank Smith
DeKalb Seeds - Kent Krukewitt
Delores Richard's Beauty Salon
Driscoll Pharmacy
Erickson, John E. , DDS
Fashion Beauty Salon
First National Bank, Homer
Fish Insurance Agency
Flowers for All Occasions - Le Ann Benner
Grimes Service
Homer Grain Co.
Jerry's Barber Shop
King Pin Lanes
Kirby Funeral Home
Kustard Kup - Tom and Shirley Mizwicki
Laughlin's Barber Shop
Lee Varvel Real Estate and Tax Service
Mary Jane's Fashions
Moore's Bait Shop
Nancy's Beauty Salon
Pat ton Trucking
Pioneer Seeds - John Place
Pioneer Seeds - Ray, Gary & Ralph Place
Ralph's Body Shop
Roger's Auction
Rohl Custom Colors
Sailor's Recreation
Tropical Paint & Roofing Co. - Russell
and Elnora Shoaf
Vince's IGA
Wakefield Auto Supply
Wakefield-Mullis Hardware
Wakefield Standard
Wienke Shoe Store
Williams, Clyde I. - Drainage Contractor
and Supply Co. - Farm Tiling
TAYLOR PRINTING SERVICE
Champaign, Illinois
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
977.366H752 C001
HOMER PAST AND PRESENT HOMER, ILL.
0112
025395861
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