This is a picture taken of the Yorktown General Store in Yorktown , Il.
The photo is not dated but I am guessing it is from the early 1900's.
I do see electric poles and wires in the photo and next to the wagon is a bicycle.
Documentation has been found by the stores current owners that my ggggrandparents Eunice & Withcher Dow once owned the store in the 1800's and on the othere side of my family a small ruby glass pitcher given away as a promotional item lists my great uncle William Pierceson as the proprietor of this same store in the early 1900's.
Over the years this store has changed hands many times and has been a general store, a hotel, had gasoline pumps out front, an apartment house, and then sat idle for many years.
4-5 years ago the present owners restored the original tin ceilings and hardwood floors and put in an antique glass & wood candy counter. I was in the store after it was renovated and it was wonderful!
The store opened with penny candy, soda pop, hand crafted items ( including some hand crafted primitive furniture), and fabric. Also a few small tables and chairs so customers could sit & chat over coffee or iced tea.
I bought a lighted salt box house and star tin cannisters and some fabric and was quite pleased with my purchases.
The owners both worked other jobs so the store was only open on the weekends in the summer and fall.
Alas it was the only seaon that the store was open. I am not sure why but perhaps Yorktown has such a small population and Yorktown sits in an area far away from any main high ways.
I do know they had asked the state of Illinois for a sign on the main highway to direct more people to the store but were denied. That is such a shame as in my mind pieces of history like this should be preserved, shared and enjoyed. Too bad the state of Illinois and the community surrounding Yorktown just didn't get it.
