Gibson City has turned 150 years old in 2021 and as part of our Sesquicentennial celebration we have been, and will continue to, highlight some of Gibson City’s businesses.
At the Moyer Library, in the Gibson City historical area, there is a Gibson City Business District Directory. This is a large 3-ring binder that lists the address of the buildings on Sangamon Avenue from 7th street to include the businesses past 10th street.
It also lists a block East and West of the downtown area. Addresses are categorized with a list of all of the businesses that have been located in the different buildings. Sally Benge, of Gibson City, has been a tremendous asset to Gibson City’s history by keeping this book updated with new business info. Our thanks to Sally for her efforts in keeping this historical book updated for our community.
It’s very interesting to see how many changes certain businesses have made by moving from location to location. It’s also interesting to see the different kinds of businesses that use to be in downtown Gibson City, and some of the listings show the years the business was there.
Many business locations shows there was a fire at some time in the past.
– There have been many butchers, meat markets, dry good stores, dress makers, clothing stores, and general stores over the years. There have been boot stores, shoe stores and shoe repair shops. Barbers, hairdressers, pool halls and restaurants; Attorneys, insurance offices, medical buildings, Banks, Implement and Car Dealers.
A few of the interesting business listings from many years ago:
– MISS SHAW AND MISS YOCKEY DRESSMAKERS – On Sangamon Ave between 10th & 11th
– O.J. PHILLIP’S CIGAR FACTORY – On Eighth street East of Sangamon Avenue
– P. SCHERTZ AND CO. COAL LUMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS – was located at 107 S. Sangamon Avenue from 1907-1925 – see photo attached
– CHRYSTAL THEATER – ALGERS PICTURE SHOW was at 105 S. Sangamon Avenue in the 1890’s and later from 1914-1922 was THE PRINCESS THEATER
– 101 S. Sangamon Avenue, which is where Main Attraction Salon and Spa is now, was 4 different harness shops in its early years; Geo. T. Pearce Harness Shop 1893-1898; then it was Orville Anderson Harness Shop; Krudup Bros. Harness 1904-1913; then W. Krudup Harness & Hardware from 1913-1920.
– 101 N. Sangamon Avenue where Jelco Supply has been since 2019, was many different grocery stores over the years before becoming a Sears from 1971-1985 then Mays Appliance & Home Improvement 1987-2019. From 1908-1929 it was the M.L. Barkow General Store. See attached photo.
– In 1879 there was an organization on Main Street known as The Royal Templars of Temperance.
– One of the most recognizable and historical buildings currently listed as THE STORE since 2016 located at 105-107 North Sangamon Ave. The Burwell Opera House was at 107 1/2 from 1883-1910 and W. S. Lamb and Co. Furniture and Undertaking at 105-107 during the time frame of 1888-1941. (See attached photos)
– The block which currently has the American Legion – The Bayern Stube was once known as Skinner’s Row. 201 N Sangamon was many dry good stores from 1883-1930. It changed businesses many times after, but was almost always filled before currently becoming Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568 in 1991
– 203 N Sangamon Ave once was Frank C Cady Rexall Drug Store from 1911-1913. See photo
– Spalding Lumber Company was one of many lumber companies that inhabited 231 N Sangamon Avenue 1900-1903 with other Spalding named businesses previously there. See photo.
– 208 N Sangamon Avenue, which has been the Fashion Shop since 1965 housed 3 different hotels from 1884-1923.
– In 1902 216 N Sangamon Avenue was H. P. Arrowsmith Billiard Hall and Ashby Bowling Alley. In 1914 that building became Gibson City Bottle Works.
– The address that is now 305-307 N Sangamon Avenue, was Moyer District Library from 1911-2011 and has since then been the GCMS Unit office of Education. But from 1874-1911 14 different livery stables were located on this property.
– Also located at the North end of the business district was Stevens & Means Gibson City Marble and Granite Works. See Photo.
107 ½ South Sangamon Avenue is just one of several locations that has housed many medical practices over the years;
D. A. Sterbini, MD 1946
A. W. Browser, MD 1946
Dr. Paul Sunderland, MD 1947-1951
W. R. Templeton, DDS 1947-1951
Joseph Trampota, DDS 1953
E. L. Etherton, MD 1957
E. E. Timm, Chiropractor 1958
As part of this March business focus during our sesquicentennial, we are going to be highlighting 3 of our longest-standing current businesses.
The oldest corporation in Gibson City is International Foods and Flavors, formerly Central Soya. What started as Central Soya in 1939, later became Solae then DuPont. It most recently changed ownership again and as of February 1st, 2021 is International Foods and Flavors (or IFF).
Gibson City has not only been a major employer for Gibson City over the years, it has been the scenic landmark for those driving to Gibson City from many directions. More on International Foods and Flavors in another article.
The oldest small business in Gibson City (that the committee could determine) is Davis Welding. Located on East eighth street a few blocks east of our downtown, Davis Welding was established in 1949. More on Davis Welding in a future article.
The oldest downtown business in Gibson City is Hood’s Ace Hardware. Ace turns 65 years old in Gibson City this year. The business’ history includes a building fire, moves, major remodeling, and transfer of leadership from parents Ron and MaryAnn Hood to son Jim and Amy Hood. More in an upcoming article.
2021 Sesquicentennial Celebration 