| Page Views: 1,473 Last Visit to Robinson: May, 2008 I Used To Live Here | Proud To Have Grown Up In Robinson, Illinois by deecat - last update: Jun 22, 2008 |
Small Town America | Welcome Sign As You Enter Robinson |
Robinson, Illinois, rose from the prairie land in about 1843. It was not until 1896 that a Gothic-style courthouse was built in the middle of the town square. The Big Four Railroad was completed in 1871. I really smiled when I read what Ethelbert Callahan wrote as his vision of Robinson's future:
"Twill be but a question of time until Robinson will spread over a vast area of our agricultural land...from chaos to a land of paradise--when we get gas."
Well, gas did come to Robinson, and his prediction did not really come true; however, for many citizens, Robinson is a little paradise in this hectic, chaotic world.
I feel that Robinson citizens should feel joyful that there are people living in the community who value the past and work toward a better future. Such examples of pride should include:
Using the old Schmidt Clinic as the Crawford County Historical Society; the work of the Crawford County Heritage Foundation who is responsible for renovations around the town square such as the new Heath Museum; The Veterans of Foreign Wars using the Big Four Railroad Station as a Veterans Military Museum and Memorial; the new signs honoring Literary son, James Jones; The Crawford County Historical Society's cleaning and repairing tombstones at the Old Robinson Cemetery; and, for all those individuals who renovate old homes and keep their properties looking wonderful.
As a teenager in the 1950s, I don't think that I valued this small town the way I do now. Of course, we had the Sugar Bowl and the Cream Pitcher which today's kids know nothing about. We also had The Vogue Woman's Clothing Store as well as the Newline Woman's Store, the Index with its wooden floors, the Woolworth Five and Dime Store, The Gorden Drive-In Theater, the Lincoln Theater, and that great teen-age "hangout" called The Deck.
We'll never be able to revive those wonderful places and the wonderful memories associated with them, but today Robinson citizens can boast about Washington Park, three golf courses, the new Heath museum, the new Robinson High School and Gym, the new Eagle Theater, Lincoln Trail Junior College; a multitude of beautiful and historic churches, Pride Corner, the New Veterans Military Museum, and many adults who work hard to keep Robinson the beautiful and safe community in which to live. |
| Top Row, 3rd from Right, Third Grade |
|  | My Growing Up Years Spent Here My family moved from Salem, Illinois to Robinson, Illinois when I was eight years old. My very first teacher was Emily Gould, and to this day, she has remained my favorite teacher of all times. [See Photo 1] I was also fortunate enough to have been in the class that went to "Little Brick School" out on Route 33.
Cheerleading played a big part in my growing up years, and one of my fondest memories was when our Eighth Team went to state and brought back the 2nd place trophy. My cheerleading years at Robinson High School prepared me for being a cheerleader at Southern Illinois University. My education also prepared me and inspired me to become a teacher myself.
We lived in 5 different locations in Robinson, and my favorites were on the corner of Howard and Condit Streets and living on Main Street, near the Big Four.
Robinson, Illinois, was an excellent place to grow up, to learn values, and to make lovely memories. |
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| Pros: | "Small, Less Expensive, Patriotic, Compact, Friendly" | | Cons: | "Not Enough Fine Eating Restaurants" | | In A Nutshell: | "A friently small town with kind, caring citizens" |
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 Comments for deecat about Robinson | | | | |
Yaqui Mon Sep 21, 2009 18:07 UTC
Dee, I absolutely love places like Robinson! They are the real jewels of history buffs like myself. Your attentional to detail is excellent! A very very wonderful page that I enjoyed! | misterrabbit Thu Aug 6, 2009 21:07 UTC
This is extremely well done. You are able to find so much when you travel. I enjoy your positive outlook, inquisitive mind, and keen "eye" for beauty. | BruceDunning Sat Apr 11, 2009 17:44 UTC
A lovely town to grow up in-right. I have been through there couple of times, but you bring out the best. Great detail info | nicolaitan Tue Feb 24, 2009 17:02 UTC
superb page - your return home is a rewarding visit to the past for all of us. email to follow. |
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