Girard, Illinois – Still Keepin’ the Pace
Nestled a mere four miles south of Virden, in the heart of Illinois, lies the charming village of Girard, Illinois, a community of approximately 2,200 residents. Its history, etched into the very fabric of the land, tells a tale of pioneers, industry, and the enduring spirit of a small American town. The story of Girard, Illinois begins long before its official establishment, rooted in the early 19th century when the vast Illinois prairie began to attract settlers seeking new opportunities.
The genesis of the town’s name can be traced back to a Frenchman, simply known as Girard, who established a sawmill along the banks of Mill Creek. While his first name remains lost to history, his entrepreneurial endeavor left a lasting mark, forever associating his name with the future settlement. By 1834, the area witnessed an influx of pioneers, individuals like W.T. Bristow, Daniel Black, Elisha Smith, Dr. Edwards, and Colonel George Mather, all contributing to the burgeoning community. These early settlers laid the foundation for what would become the vibrant village of Girard, Illinois.
As the population grew, so did the need for transportation and connectivity. A stage line, connecting the state capital of Springfield to the bustling river town of Alton, began traversing the area. Intriguingly, this stage line followed an old Indian Trail, a testament to the land’s earlier inhabitants. This route would later evolve into Illinois State Route 4 and, more famously, become a part of the iconic Route 66, forever linking Girard, Illinois to the nation’s highway heritage.
In 1834, Dr. Edwards and George Mather, recognizing the potential of the area, took the initiative to lay out a townsite. They named it Girard, Illinois in honor of the French sawmill operator. However, their initial plat was never officially recorded, leaving the nascent town in a state of limbo. It wouldn’t be for another two decades that the town would be formally established. In the meantime, in 1835, a mile and a half north of the present-day Girard, Illinois, John Henderson established a stage stop, catering to travelers along the route. He later sold the stop to John Virden, whose name would be immortalized in the neighboring town of Virden.
By 1843, the community had grown sufficiently to warrant the establishment of a schoolhouse. Located in the southwest corner of Girard Township, this humble school was where Elizabeth McCullough imparted knowledge to the young minds of the area, marking an important step in the development of Girard, Illinois.
The turning point for Girard, Illinois came in 1852 with the construction of the Chicago & Alton Railroad through the region. The arrival of the railroad sparked renewed interest in formally establishing the town. In the spring of 1853, Barnabas Boggess and Charles Fink laid out a new townsite, largely encompassing the same land as the unrecorded 1834 plat. This time, the efforts were successful, and lots were sold for $20 each, marking the official beginning of Girard, Illinois.
The first homes began to appear near the town square, with Barnabas Boggess himself bringing in materials from the countryside. Sam Boggess built another home, which also served as the town’s first boarding house. J.S. Warfield established a blacksmith shop, while Harriet Purdy started the first privately operated school.
The year 1854 witnessed a flurry of commercial activity. Alfred Mayfield opened a general store, catering to the needs of the growing population. W.E. Eastman established a drug and merchandise store. J.W. Woodruff built a warehouse and shipped the first carload of wheat from Girard, Illinois, highlighting the agricultural potential of the surrounding area. Daniel Macknett established a lumberyard, a business that would endure for over a century, providing essential materials for construction and development. The establishment of a post office and the first hotel, named the Girard House, further solidified the town’s identity.
On February 14, 1855, Girard, Illinois was officially incorporated, marking a significant milestone in its history. That same year, H. Hall built the first flour mill on Mill Creek, harnessing the power of the waterway to process local grains. The first church was also built, a shared space for all denominations until each could construct its own dedicated building.
William Lancaster established a brickyard in 1857. The brickyard operated until 1898, and many of the buildings that still stand today were made from the bricks produced there, standing as lasting testaments to the town’s early industry. The same year also saw the launch of the town’s first newspaper, the Girard Enterprise. Although it ceased publication in 1879, it paved the way for the Girard Gazette, which continues to operate to this day, serving as the community’s primary source of local news.
In 1858, a public school was built after the town voted to support a property tax to fund its expenses. This wooden schoolhouse served students of all grades until it was destroyed by fire in 1870.
The oldest business in Girard, Illinois, is Deck Drug Store. It was initially established by Dr. Clark in 1865, who also maintained an office on the upper level. In 1884, Lewis Deck joined the practice, running the pharmacy and eventually becoming the sole owner. The drug store remained family-operated until 2001, passing down through generations of the Deck family. After being sold and operated by new owners for a brief period, it closed, marking the first time that Girard, Illinois was without a pharmacy. Today, the building has been transformed into Doc’s Soda Fountain and Deck’s Pharmacy Museum, offering visitors a nostalgic glimpse into the past with old-fashioned treats and a collection of pharmacy memorabilia.
Two years later, in 1867, Bowersox Clothing Store opened its doors. While ownership changed hands several times, it remained in business until 1976, serving the community’s clothing needs for over a century. That same year, F.W. Ring arrived in Girard, Illinois, and opened a bakery and restaurant. A well-educated and accomplished musician, he also organized and trained a band that became renowned throughout Central Illinois. The band traveled by train to various celebrations, providing entertainment and enhancing the town’s reputation.
The fortunes of Girard, Illinois took a significant turn in 1869 with the sinking of the Girard Coal Mine. Over the years, Girard, Illinois became home to nine different mines, employing as many as 600 men at their peak. The coal mining industry brought prosperity and growth to the town, shaping its social and economic landscape. However, the closure of the Girard Coal Mine in 1922 dealt a significant blow to the community. Today, only one mine remains in operation.
The St. Nicholas Hotel was built on the south side of the square in 1870, providing lodging for travelers and visitors. The same year, a new two-story red brick school was constructed, featuring eight rooms and seven teachers, reflecting the town’s commitment to education. The State Bank of Girard opened in 1873 and operated for decades, providing financial services to the community.
By 1870, Girard, Illinois was a thriving community of approximately 1,500 people. It boasted three steam flour mills, a butter and cheese factory, numerous merchandise stores, a lumber yard, two hotels, and five churches. The school served around 400 students, reflecting the town’s growing population and emphasis on education.
In 1879, a fire erupted in a coal mine shaft while all the miners were underground. The townspeople, terrified for the safety of their loved ones, rallied together and dumped every bit of salt in the city into the shaft, ultimately saving the miners from certain death.
A Lock Factory was established in 1880 and operated for the next 40 years, adding to the town’s industrial base.
Dodson’s Opera House opened in 1893 and served as the town’s cultural center. It hosted road shows, vaudeville companies, musical troupes, and home talent productions. Later, it also became a venue for showing first-run movies, providing entertainment and cultural enrichment for the community.
Throughout its coal mining years, Girard, Illinois continued to thrive. Its public square was lined with various businesses, offering goods and services often not found in smaller towns. Unfortunately, many of these early buildings, constructed of wood, were destroyed by fire over the years. However, when rebuilt, they were constructed of brick, demonstrating the town’s resilience. The last two frame buildings were destroyed by fire in March 1909. Later that year, in October, a more significant fire destroyed the businesses of ten men on the west side of the square, even though they were built of brick. The fire was suspected to have been started by a burglar because the safe of Dr. Riffey’s drug store had been rifled. The following year, another fire claimed several buildings on the square’s northeast corner, including the Girard House Hotel.
The first cement highway to raise Illinois out of the mud stage was State Route 4, passing through Macoupin County from north to south. It was built through Girard and Virden Townships in 1921. Girard, Illinois then began to improve its streets, starting with the paving of the square and the oiling and rocking of other roads.
The year 1922 was a challenging one for Girard, Illinois, as the closing of the Girard Coal Mine dealt a significant economic blow to the community. Adding to the hardship was a mining disaster that occurred in December. When gas ignited an explosion in an unused part of the mine, several men were riding through the tunnels to the bottom of the shaft. The men in the first car were severely burned. One man died from his wounds, and 16 others were injured.
In 1926, Illinois State Route 4 was designated as Route 66, bringing many travelers through Girard, Illinois for the next four years. The designation was removed in 1930 when the road was realigned through less populated areas to the east.
After World War II, the town experienced a decline as people increasingly drove their vehicles to larger cities for shopping.
Today, Girard, Illinois maintains a population of approximately 2,200 residents and offers visitors a glimpse into its rich history. Several historic buildings still stand on the square, including the Ring Building, located on W. Center St. on the north side, featuring Mesker ornamental sheet metal and cast-iron facades that were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The former People’s Bank building, organized in 1893 and built in 1919, is also located on the north side of the square. Unfortunately, the bank was a casualty of the Great Depression. An old brick building on the northeast corner displays a fading ghost sign on its side, designating it as the Hall Brothers Lunchroom.
The classic 1950s Whirl-A-Whip Drive-In at 309 N. 3rd St. still offers food and 50 flavors of ice cream during the summer months.
A "must visit" is Doc’s Soda Fountain/Deck’s Drug Store Museum, located at 133 S 2nd St on Girard, Illinois Square. The store operated under three generations of the Deck family for 117 years before being sold.
Just four miles down old Route 66 lies the small town of Nilwood, Illinois.